First time at Musikksalongen
First time at Musikksalongen
Darkness hangs heavy over the approach to Kristiansand; outside, the rain lashes aggressively against the wall of waves, while the packed Frihavn restaurant is warm and cozy—it’s time for my first visit to Musikksalongen.
After three years as a communications advisor at Kilden finally Kilden to secure a seat at Musikksalongen, which is constantly sold out. Since Kilden where Kilden , it might be fitting to use the term “maiden voyage,” which refers to a sailor’s first voyage at sea. My notebook is ready, my camera is charged, and I’m all set to journey into the world of music alongside the man who has spoken with just about every major figure in the music industry over the past forty to fifty years or so: Sigbjørn Nedland.
Nedland is a familiar name to many here in the south. In 2024, he won the Sørlandet Literature Prize for his book *Culture – Return: Music’s Journeys Through History and Geography*, but he is known far beyond the borders of Agder County. Nedland has hosted several well-known radio programs, including “Pop spesial” and “Jungeltelegrafen,” the latter of which introduced world and roots music to a Norwegian audience.
My travel companion and I sit down at an empty table and immediately notice that the people at the next table have gotten a head start on the evening’s program with a lengthy conversation about the role of the steel guitar in contemporary music. It’s a pretty niche topic, but quite entertaining to eavesdrop on.
But first, our colleague Kjetil Nordhus welcomes you from the stage. Practical information is important when setting out on a journey, even if it’s an imaginary journey into the world of music; fortunately, you won’t need to worry about emergency exits and evacuation routes on this trip.
Food is served too; the first course is quickly placed on our plates, and we dig in while the show continues on stage.
What’s new with Musikksalongen this time is that Kjetil has a guest with him; this time it’s Kåre Ørnevik, who’s going to share his enthusiasm for the band The Grateful Dead—a band I’ve heard of but don’t really have a connection to. Twenty short minutes later, I’m full of new and useful information, which has led me to listen to both songs I like and songs I actively dislike over the past 24 hours. Connoisseurs of The Grateful Dead, often called Deadheads, will likely recognize that some songs can be downright challenging.
After a quick setup, Sigbjørn Nedland is ready to take the stage. A PowerPoint presentation, meticulously put together by the father of music journalism, appears on the screens. Captain Nedland delivers a barrage of information at a breakneck pace, interrupted only by the occasional sound clip. Tonight’s theme is reggae.
At the table next to me sits an elderly woman who nods in agreement as Nedland talks about political reggae; her nodding turns into a gentle rocking as the sounds of Bob Marley drift out of the speakers. Nedland masterfully weaves together politics and music, and the talk is informative, entertaining, and fascinating. I am left with new knowledge and fresh perspectives on a genre that, until recently, was quite unfamiliar to me. After a good two hours, the evening is over, and after a few drinks, some food, and a real feast of music history, both body and mind are satisfied.
Should a lecture by Nedland be mandatory for those of us who love music? Absolutely!