Vill Vill Vest Festival: A Hidden Gem in Norway

The revelation of Norway boasting a second showcase festival came as a delightful surprise to us. Introduced at C/O pop in Germany, the details sounded promising, prompting our journey to Bergen, Norway, for the 7th edition of Vill Vill Vest Festival held from September 1 to 3, 2022.

The conference unfolded at Kulturhuset, a central hub with multiple floors and ample meeting spaces. While some conferences were conducted in Norwegian, presenting a slight challenge for foreigners, we found ourselves engrossed in networking and discussions within the surrounding areas. The festival organizers were generous with parties and events, with a standout being the boat ride around Bergen’s breathtaking fjords. This unique experience facilitated easy interactions with the entire Norwegian music industry, creating an atmosphere conducive to making meaningful connections. Additionally, the festival strategically focused on the UK, inviting influential names from the British music industry.

Categorized as a midsize festival, Vill Vill Vest featured around 75 artists, predominantly Norwegian. What set this festival apart was the meticulous selection of artists, showcasing diversity and avoiding the common pitfall of letting booking agencies fill the lineup with subpar bands. The range of performances spanned from old-school punk rock to smooth R&B. Kulturhuset served as the festival’s central hub, hosting some shows, while most venues were conveniently located within a 10-minute walk.

Norway, often considered a white spot on the map, operates independently of the EU, with its own unique life and rules. While BY:Larm has long been the dominant showcase festival in Oslo, Vill Vill Vest emerged as a refreshing alternative. Unlike BY:Larm, Vill Vill Vest offered a central point of convergence, a diverse lineup, and a more conducive environment for business interactions. The festival brought Norway back into focus, encouraging industry professionals to bypass Oslo and explore the vibrant music scene in Bergen.