Music
From classical to metal, Bergen has a selection of venues to hear different types of music.
Venues
Det Akademiske Kvarter
The Student Culture House houses several concerts a week.
Grieghallen
As Bergen’s cultural grand hall, Grieghallen is home to the Bergen National Opera, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BIT20 ensemble. This venue also hosts other events and sometimes hosts a free concert for students each semester.
Hulen
The oldest rock club in Northern Europe, Hulen is a student run concert venue and pub in a former Second World War bomb shelter. The name Hulen is translated into “The Cave”, a fitting name for a venue situated underground. Hulen hosts both well-established and up-and-coming artists from genres such as rock, indie, heavy metal, hiphop and jazz. Hulen's own DJs also host popular events every Saturday. Great music and a crowded dance floor are guaranteed.
Kråken
This is the place to get your rock and metal fix. Kråken has games and drinks in addition to live music.
Landmark
Landmark is another small, live music venue that is located within the Bergen Kunsthall and also features a café, bar and nightclub with club nights.
Østre
At Østre, you can hear experimental and electronic music, as well as see exhibitions and art installations, in a small, intimate space that holds up to 200 people.
USF Verftet
USF was formally a sardine factory and now features five venues for music, theatre, films, and compemporary art.
Østre
USF Verftet
Music Organizers
ASF
Aktive Studenters Forening (ASF) is a student union in Bergen hosting concerts at Kvarteret. The group is a strong and social group of approximatley 60 active members. ASF book concerts within four different concepts – ASF, ASF SUB, StåOppJazz and ASF Klubb.
- ASF: all large concerts, mainly at the stage called Teglverket at Kvarteret.
- StåOppJazz: jazz music, presented on the stage called Storelogen at Kvarteret every Saturday.
- ASF SUB: concerts on the stage called Speilsalen at Kvarteret every Saturday. This scene has a focus on underground genres in Bergen, but also books band in a variety of other genres.
- ASF Klubb: a club concept begun in 2010. DJs mainly spin on the Teglverket stage after the main concert there on Saturdays.
Bergen Live
Concert organizer arranging the largest concerts in Bergen with both national and international artists. Bergen Live organizes about 100 concerts each year.
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
One of the world’s oldest orchestras and with a close relationship to Edvard Grieg, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra performs weekly at Grieg Hall.
Perfect Sounds Forever
An indie and alternative concert organizer, Perfect Sounds Forever arranges music events at venues around town such as Hulen and Landmark.
Bergen Realistforening
Bergen Realistforening (RF) is a student organization hosting concerts and events at Kvarteret and Hulen, with both national and international artists.
Festivals
Bergen is packed with exciting festivals in its many alleys and narrow streets. Whether you are interested in music, film, theatre or food, the city has something for every taste.
Especially in the summer, when Bergen transforms into a pulsating cultural arena, you can find festivals both indoors and outdoors.
Bergenfest
Bergenfest is a large music festival with well-known artists within genres such as blues, rock and pop. It is held at the medieval fortress Bergenhus.
Bergen matfestival
Bergen Matfestival is a food festival who invites producers from Western Norway to a three-day feast at Bergenhus Fortress. With a focus on local products, you can experience genuine, western Norwegian food joy.
Bergen ølfestival
Bergen ølfestival is a beer festival held annually at Bergenhus Fortress. Get to know exciting Norwegian breweries, learn about beer brewing and meet beer personalities from all over the country.
BIFF
Bergen International Film Festival is Norway’s largest film festival. Shows short films, feature films and documentaries.
Høydenfestivalen
Høydenfestivalen is a completely student-driven festival organised every year at the start of the semester. The festival aims to offer a cultural offer to all Bergen students at a price that does not burst the scholarship.
Nattjazz
Nattjazz is one of the most important festivals for contemporary jazz in Europe. National and international artists in various genres, with a main focus on jazz.
Nordic Media Days
Nordic Media Days is the Nordic region’s largest annual media conference with sessions presented by top professionals from home and abroad.
Hallaien
Hallaien is a one-day semester kickoff student festival at Bergenhus Fortress. The festival is for students only and is an integrated part of the freshers’ week at all the academic institutions in Bergen.
