Jonas Fjeld to the traditional “Somliga” concert during the Notodden Blues Festival 2023!

The stage is set for a concert experience of the greats when the popular artist Jonas Fjeld and his band come to this year’s “Somliga concert” when the Notodden Blues Festival 2023 ends on Sunday 6. August with the festival’s traditional free concert “Somliga går med trasige skor”.

«Somliga går med trasige skor» is a collaboration with the Norwegian trade union movement associated with LO and is a beloved event during the festival which is visited by 3,000-5,000 guests annually.

Artists cannot retire, even when they pass 70. It’s about continuing as long as there is breath in the lungs, as long as there are feelings to convey, and as long as there is an audience out there that will listen. Jonas Fjeld is in the fortunate position that he has both the creative power intact and the ability to continue. At the same time, he has a large audience that knows how to appreciate an artist who always delivers and surprises. 70 years is no age these days, even for an artist. There was a time when it was assumed that artists had to give up when they passed 40, but fortunately times have changed. Now “well-grown” artists are respected for their art and admired for their perseverance. Jonas Fjeld has been very much involved in this development, and it started for him with the album “Svært nok for meg” at the turn of the year 1989-90. He himself had been told in 1982 (when he was approaching 30) that he was too old, but at the age of 37 he hit back hard. He got a new spring and a new career – thanks in large part to «Engler i sneen». Since then he just kept going and going. And the discussion about age has stopped.

Jonas Fjeld is an artist who, thanks to his long career, is more versatile than many others can dream of becoming. He started as a juggling rocker in the crazy band Jonas Fjeld Rock ‘n’ Rolf Band, continued with serious funk recorded in the USA, made a country record in Nashville, backed countless Norwegian artists on record, made a comeback as a solo artist with country-inspired vice rock, played American folk music together with Rick Danko from The Band and Eric Andersen, collaborated with the viceroy Ole Paus and the rock poet Henning Kvitnes, ventured into bluegrass with Chatham County Line, and recently he went to the top together with the legendary Judy Collins. He has also recently done reunion concerts with the Jonas Fjeld Band, who were leaders in Norwegian rock in the 80s with two Spellemann awards. All this only emphasizes that this is an artist who is not afraid to look back before taking new steps forward. Should such an experienced and versatile artist give up when he passes 70? No! There is no retirement age for an artist. The artist must continue. And so does Jonas Fjeld.

«Somliga-konserten», as it is know, is happening for the 13th time Sunday, august 6. 2023, and is a collaboration between Notodden Blues Festival and the Norwegian trade union movement associated with LO. The concert is free for everyone and gathers around 3,000 people for a pleasant and popular end to four wild blues days at Notodden. It is incredibly wonderful that we can have this unique offer year after year.

“With Jonas Fjeld and his eminent band on stage, this will be a perfect Sunday concert at Notodden,” says Forsberg.

Notodden, Sunday august 6., 1.00 PM in Hovigs Hangar.