In five words
Rainy, scenic, urban, independent, village.
Sound of the city
For me the sound of Bergen is rain and footsteps on cobblestones. This is a recording of little Sonja, who’s one and a half years old, running through the drizzling rain across the cobblestone on the way to her friend’s birthday party.
Everyone’s tuning into …
Bergen’s own comic and musical megastars Ylvis are still hugely popular in their hometown. Check out their Youtube-channel for a glance into Bergen’s somewhat surreal sense of humour.
Best current venue
My favorite venue is Bergen Kjøtt, located just a stone’s throw from the famous Bergen Wharf. It used to be a meat factory, but now hosts nearly 300 local artists within various art forms hosting public exhibitions, concerts and performances. It also houses several of Norway’s leading recording studios. The place has been in the media a lot over the last two years – as the new building owners wants art out and profit in; while the artists have dug their heels in and are refusing to leave.
Who’s top of the playlist?
One of Bergen’s hardest working up-and-coming acts is the JazzRock-cum-ProgRock outfit Seven Impale; an outstanding gathering of musical talent with references to everything from the groovy 70s to contemporary soundscapes and jazzy experimentation. They perfectly capture the independence as well as originality that defines the true sound of young Bergen.
Favourite local artist
I’ve never experienced poetry as vibrant and cool as when performed by Bergen youngster Erlend Nødtvedt. He combines the new and old in both content and language and draws from Northern Mythology and class division in Bergen at the same time. It is all in the broadest Bergen dialect, but check out the poetry short flick “Norangsdalen”; and you will feel his groove nonetheless.
Look on the street
Bergen is full of indie, metal and electronica people; we all try to give the impression we’re not following trends – which is a look on its own, I guess. The Bergenser probably most known for creating the look that is in now would be T. Michaels. He’s the go-to guy when the independents want to look sharp.
Best street art
Dolk from Bergen has managed to hide his identity to this day, and has made some of the most iconic street art in and outside the city. “Wheelchairs” is located near a parking house in Bergen downtown. As with his other works, it highlights human interaction and emotions through quiet, understated stencils.
Best cultural Instagram?
Landmark / Bergen Art Hall is the place for contemporary art; exhibitions, installations and performances. They also happen to host a bunch of great concerts in the ‘not necessarily accessible and commercial , but bursting with artistic integrity’ end of the scale. A great place for coffee and a bite to eat too.
What’s the big talking point?
The local political election is coming up this autumn, and Bergen politics has been particularly chaotic these last years. The mayor was accused of corruption, politicians are resigning left and right over the plans for a city tram through (or not through, that is the question) the historical Wharf area, our much loved culture politician left Bergen for Parliament– got busted for drug use – and is now making a comeback in Bergen. And so on. So the talk is basically more of an ongoing attempt at understanding what it is going on.
What your city does better than anyone …
Bergen does original and resounding music like no one else. Whether it is the strangely comfortable darkness in Røyksopp’s bangers, churning metal-riffs from Enslaved, the jazz-thrills from Kjetil Mølster or introvert pop from Erlend Øye (aka The Whitest Boy Alive) – it is all “made in Bergen.”
Comedy Gold
The locals put pride in being funny – all the time. It does not always translate, but outsiders appreciate the effort – and the unflinching belief in our own comedy skills. Bergen’s funniest and possibly most successful comedian is named Dagfinn Lyngbø – who mixes Bergen naiveté, sharp observation and a love for music and sound.
Moment in history?
When Rolling Stones played Bergen in 2006, it was the beginning of Bergen as a major concert city. No longer did we have to travel over the mountains to Oslo to see our favourites; Iron Maiden, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Foo Fighters… and the greats keep coming.
From me
Ivar Peersen aka Ivar Bjørnson is a bearded beer-loving musician, composer and producer from Bergen. His black metal band Enslaved are currently touring the UK and US until December.
Five to follow
• This article was amended on 22 September 2015 to correct the spelling of Erlend Nødtvedt’s name.
