Musikkbryggeriet (Oslo)

Before Kulturbryggeriet was set up in the north, we ran Musikkbryggeriet in Oslo. Musikkbryggeriet was founded in 2017 as a volunteer-run meeting place with one aim: to connect young talent with the right network, stages, studios and knowledge. What we learned there is the foundation of what we do today.

Our own stages and festivals

During Musikkens dag we put up our own stage in Grønland, where young artists from the neighbourhood and the rest of Oslo got the chance to show what they could do. On 27 April 2019 we held Grønlandfest in Olafiagangen, under the Vaterland bridge. We wanted to show that a frowned-upon urban space can work as an outdoor cultural venue in all kinds of weather, and to find out whether local residents wanted to take the place back.

Commissions in Tøyen

For Aktivitetshuset K1 we organised Oslo Kulturnatt in Tøyen, with activities for children during the day, a DJ and record sale, and a concert for adults in the evening. At the Tøyen Christmas market we were in charge of the music, with a stage where young talent from the district got their turn. We also helped JM Norway with coordination and logistics when young musicians from all over the country played together in the project Parkert piano.

Concerts and productions

At Notam we organised and produced Lembe, a concert about the climate crisis with Adama Barry and the genre he calls Nomade Blues. We also helped produce Robin Havem's single “Lullaby” and the music video for the song.

Courses and advice

We invited people from the music industry to guide artists through a songwriting camp, singing courses and advice sessions. “In tune” was a free course in using the voice, for artists and anyone interested in music. We also offered singing lessons, music production for young people and open house sessions.

Data for Dada

Together with Mandari we taught older musicians from minority backgrounds to use a computer for music production, so that they can make music at home and release it themselves.

Radio programme

In partnership with Ordentlig Radio we made a radio programme that introduced young artists to a new audience – hip hop, soul and R&B, Afropop and singer-songwriters. The artists talked not only about the music, but also about how it came to be.

Networks and meeting places

We started a co-working space for creatives at Melahuset, held a networking kick-off at Aktivitetshuset K1 and welcomed artists on studio visits, both local ones and artists from Kenya, Cuba, Poland, Sweden, England and Spain, among other places. We even organised jogging trips in Sagene, so that artists and creatives could get to know each other through a shared activity.

Verden på månen

Together with Norsk Folkehjelp Fredrikstad and Månefestivalen we created a dedicated stage for young local talent. We held a seminar on how to plan a concert, and on the last day the young people put on the concert themselves. Artists from Oslo came along to widen their network.