G! - A festival Faroe Faroe away

The Faroe Islands are probably more famous for their regular thrashings on the international football stage, to the point where you might think that their full name is Faroe Islands Nil, than for hosting talent-packed music festivals such as the G! Festival.

However, since its inception in 2002, the festival has become a fixture on the European live music circuit and The Guardian recently named it as one of Europe's top 25 festivals - for an eclectic international line-up in stunning surroundings G! is in a league of its own.

Featuring bands and musicians from Iceland, America, Denmark, France, Sweden, Norway, England and, of course, a strong line-up of local Faroese acts, the three day festival takes place on the shores of the postcard-perfect fishing village of Göta between the 19 th and 21st July. Last year roughly one fifth of the Faroe's 40,000 population turned up to enjoy the music and this year, with headlining sets from Guillemots, Pétur Ben, Natasha Bedingfield and many other emerging talents, G!'s reputation as a very special festival looks set to grow and grow.

With the islands sitting between Iceland, Scotland and Denmark, their musical influences cast a wide net and local acts will form a large part of the festival's program. One such local artist is folksy singer songwriter Teitur, who, according to local journalist Uni L. Hansen, will be a must-see act: "Teitur's new record, "Káta hornið", breathes atmosphere, joy and energy and is quite simply the best Faroese record I have ever reviewed in all my years as reviewer." Other local highlights will include the heaviest metal band the Faroes have ever seen, Sic, and something a bit more relaxing; singer songwriter Lena Anderssen.  

Award-winning Icelandic troubadour Pétur Ben will be one of the other big attractions following the recent release of Wine For My Weakness, an album that has taken his homeland by storm. Like many people, he's not too familiar with the tiny Faroe Islands but the experience of playing there holds great allure: "I've heard allot of great things and gotten acquainted with some really good musicians from the Faroe Islands over the years. And all the people I've ever met from there have been gracious and genuine people." Pétur will be joined by a host of Icelandic bands and musicians - Reykjavik is only a short flight away so distance isn't an issue - including the memorably named Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán and the infamous Dr Spock, a sort of indie house party on legs. From further afield, America is represented by The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Yong Dubliners, France by electro metallers Pravda whilst Norway, Sweden and Denmark all have several bands booked to wow the crowds.

The mysterious Faroe Islands were first inhabited by Irish monks in the 6th Century and the population is now mainly employed in the fishing industry but other, more modern businesses are becoming increasingly prevalent as ties to mainland Europe become stronger. Unusually, they also have reigning monarch, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who also happens to be a pretty rock 'n' roll royal, having met Elvis and Jerry Lewis in her youth - see you in the front row on Friday night Maggie? Pétur Ben certainly thinks the Faroes are the sort of place where such wonderful things can happen: "I believe it to be a place of magic."

You can fly from Stansted Airport or, if you have friends in high places, hop on a Royal Navy submarine.

19th - 21st July 2007
Faroe Islands
2 days
www.gfestival.com

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