Revellers flocked to the intimate G! Festival to celebrate some of the Faroe Islands' best music talent and champion emerging artists from around the world.

An intimate indie rock festival held in the Faroe Islands, the 400-person town of Syðrugøta plays host to the three-day event, G! Festival. Celebrating some of the best talent the islands have to offer while championing artists from across the world, it is a unique experience in one of the most captivating locations in the world.

 

The Faroe Islands have so much to offer, with the day of arrival bringing a mesmerising bus journey through otherworldly landscapes, leading to a hike across the mountains. Scouting out for famous puffin’s and observing the many natural phenomenons, the trip was sensational, with the view from the top proving breathtaking. Meanwhile, the drive across the mountains provided an insight into the Nordic myths of The Giant and The Witch, and a view of arguably the most remote football stadium in the world, sitting in the middle of the Atlantic.  A truly transcending journey prior to music starting for the day. 

 

Whilst the majority of the day saw rain, arriving back at the festival site brought glorious sunshine. A setting heightened by the hot tubs and sauna that sit on the beach, for an excellent opportunity to refresh, revitalise, and ensure all were ready for a strong lineup of music. The first act of the first day saw Dutch band Personal Trainer, who brought their eccentric energy to The Playground stage, with each member contributing something unique to the band’s chemistry. Moreover, heading towards the main stage saw Samba Toure who were responsible for the sundown set, which proved a masterstroke with the sun hanging over the mountains in bright weather for the duration of the performance. 

With the sun going down and the music continuing at a great pace, the excitement was all set for the main stage. Das Body played the penultimate set of the evening, bringing their innovative pop style that combines intricate lyricism with strong rhythms, and frontwoman Ellie Linden, who has a natural energy capable of leading the band into exciting new territories. With the music escalating, Danish hip-hop trio Specktors entered the fray and taking no prisoners. Their set was electric, engaging, and fuelled by pure Scandinavian excitement that resonated throughout the festival in what can only be described as a seriously high-octane performance. 

The second day of the festival championed arguably the island’s biggest artist, Eivor. Rain is quite a common occurrence in the islands, however, the natural mist and the heavens opening up added to the spine-tingling brilliance from the artist’s exceptional performance. She looked fearsome, with a voice that accentuated this persona, and a fitting set for such a powerful performer. UK artist Jamie Grey followed on The Playground stage, and appeared slightly overwhelmed by the support from a foreign nation, but it was undoubtedly deserved. In the early evening, one of Norway’s most popular exports of the past decade, Highasakite, took to the main stage in captivating style. Then it was back to The Playground Stage for a vibrant and emphatic set from Danish/Tanzanian artist JJ Paulo, who infused hot African grooves mixed with icy trap beats. Day two finished with arguably the highlight of the day, Aggrasoppar. An electric collective who combine elements of hip-hop and nu-metal, in what is an extremely refreshing sound, the group seem fuelled by the prospect of navigating their way through the industry. Multiple members of the collective are ascending on their own solo journey, but as a group, the on-stage chemistry is unbreakable and a real spectacle to observe. 

The final day of the festival started with a boat tour around the idyllic islands. This was quickly disrupted by a raucous yet brilliant set by Joe and The Shitboys, who performed post-punk songs from their catalogue, likes ‘FUCK EVERYBODY’, and ‘Life Is Great You Suck’. Meanwhile, back on the mainland, there was a presentation of some of Norway’s finest rising artists, with Bergen-based Nelly Moar instilling her mesmerising RnB sounds, followed by emerging rap star, Ash Olsen, with her abrasively open lyrics and fiery yet charismatic attitude. Heading back over to the main stage saw Of Monsters and Men. The Icelandic group are known for their love of the Faroe Islands, and they put in a performance that emphasised this sentiment. As they reeled off songs from their extensive catalogue, with many if not all knowing the words to their biggest hits, like ‘Little Talks’, ‘Dirty Paws’, and ‘King And Lionheart’, they displayed a very special concert, from a band that know exactly how to enthral an audience. 

Syrian sensation, Omar Souleyman, performed back over at The Playground stage, bringing his highly energetic version of Dabke: a traditional folk dance that originated in the Levantine region of the Middle East. Coolness personified, he brings a style of music that you simply can’t look away from; the art of being a performer has clearly been instilled in him. Closing the mainstage for what had been a carefully curated and stunning lineup saw Faroese hip-hop duo Swangah perform. They came with the archetypal hip-hop sound reminiscent of the late ’90s, and early ’00s, with an enormous amount of respect from the G! Festival crowd behind them, the raw emotion and talent carried them through an extraordinary show. 

There is something very special about G! Festival, in the passion the Faroese have for their performers and the respect they have for those that travel over to the the idyllic settings and mysteries behind the island. It’s a very special experience, in a remarkable location, and a fantastic insight into a country with an incredible passion for music and culture.