Beatles Festivalen (Beitostølen, Norway) (October, 2014)

This past October, I spent a wonderful weekend performing at the Beatles festival high up in the ski-resort town of Beitostølen, Norway. This was a big departure from the likes of Beatlefest and Abbey Road On The River as it's much smaller and personal. Met many nice people like Terje- the person running the convention- and was given the chance to sit down with renowned Beatles author Mark Lewishon. Some interesting Beatles-related tidbits were discussed over a nice dinner. Ola Furu- a Beatles record collector- was displaying his collection. He specializes in all the UK pressings of the "Please Please Me" LP and had about forty copies showcased! He also had all the uniquely compiled Norwegian 45's which command a hefty sum these days. Scandinavian pressings- especially Norwegian- are not common at all.

I was given the chance to really unload on some of the more obscure material that nobody performs. That was a major rush for me as anything interesting and different is always welcome in Gary Owen Land. The last night, I joined in with the Norwegian Beatles tribute band "The Day Trippers" for a full set. That was yet another highlight. After, we had a nice sing along with two acoustic guitars. Fun, indeed.

The drive to and from Bergen to Beitostølen was surreal. The Norwegian landscape is absolutely breathtaking. We drove through a total of 55 tunnels (yes, we counted). One named "Laerdalstunnelen" is about 26 km long with three rest stops lit with colorful psychedelic lighting to boot! Wow! Just, wow!

Here's a list of tunes I performed at the festival:

Love Of The Loved How Do You Do It Bad To Me A World Without Love Anna Please Please Me Ask Me Why PS I Love You Do You Want To Know A Secret A Taste Of Honey All My Loving Don't Bother Me I Want To Hold Your Hand Can't Buy Me Love You Can't Do That And I Love Her I'm Happy Just To Dance With You Tell Me Why I'll Cry Instead Things We Said Today I Feel Fine No Reply I'm A Loser Baby's In Black Eight Days A Week What You're Doing I Don't Want To Spoil The Party Help! The Night Before You've Got To Hide Your Love Away I Need You Ticket To Ride Act Naturally You Like Me Too Much Yesterday We Can Work It Out Norwegian Wood Think For Yourself Michelle Girl If I Needed Someone Rain Taxman Here, There And Everywhere She Said She Said Good Day Sunshine And Your Bird Can Sing For No One I Want To Tell You Tomorrow Never Knows Strawberry Fields Forever Penny Lane With A Little Help From My Friends Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite When I'm 64 Your Mother Should Know I Am The Walrus Hello Goodbye Lady Madonna Revolution Dear Prudence Glass Onion The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill While My Guitar Gently Weeps Blackbird Piggies Don't Pass Me By I Will Honey Pie Savoy Truffle Not Guilty Only A Northern Song All Together Now Hey Bulldog It's All Too Much Get Back Old Brown Shoe Come Together Something Maxwell's Silver Hammer Octopus's Garden Here Comes The Sun Golden Slumbers Carry That Weight The End Come And Get It Two Of Us Across The Universe For You Blue The Long And Winding Road Solo Tunes: My Sweet Lord Isn't It A Pity If Not For You Behind That Locked Door All Things Must Pass Give Me Love Handle With Care It Don't Come Easy Photograph No No Song My Love Too Many People Instant Karma! Imagine

Performing in the hotel on Saturday afternoon:

Jamming with The Day Trippers on Saturday Night:

At one of the three ghostly rest stops inside Laerdalstunnelen:

A splendid time was guaranteed for all!