Report from Døgnvill festival in Tromsø

Just saying the name Tromsø feels like a mouthful of cold wind and reindeer fat. Tucked far above the Arctic Circle, this Norwegian outpost isn’t the kind of place you’d expect to find thousands of music lovers losing their minds to global headliners. But then again, Norway’s full of surprises.

Døgnvill is a kind of arctic music festival, where snow-capped mountains are seen from the festival area and cold air vapor exhumed from the bands on stage. Most festivals I’ve been to have had very strict policy regarding under-aged visitors and alcohol, but this one was clearly an exception. Perhaps to survive the cold rain?

However, this was their fourth year as a festival and several well-known artists had turned up to defy the chilly weather. The Tromsø-originating band Bel Canto had their original band setting for the first time in 20 years, including Geir Jenssen of Biosphere fame.

Anneli Drecker, Bel Canto live at Døgnvill.

The national heroes of a-ha entered the stage on Friday and people loved every second of it. Morten Harket charmed the ladies and showed that he can still take the higher notes, even though he managed to crack the voice during the high notes of Stay on these roads. Anneli Drecker from Bel Canto joined the stage for two songs.

Morten Harkett, a-ha live at Døgnvill.

The prince of darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne descended upon Tromsø and got the audience in metal mode. I wouldn’t want to swap places with the tshirt-wearing teenagers in front row that were splashed by Ozzy’s foam hose. Hello pneumonia.

The Prodigy ended the festival, making the audience jump like crazy despite pouring cold rain. Thank you Døgnvill, and good night. Now I just need a warm bath for a day or two.