Norsk Countrytreff: Esteemed country festival celebrating 30 years

By Maria Sødal Vole

Norsk Countrytreff has built a fantastic reputation as an annual country festival focused on the quality of performers, varied experiences, and good vibes. With 2025 marking the festival’s 30th anniversary, this is one not to miss!

Norsk Countrytreff is based in the small village of Breim in the traditional district of Nordfjord. Though Breim has only around 1,500 inhabitants, country fans from across Europe flock to this beautiful region of Norway to enjoy the five-day festival.

Norsk Countrytreff: Esteemed country festival celebrating 30 years

Asleep at the Wheel. Photo: Katrine Madsen

Celebrating its 30th year, Norsk Countrytreff will hold a special anniversary concert providing a look back at its long and rich history. Over the years, this has become one of Western Norway’s biggest cultural events, attracting music lovers from near and afar.

“We’re proud of the reputation that we’ve built. We attribute our ability to book great musicians to the fact that both audiences and performers enjoy the festival,” says festival manager Vegar Sårheim. “Developing a cohesive and well-rounded programme is important to us. And this year will be special!”

Jade Eagleson. Photo: Sigve Brochmann Rasmussen

30 years of country music appreciation

Norsk Countrytreff prides itself on a varied, exciting programme as well as the calibre of the musicians booked. Over its 30-year history, this small rural community has welcomed country greats such as Tanya Tucker, Carlene Carter, Emmylou Harris, Charlie Pride, Don Williams, Bobby Bare, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, and Josh Turner. “The quality of musicians attracts a lot of people to our festival,” Sårheim says. “We’re lucky to have had some fantastic people visit us over the years, including some huge names on the American country scene.”

This year, the festival is setting a record with the number of American performers, with 11 hand-picked country stars slated to attend. With the renowned, award-winning country star Easton Corbin headlining, the festival will play host to multi-platinum artist RaeLynn, rising star Erin Kinsey of TikTok fame, and many more.

Photo: Hanne Karin Sunde

A wide variety of Norwegian country singers and bands have also been selected to perform at the festival. The festival organisers value presenting a good mix of well-established performers and new voices, with popular stars such as Steffen Jakobsen, Erlend Gunstveit, Arthur Stulien, Vassendgutane, and Gunslingers in the lineup.

With more than 30 singers and bands in total, the vibrant programme is a fantastic demonstration of the breadth of the country genre. While most concerts will take place at the festival’s main arena at Norsk Fjordhestgard, other interesting venues across the region will also be hosting events.

The festival’s annual concert at the historic Breim Church is a beloved tradition that musicians and audiences alike look forward to, as well as the bluegrass concert hosted at the unusual venue of Frislidlada at Nordfjord Folk Museum. The barn, with its limited seating and old-world atmosphere, is the perfect rustic setting for bluegrass music. “The music suits the environment incredibly well and makes for a truly intimate experience,” Sårheim says.

Photo: Ann Kristin Bøen

A community-driven festival

Norsk Countrytreff is run by local teams and organisations such as youth groups and sports teams. Organised by a main committee featuring handpicked people for their experience in various fields, the festival runs smoothly every year thanks to the work and dedication of its volunteers.

Some 800 people volunteer every year, so more than half of the community in the village of Breim is involved. Ensuring that the festival camp area and its facilities are clean and tidy, contributing to the vibrant feel of the camp and ensuring that 24,000 festival-goers are fed and happy is a big job. “The volunteers are the building blocks of the festival – we wouldn’t be able to do this without them,” Sårheim says. “The audience really appreciates our fantastic volunteers, they contribute so much to people enjoying their time here.”

As a community-based festival relying heavily on the efforts of committed volunteers, Norsk Countrytreff wants to show its appreciation. Every year, the festival team organises free concerts in the local area as well as musical entertainment at nursing homes and care facilities for the elderly. “Giving back to the community is important to us,” Sårheim says.

Any surplus in profits is funnelled back into local groups and organisations. “Part of the reason why so many people mobilise to help out is because they know that their efforts are appreciated,” Sårheim adds. “Over the years, we’ve given back close to 15 million NOK to local teams and organisations who make the festival happen.”

Photo: Katrine Madsen

A family-friendly experience

The festival team is keen to foster engagement around country music in children and young people, putting on an annual full-day children’s event. Developed in collaboration with local nurseries, the event includes a free concert, horseback riding, and fun activities.

Norsk Countrytreff is welcoming to children, with no age limits for concerts and a dedicated area for under-18s in the festival arena. Sårheim concludes; “Our mission is to present country music widely – we want to reach people of all ages and demonstrate the broad range of the genre.”