Latest news with #Bergenfest
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
A-Ha singer Morten Harket may not sing again after Parkinson's diagnosis
A-ha singer Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and may not be able to sing again. The 'Take on Me' superstar shared in an interview on the Norwegian synth pop band's website that treatment for symptoms of the condition have affected his voice and 'creative future.' The 65-year-old singer said he has been undergoing deep brain stimulation treatment for the past year after two procedures to implant electrodes into the left and then right side of his brain. 4 Morten Harket in the music video for the A-Ha song 'Take On Me.' The electrical impulses fired into his brain have reduced the impact of some of the disease's physical symptoms but have affected his soaring vocal power and ability to sing. 'I don't feel like singing, and for me that's a sign,' he told the band's biographer Jan Omdahl. 'I'm broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. 'The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that's out of the question. 'But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.' 4 Harket from A-ha performs on stage at the Bergenfest festival on June 15, 2022 in Bergen, Norway. Redferns Harket said he had kept the diagnosis private until now so he could focus on the 'delicate balancing act' of managing his symptoms with medication and advanced neurological treatment. He said he had 'no problems accepting the diagnosis' and took his 94-year-old father's advice to 'use whatever works' as he navigates living with the degenerative disorder. 'Part of me wanted to reveal it. Like I said, acknowledging the diagnosis wasn't a problem for me; it's my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me,' Harket said. 'I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline. It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects. 4 A-ha perform at Idyll Festival at Isegran on June 17, 2022 in Fredrikstad, Norway. Corbis via Getty Images 4 (L-R) Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pal Waaktaar-Savoy. picture alliance via Getty Images 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' Harket and bandmates Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy last toured Australia in 2020 and performed what may be their final concert at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2022. The musician said he had been working on new songs in recent years but was unsure 'if I'll be able to finish them for release.' But the philosophical singer told fans not to worry about him. 'Don't worry about me. Find out who you want to be – a process that can be new each and every day. Be good servants of nature, the very basis of our existence, and care for the environment while it is still possible to do so,' he said. 'Spend your energy and effort addressing real problems, and know that I am being taken care of.'
Local Norway
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Norway
What's on in Norway: Nine unmissable events in June 2025
NEON, June 6th and June 7th The NEON music festival in Trondheim has become one of the hottest summer kick-off festivals since its launch in 2022. This year, Imagine Dragons, Robin Shulz, and Benjamin Ingrosso are among the headliners at the festival, which will take place at the EC Dahls Arena. At the time of writing, only festival passes and day tickets for Friday were still available . Whit Monday, June 9th You'll be able to enjoy a long weekend in early June as Whit Monday is a public holiday in Norway, meaning kids will be off school, and most workers can expect the day off. Whether it's a day to yourself, a long weekend, or soaking up (hopefully) some summer sun, make sure you find something nice for yourself to do. Diamond League – Bislett Games, June 12th The Bislett games bring the prestigious Diamon League to Norway, and visitors will be able to see top international track and field athletes compete in various disciplines. Extra tickets for the sold-out event will be released on June 3rd. Miniøya, June 14th and June 15th Miniøya has become Norway's largest music and cultural festival for children over its 15-year history. The festival is mainly aimed at families and kids 12 and under, and the programme includes music, theatre, literature, disco, dance, and activities. The sad news is that regular tickets are sold out, but you may still be able to pick up some resale tickets. Advertisement Bergenfest, June 11th – June 14th A mix of Norwegian and international stars will be performing at Bergenfest on Norway's west coast in mid-June. Alanis Morissette, Aurora, Kjartan Lauritzen, 070 Shake, Benjamin Ingrosso and Lissie are among the festival's headliners for 2025. Tickets for a number of different days were still available at the time of writing . Pride events Oslo Pride will occur between June 20th and June 28th, and the main parade is on June 28th, leaving from Grønland. Oslo Pride is the country's largest LGBTQIA+ celebration, and countless activities, workshops, events, and seminars will be held throughout Oslo Pride. Bergen Pride will take place between June 13th and June 21st, with a parade and closing concert taking place on the 21st. Pride Park will be the celebration's festival arena and is open between June 19th and June 21st, while Pride House will highlight culture between June 14th and June 18th. Advertisement OverOslo, June18th – June 21st The idyllic hilltop festival is one of the highlights of Norway's music calendar. Lars Vaular, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Bryan Adams, and Cezinando are among this year's headliners. Panoramic views of the city and Oslofjord provide a spectacular backdrop for the festival's diverse lineup. Santkhans, June 24th Sankthans, or Jonsok, translated as "John's wake", is a Midsummer celebration with both religious and secular roots. Along with the rest of Scandinavia, it is popular to celebrate with bonfires. In major cities and small towns, the bonfires are typically made along the coastline or in a body of water, and the locals watch from boats or from along the shoreline and bring drinks and snacks. The atmosphere is festive yet relaxed. Many Norwegians say that if you sleep with a sankthansblomst or a "red campion flower" underneath your pillow on the night of sankthans, then your future spouse will appear in your dreams. Ålesund builds a huge bonfire yearly, while in Oslo, a celebration is typically held at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Gladmat, June 25th – June 28th Over in Stavanger is the event for foodies that bills itself as the world's coolest food festival. The event is Scandinavia's biggest food festival, and 250,000 visitors will have the opportunity to sample the best flavours from the Stavanger region. The festival brings together local food producers, great restaurants and delicious street food.
