The Ultima team in conversation with audiences at Listen-Up! at Kruttverket. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
A festival where community flourishes
Get to know Ultima as a festival where listening experiences and conversation go hand in hand.
At Ultima, music is not only about what happens on stage, but about how we choose to be present around it. Many people experience our concerts on their own, at their own pace and on their own terms – and we value that. At the same time, we see how a sense of community emerges before, after and between events, through encounters that generate energy, insight and new perspectives on contemporary music for both audiences and artists alike.
Over the past year, we have opened up more spaces for this to happen: Listen-Up!, a live audio zine; a public dialogue during the performance of John Cage’s Lecture on the Weather; Lydbrytere, our youth ambassadors; the Ultima Pavilion, which spontaneously brought music and people together at Tigerplassen; the roaming sound experience Cassettes 100 at Deichman Bjørvika; guided walks in Grünerløkka; and artist and context talks.
These spaces have helped create closer connections between artists and audiences, and new ways of experiencing the music of the festival. At the same time, we are already looking ahead to new horizons in 2026.
Lecture on the Weather
In collaboration with Global Oslo Music and the Norwegian Society of Composers, Lecture on the Weather brought musicians, visual artists and audiences together at the National Museum for a performance of John Cage’s 1975 work of the same name. The performance was followed by an open conversation or public dialogue, facilitated by Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue, exploring the individual voice in society — what encourages us to speak up, and how we can create space for it.
The dialogue did not end when the event was over, but continued as audience members who had not known each other beforehand took their conversations out into the city over a cup of coffee.
Public dialogue and performance of John Cage at the National Museum. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
José Macedas’ Cassettes 100
Some spaces are made for new experiences and new ways of being together. In collaboration with nyMusikk, Deichman Bjørvika opened its doors to a roaming sound experience through the library’s staircases, foyers and open areas. One hundred students from Edvard Munch Upper Secondary School filled the space with movement and sound from 100 cassette players during a performance of José Macedas’ Cassettes 100.
A context talk between performances became a natural gathering point, where audience members who had experienced the work from different perspectives met to learn more about the piece and put words to their experiences.
100 students carrying 100 cassette players through the open spaces of Deichman Bjørvika. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
Our youth ambassadors
This year’s Lydbrytere have already left their mark on the city! Four youth ambassadors are taking part in a year-long project run by Ultima, the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir and the Oslo Philharmonic, where they develop content and create events for other young people, with music as their shared starting point.
In autumn 2025, they acted as hosts and mediators at concerts at BUSH and Låven with Ensemble Allegria and Van Dan. On Tuesday 27 January, the project continues at the Astrup Fearnley Museum, where they will host an exclusive event for youth with the Norwegian Soloists’ Choir, in collaboration with Blikkåpner. The project receives generous support from the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Furestiftelsen and the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.
Lydbryterne hosting the youth concert with Ensemble Allegria and Van Dan. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
Ultima Pavilion at Tigerplassen
Some encounters happen behind closed doors, others in open spaces where people pass by on their way to work or while visiting the city. The Ultima Pavilion at Tigerplassen by Oslo Central Station, designed by students from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, functioned as an open meeting place — with concerts, installations and activities curated by students from the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Many passers-by stopped, listened, grew curious, and shared their impressions with Ultima’s musicians and staff over a cup of coffee.
Passers-by gathering at the Ultima Pavilion. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
Guided walks at Grünerløkka
We also organised guided visits to concerts, rehearsals and theatre performances in collaboration with the Grünerløkka Volunteer Centre. Similar initiatives for those curious about contemporary music but unsure where to start can be found, for example, through the NyBy app.
Guided sound walk at Holmlia. Photo: Nabeeh Samaan
Ultima's house concerts in 2026
Looking ahead, in 2026 we are bringing the music all the way home — into living rooms, kitchens and backyards across Oslo. Imagine a perfect Saturday evening: dimmed lights, sofa conversations that never quite end, something to drink – and music you never knew you would love. At house concerts, this happens live.
In other words, you can look forward to a series of house concerts during Ultima in September.
And for that, we need houses!
Do you – or someone you know – have a home that could host a concert like this? We would be very grateful for your tips. It’s easy to submit via our form.
Intimate concert at Glasnost, Tøyen Square, during Ultima 2023. Photo: Signe Fuglesteg Luksengard
Join the community
When you become an ultiMATE, you receive invitations to rehearsals and artist talks during the festival, free access to Ultima Extra, and exclusive discounts at cafés and restaurants during the festival, as well as events throughout the year.
The membership programme is gradually growing, planting the seed for what we believe will be a closer community — with more direct contact and more spaces where conversations and encounters can flourish.
Want to join us?
We hope that, in any and every way, your voice is heard where it belongs.
