The fact that the festival takes place in an open-air public bath creates a unique atmosphere, and if the hot summer weather kicks in, you can combine a refreshing dip in the pool with an unforgettable concert experience!

Norwegian Wood draws a broad audience – you find a dense crowd of people of all ages in the grass hill in front of the stage. There is no age limit to get in!

Through the years, the main stage has hosted artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Sting, Bryan Ferry, Tori Amos and Lou Reed. While the Underwood stage gives up-and-coming Norwegian bands a chance to present themselves to the festival crowd.

More info: www.norwegianwood.no

Since the first independent Ultima Festival in 1991, over 1500 works by 560 composers from over 40 countries have been performed, and 260 works have had their world premiere at the Festival. One of the main objectives of the Ultima Festival is to promote public interest in innovative art in Norway, and the festival seeks thereby to contri bute to the struggle against conformity, challenging the consciousness of the time, like all contemporary art through the ages. The festival is therefore naturally open to new international impulses. Ultima is also an important source of commissions and engagements for composers and performers. Ultima takes place over 10-14 days in September/October each year.

The performances are held in 15-20 separate venues all over Oslo, ranging from the Oslo Concert Hall and the University Aula with its murals by Edvard Munch, to intimate jazz and club venues such as Blå and the Parkteatret theatre. Ultima’s audiences have increased from an initial 10 000 to 18 000 in 2002. This increase refl ects a growing interest in new, innovative music and related art forms, particularly among the younger audience members.

For more info visit: Ultima