Punkt rocker

I left home in the pouring rain this morning, now it's a beautiful, sunny early autumn evening in Norway. I'm looking out over the water where some sailing boats are making the most of the last of the summer sunshine.

But realy it won't matter if it rains for the next few days because what draws me to Kristiansand at this time each year is one of the most exciting festivals I've ever been involved with - Punkt. Under its directors Jan Bang and Erik Honore (well known names to Late Junction listeners) it's celebrating its 5th anniversary with a focus on some of the most innovative Norwegian music: Sidsel Endresen, Eivind Aarset, Arve Henriksen, Bugge Wesseltoft , Maja Ratjke, Mungolian Jet Set, Susanna and the Magical Orchestra ... And visitors too, there's BJ Cole for example and Late Junction favourites Sweet Billy PIlgrim who are currently trying on the smart suits ahead of the Mercury Awards ceremony next week. (Yes we're still rooting for you!)

Punkt's trademark is the Live Remix concept which, as director Jan Bang puts it, adds, by use of live sampling, another instrument into any ensemble and allows music to occupy past present and future territories at the same time. After each concert the audience heads down to the sub-basement Alfa Room to see just what live remixing has done to the concert they've just heard. It's edge-of-the-seat stuff for audience and musicians alike.

But tonight I'm off to Punkt Elope which is the platform for young musicians - Mattis Myrland and the Grand Trunk Road Ensemble kick start the whole thing.

Watch this space!

[Check out Jan Bang and Erik Honore's MySpace pages for information, graphics and streamed audio here.]