Last year, Supersilent celebrated their tenth year as a band at Blå in Oslo, and among the guest artists was trumpet guru Nils Petter Molvær. Now they’ve decided to work together again, on the occasion of the Øya Festival in August. We’re truly happy to present this combination of talented Norwegian musicians to a large audience in the Medieval Park

In 2008, the Øya Festival will present many groovy Nighttime Øya concepts. Nighttime Øya refers to several parties and concerts taking place throughout Oslo during the festival, after the main festival area closes at 11 p.m. In cooperation with our good friends and partners we’ve booked some hot acts and DJs to keep the festival groove going into the night for as long as you can manage to stay on your feet. Today we’re releasing the first tidbits for this year’s Nighttime Øya events. A valid Øya wrist band will grant you a discount at each of these events/venues.

Kaizers Orchestra hasn’t played at the Øya Festival since their debut album made them a Norwegian household name. We felt that it was time that the boys – who’ve currently sold about 30.000 copies of their fourth album, ‘Maskineri’ – paid us another visit. Kaizers Orchestra will perform on our biggest stage on Wednesday Aug. 6, the same day as Nick Cave and his Grinderman, Iron & Wine, José Gonzales, Girl Talk, and The Mae Shi are due to play the Medieval Park. In addition, Grand Island has been confirmed, out now with the amazing second album ‘Boys & Brutes’.

5 days, 5 releases, 5 bands: band #5

Dark Meat represents an extraordinary concert experience. The line-up is extensive, and there’s an abundance of musical impressions. Sometimes they come across as a marriage between Black Mountain and Polyphonic Spree, other times as the weird cousins of Mudhoney and Devendra Banhart. Listen to the freedom rocker “Freedom Ritual” or the violent “One More Trip” if you need convincing. This is Flower Child rock of the most exquisite quality. This band is a festival band with a capital F, and you don’t wanna miss ‘em at this year’s Øya Festival.

5 days, 5 releases, 5 bands: band #4

On April 21 The Night Marchers’ debut album, ‘See You in Magic’, will be out on guitarist and singer John “Speedo” Reis’ own Swami Records. On it are thirteen tracks of out-of-control, pedal to the metal, punk-energized rock’n’roll. In other words, this is sweaty and catchy rock of the finest brand. These boys have backgrounds in Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Sultans, Mule, Delta 72, Bardo Pond, and Beehive & The Barracudas, and CPC Gangbangs. In August you can go see ‘em in the Medieval Park.

5 days, 5 releases, 5 bands: band #3

The new album of American act The Dodos, ‘Visiter’ (French Kiss Records), might very well become one of the biggest album surprises this year, according to the Øya booking crew. The duo consists of guitarist/singer Meric Long and the eager percussionist Logan Kroeber, who both wanted to make psychedelia-sprinkled folk and pop. Their music never becomes just weary string plucking, as they’re not afraid kick it into high gear, both energy- and tempo-wise.

5 days, 5 releases, 5 bands: band #2

The Mae Shi really get the crowd going and actually remind us a bit of Les Savy Fav, who played a legendary gig at Øya in 2006. Their album has received rave reviews in the UK, with a 9/10 in NME and an 8/10 at Drowned in Sound. Soon, the Norwegian press is also likely to discover this awesome, original, and unafraid band.

5 days, 5 releases, 5 bands: band #1

Fleet Foxes say they’re into “baroque harmonic pop jams”. Just what they mean by that you can find out for yourself by checking out the EPs ‘Fleet Foxes’ (2006) and ‘Sun Giant’ (2008). In early June they’ll be out with the album ‘Ragged Wood’ on legendary label SubPop in the US and the amazing Bella Union in Europe. Two months later they’ll be making their Norwegian live debut at the Øya Festival.

Tomorrow, yet another hot act will be added to the Øya bill.

Four new names have now been added to the Øya bill. Soul pop genius Jamie Lidell will be coming to the Medieval Park in August. In addition, gifted Norwegian song smiths El Cuero, Thom Hell, and Tommy Tokyo & Starving For My Gravy.

More names will be released next week.