Gospelfest: Spreading the joy of gospel

By Maria Sødal Vole | Photos: Gospelfest

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with an extra-special edition of its popular festival, Gospel Explosion is committed to sharing the joy of singing and gospel music. As hundreds of singers, conductors, and musicians from around the world gear up for Gospelfest 2025 in Bergen, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Gospel Explosion is a concept built on a genuine enthusiasm for gospel and a desire to spread the joy of singing. Involved with choirs since the age of 13, musician and conductor Leif Ingvald Skaug founded the organisation after the death of legendary gospel musician Andraé Crouch. Known as the father of modern gospel music, Crouch is credited with bringing soul to gospel and bridging the gap between gospel music and pop.

Leif Ingvald Skaug.

“Andraé Crouch was a great source of inspiration to me. He died on 8 January 2015, and this is the day when Gospel Explosion was born,” Skaug explains. “Waking up to the news of his passing, I felt inspired to do my part in keeping gospel choir traditions alive. Gospel Explosion is for anyone who likes to sing. There are no auditions to take part, and everyone is welcome. It’s just a matter of joining.”

Featuring well-known Norwegian talent as well as esteemed international singers such as Bazil Meade, Isaac Cates, and Samuel Ljungblahd, the organisation’s Gospelfest 2025 is shaping up to be an unmissable event. The choir will be formed as the festival kicks off and will be rehearsing all weekend for the main event, the anniversary celebration on Sunday 6 April.

Gospelfest: Spreading the joy of gospel

A fully-packed programme

This year’s Gospelfest will take place in Bergen during the first weekend of April. The spectacular anniversary concert will be happening in the illustrious concert hall Grieghallen in the heart of the city on Sunday, while the rest of the weekend’s varied events and activities will take place at other interesting venues around the city.

The first concert of the weekend will be at the cultural centre Kulturhuset i Bergen on Friday, where Norwegian musicians Lewi Bergrud and Thor-Erik Fjellvang will lead a performance of hymns in pub style, where attendees can enjoy some beers at the same time. On Saturday, Swedish gospel star Samuel Ljungblahd, who performed at the royal wedding of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist in 2015, will take to the stage supported by Aalesund Gospelkor alongside a band.

Returning to Gospelfest is pioneering gospel musician and MBE recipient Bazil Meade, who founded the London Community Gospel Choir, known as one of Europe’s most-loved gospel choirs. Award-winning gospel singer Isaac Cates from Kansas City is another high-profile musician who will take part this year.

“We’re excited to have these fantastic artists joining us here in Norway. It’s an inspiration in itself,” Skaug says. “There’s a lot of risk involved in large projects like this, but it’s absolutely worth it given the joy we see and the positive response we get from those who take part in our choirs as well as the audience at the concerts.”

Bazil Meade.

Joy and unity

Those taking part in Gospel Explosions’ activities spend time together beyond rehearsals and concerts, attending interesting seminars and workshops, sharing meals, and getting to know each other. “There is a lot of joy and unity in gospel music,” Skaug says. “Building a community is important to us. And singing in a choir has excellent health-promoting benefits – it brings joy, and you spend time with other people who love music. Nobody is left out, you risk making new friends,” Skaug says with a smile.

While the annual Gospelfest is the main event, the organisation has a busy schedule all year round with three regular choirs in Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, each of which consists of more than 100 singers who practice biweekly. In addition, the spinoff choir Indre Østfold Gospel Company features over 80 singers. In total, four choirs with around 450 singers are part of the Gospel Explosion family in addition to the thousands of singers around Norway that have attended workshops. And the Christmas concerts in Bergen, Trondheim, Oslo and Mysen are eagerly anticipated events every year.

“To me, gospel music is an explosion of good news,” Skaug says. “There’s a life-affirming message in gospel, both lyrically and rhythmically – an expression of love and freedom. Everybody should try singing in a gospel choir during their lifetime – it’s truly special.”