Sometimes when reporting on trade conferences it’s difficult to pinpoint the highlight of the event – this is definitely not the case with the growing Norwegian showcase and trade festival, by: Larm, at least not for the international guests and journalists who were invited to attend a gig by the Norwegian band Kaizer’s Orchestra on the very top of a massive cliff, 604 metres above a fjord. This event was both spectacular and memorable – all those who climbed through, snow, ice and fantastic scenery will never forget it – I can assure you!

By:Larm is a festival with no fixed abode - apart from remaining in Norway, last year it took place in Bergen and on 10-12 February this year the showcases and seminars took place in Stavanger – the oil capital of Norway. The shows were attended by between 13 /14,000 members of the public, 1000 delegates attended, including 200 international visitors and over 200 bands and solo artists played showcases in 18 venues.

Apart from a few visitors from France and the US, the bands were mainly from the Nordic countries and as we are coming to expect from these territories, the standard of bands was very high. But, you couldn’t get any higher than the Kaizer’s Orchestra extravaganza, both literally and for sense of occasion. This was one of those select rock and roll occasions which the 150 or so of us who were there will refer back to time and again. Now if somebody had taken us aside at breakfast, and explained in detail, to the hung over ill equipped and badly shod international journalists and other industry guests just exactly what we were about to undertake, the band on their lofty and remote perch way above the fjords and the snow fields would have played to a very reduced audience. But somehow, what turned out to be the closest I’ve ever come to mountaineering was somehow presented as a steep and slightly demanding walk.

So we all set off by ferry, then a winding uphill journey by bus to Preikestolen where we began our walk/climb, slip/slide all the way to the Preikestolen plateau. The views were incredible, helicopters chattered above us taking gear to the top, the snow got thicker, the icicles longer, the hopes that we were almost there dashed by uniformed Rangers who informed us after what seemed forever – you’re halfway there! But then we were there and the music pulled us the last steep metres. It was dramatic and quite beautiful - the band on the flat top of a huge jagged cliff silhouetted against a grey sky and way way down mirror calm icy waters. The band was great, in such rarefied air the sound was fierce and clear, and of course we sang along and even those that don’t dance…did, as the singer came to join us. Fortified by sandwiches and dried reindeer heart we applauded wildly when the set ended with the destruction of the double bass, and we then contemplated the journey back down – even more treacherous underfoot, more dangerous, more falls, but a sense of having been there, and seen something remarkable.

We were the ones that went up the mountain – oh, and came back down again!

The evening could have been an anticlimax, but acts like Norway’s own Thomas Dybdahl and many others kept the high spirits going. Vip asked various delegates what they thought. Sean Arnold , organiser of the Go North event in Scotland, Rob Berends of The Network and partner Hilde Spille of Paperclip Agency in Holland, Tony Scott of Guilfest and Martin Elbourne of the Glastonbury Festival all agreed that the atmosphere was great and that they’d definitely come again. Clemens Fachinger of Halbemite.com, publishing and management in Germany came to see Kaiser’s Orchestra to discuss a publishing deal, but as he said, “I landed up watching a dozen artists and I’m interested in looking for deals for them in Germany.”

Paulina Ahokas of Musex – the Finnish Music Export Office, had brought three acts to showcase at the event, she said, “I think by: Larm is now going beyond its own local interests, and is turning into a Nordic event, inviting internationals to see Nordic talent.” Erland Mogård-Larsen, General Manager of by:Larm was glad to hear this when I told him. He said, “I think this year was really well organised, the feedback from everyone was very positive. We intend to develop the festival more internationally working with all the Nordic countries, linking with all the Nordic radio stations, the whole process started two years ago. We are in discussions to see how these collaborations can be developed.. In conclusion Vip asked how they were going match the Preikestolen experience next year when the event will take place further North in Tromso, Erland was prepared, “We will probably set aside the Sunday to take the guests out into the country and send then out into the Tundra on sledges pulled by huskies.” You have been forewarned! .