Vers Libre x Piñata Radio - Bergen Takeover | Vers Libre

Thomas and Maxime, the minds steering French independent radio station Piñata, initiated their valiant takeover of Vers Libre during Vill Vill Vest festival. A joint broadcast to their loyal listeners in France, and to the listeners of Vers Libre here in Norway, a ray of Mediterranean sunshine in a notoriously damp Bergen town.

Three days of amazing music, interviews and live performances. Including special guests Simon Alejandro (Jungelen), DJ Reidar Bruun, DJ collective Svette Føtter, singer/songwriter Josephin Bovien and Yellow Spoon (DK), Ol'Burger Beats & rapper Vuyo.

? Listen to the Takeover! ?

First up was Simon Alejandro, commander-in-chief of club night Jungelen, and the man ultimately responsible for bringing Piñata to Norway. His earlier experiences as a rapper have stood him in good stead as he explained in his interview. He has a good overview of the Hip-Hop scene in Bergen noting that these days, everyone is rapping. "You go to a bar in Bergen and maybe there’s 10 rappers there. Without you even knowing. Everyone is rapping!"

“I’m trying to curate nights, that don’t look like other nights” - Simon Alejandro

Local Bergen DJ Reidar Bruun was also a guest in thee studio and was positive to the blend of different music genres and sub-groups that co-exist in Bergen, believing there to be enough diversity that everyone could still survive.

“The main thing about the Bergen music community is every genre is represented. There’s enough diversity that everyone can earn, and support each other” - Reidar Bruun

Some cities exist in what they might consider the shadow of the capital. Reidar explained how in the past he felt Bergen has been actually more prolific than Oslo, producing much more music. Clearly moving to the bright lights of a capital city isn't necessarily a guarantee of success for an artist or producer, a point Piñata's Thomas and Maxime had observed at home in France.

“Everyone creates their thing in Montpellier, then they go to the capital Paris. Then everyone there is doing the same shit. You build your reputation. Then when you are good enough, everyone goes to the capital. And then everyone in the capital is doing the same shit. So then nothing really stays.”

With interviews from Josephin Bovien & Yellow Spoon visiting from Denmark on Day#2 plus plenty great tunes to bridge the gaps, Thomas and Maxime from Piñata Radio, the Takeover proved to be a successful cultural melting pot.

Great interviews, an injection of music from the south coast of France plus live DJ sets from our talented guests. Three days of wholesome hearty listening.