Oslo World about to kick off

There are many close ties within the country’s festival network, and we share a particularly special connection with the team behind Oslo World. Oslo World runs from Tuesday, October 27, to November 1, with events taking place on stages all across the city. Here are our top festival picks!

Gamelan Shockbreaker at Riksscenen, Wednesday at 20.00

A playful encounter between Norwegian electro-jazz legends (such as Bugge Wesseltoft, Nils Petter Molvær, and others) and virtuoso Indonesian performers of one of the world’s most fascinating and influential musical traditions.

Inger Hannisdal at Kafé Hærverk, Wednesday at 21.00

Brand-new music from an outstanding violinist and composer that bridges the gap between Arabic and Norwegian traditions, backed by an all-star band: Frode Haltli, Adrian Myhr, Andreas Winther, and Khalid Laaouam.

Mazaher at Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, Thursday at 18.00

On Thursday, you might just want to stay put at Victoria. First up is Mazaher, one of the few remaining ensembles that practices zar — an ancient, ritualistic, and hypnotic musical tradition.

BCUC at Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, Thursday at 21.30

…and then you can catch the South African group BCUC, who play an incredibly energetic, danceable, and punk-infused brand of Afro-funk, complete with vuvuzelas and a wild rhythm section. The atmosphere at Victoria was electric the last time they played there.

Los Thuthanaka at Blå, Friday at 22.30

One of the most significant experimental music sensations of recent years—whose work topped Pitchfork’s list of best albums last year—will perform their first-ever concert in Norway at Blå this Friday, as part of Oslo World. Bolivian psychedelic futurism infused with Andean rhythms, noise, and field recordings—performed by a mysterious duo.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Cosmopolite, Saturday at 18.00

A visit to Cosmopolite is a must during Oslo World; on Saturday, for instance, you can catch the cult Canadian musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland. He began his career in the 1970s, blending folk-jazz with elements that would later intersect with New Age minimalism and early Detroit techno—and in recent decades, he has finally achieved his breakthrough. A powerful voice, delivering unforgettable live performances.

See full program at osloworld.no!