We are about eight months away from the next Øya Festival, but there is already a high pace on both artist confirmations and ticket sales. Today we can drop three women who have released amazing albums in recent months, and a band that is going to release an album it is worth looking forward to next spring.

Multi instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, THEA HJELMELAND released this very good album ‘Kulla’ this autumn and toured the biggest cities in the country. The concerts were well received and confirmed that she is a live artist not to be missed in Tøyenparken. Solar Plexus from 2014 gave her well-deserved attention from critics and a larger audience. In addition to releasing three albums, she has composed for film and theatre.

This time I have used humor as a barbell to write stories with challenging feelings. The music is energetic and playful, rhythmic and melodic. I needed something to dance and scream a bit until now.

Behind the name of PHARAOHS is Kari Jahnsen, who lives and works in Berlin. A short while ago, the album Pure-O, a sequel to the debut Till It’s All Forgotten (2015) was released. The new record has received a good reception and amongst the inspirations for the music Twin Peaks, East Block Disco, Synthop and RnB is mentioned. With analogue syntheses and a broad musical range, she shows good development since the debut. Pure-O is filled with exciting unpredictable pop music in the border between organic and cool. Pharaoh is going on a tour of both Europe and the United States during the winter and spring.

BIG THIEF is a quartet from Brooklyn who have recently released the two great albums Masterpiece (2016) and Capacity (2017). Just before the 2019 festival season, the third album will be out. Capacity was one of the absolute favorite albums for SPIN, NPR, Rough Trade and the BBC in 2017. Vocalist Adrianne Lenker’s amazing songwriting continues to give the band new fans. Big Thief blends musical indie ethics with a clear folk inspiration, in a very tasteful way.

BIG THIEF has been touring with people like Conor Oberst, M. Ward and Eleanor Friedberger. In August they take their muted and close songs to Tøyenparken.

KADHJA BONET’s mix of styles is often referred to as psychedelic soul, but features elements from jazz and people. She debuted with The Visitor in 2016 and followed up with Childqueen in the summer of 2018. The album was recorded in studios in several European cities, and with Bonet on all instruments and in the producer chair. KADHJA BONET grew up in a musical family in California and is a multi talent few are able to meet. During the Øya Festival you can experience her delicious songs in green summer environments.

Ticket and accommodation packages for Øya Festival 2019 in Norway are on sale now from our friends Festicket, Europe’s largest music festival travel website – just click the image below and choose the deal that works best for you!