The annual Nordic music festival and conference in Oslo known as by:Larm attracted rave reviews after it ended this weekend. One critic called it an “irresistible tumult of new music,” and a teenager from Bergen stole the show.
The packed concerts delivered by 17-year-old Hannah Emelie Grung, better known as Halie (pronounced “Holly”), were branded as “the start of something big” by state broadcaster NRK. “Halie is the new shooting star in the Norwegian pop heavens,” claimed NRK’s reviewer on Monday. Halie herself was taking it all in stride.
“It’s so strange to read about yourself, and folks are talking about me,” Halie told NRK. “It’s positive for me and my music. It creates some pressure, but good pressure. It makes me work harder.”
Geir Rakvaag, music commentator for newspaper Dagsavisen, wrote that as always, “we cast off into the night and got to see tomorrow’s stars close up.” The band Bokassa was dubbed the new “Trønderrock,” while Lil Halima from Bardu served up “beautiful” R&B. The festival attracted industry officials and talent scouts, and artists from all the Nordic countries. Fans were already looking forward to next year.
newsinenglish.no staff
