Shenanigans Festival
Shenanigans Festival 2023
Gangar
Writer: Annlaug Pijfers
Photographer: William Fredrik Bakke Dahl
Friday March 17th came and we were excited and ready for one of Sprellfestivalen’s big happenings! Luckily, Gangar could fill in on short notice as William Gamborg had to cancel. Gangar played at Halvflaske festivalen in August, and made a good impression on the students in Ås. The band bases itself on traditional folk music, and the original melodies just how they were written down in the archives. “Call it ‘archive rock’ if you want!” frontman and fiddle player Mattias Thedens exclaimed. They innovate folk music with rock and jazz elements, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The fiddle was the star, but the rest of the instruments were exhibited too. We headbanged, and danced waltz and “tree dance”, and the band looked like they enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Towards the end, people danced halling in the middle of the floor of Festsalen. We saw great kicks and jumps, and not least associated acrobatics from both Mattias and several members of the audience. The night was a great musical experience with new dance moves and great mood. Gangar is Ås at its best: nature, folk music, folk dance, good vibes and low threshold to participate in everything that is fun. I hope this band will keep coming to Ås!
Stand Up
Journalist: Celine Våga
Photographer: Jonas Lund Hagen
The comedians met a hall filled to the brim, and after ten minutes overtime, the night kicked off. First out was the night’s host, Marlene Stavrum. She warmed up the audience by getting to know the audience and our studies. A smart move, because there is nothing us students like better than to laugh at ourselves and those we study with. Her following act about weird municipal coats of armour really got the laughing muscles working and was probably the part of the show most people laughed at – a relatively sad remark if I do say so myself...
Second person out was Ahmed Mamow. Ahmed’s show can be described in the same terms he describes himself with: kind of a withdrawn guy who both wants us to laugh with and at him. His stories about his own life and naïve introduction to sex made us laugh, but I think we wanted him to own the stage a bit more.
Last up was Maria Stavang. She was comfortable both onstage and about the topics she discussed, and was not afraid of sharing an unpolished life with us. From being fat-brave to vaginismus and guy’s atmosphere (guttastemning), we were served everything. The show was well received despite the comedians’ seemingly strong desire to get off the stage (or away from Ås). The audience really pulled themselves together when it comes to talking during a show in Aud.Max.. Hats off to them!
TØFL
Journalist: Viktor Talgø Syvertsen
Photographer: Magnhild Hummel
Friday March 17th meant one of Sprellfestivalen’s big happenings: TØFL. You didn’t join that night’s festivities? Fear not, here is a short summary. We’ll get right to it and start with the stage show. All four dudes in the band really got to show themselves off from the beginning. The energy level onstage went through the roof from the first song, Raketter, and easily infected what was initially a small audience. Throughout the first song, the room filled up, and the guys on stage made sure that the jumping muscle got its practice. During a few of the most known songs, Alle Andre Får Lov and Tunneler, the audience sang along loudly, and the band jumped up and down in both blazers and pyjamas. It soon became clear that TØFL was proud of their home, when three of four were dressed in Løgnasalage shirts. Association-wear weren’t the only props they had in their suitcase; hats and VR glasses in line with the lyrics nailed the feeling that TØFL didn’t just show up on stage, but gave something extra to get the vibes.
Towards the end of the concert, the vocalist, Hans Markus Riisdal, took a victory lap through the audience, before he reascended the stage and asked the audience to let the jumping muscle move one last time: And it certainly did.
The audience was a mixture of true fans, people who crammed the songs days in advance, and people who barely knew the band. After talking to several people in the room, and the general atmosphere throughout, TØFL made sure that the show was positively received.
Emma Steinbakken
Journalist: Ingvild Lauvstad Sunde
Photographer: Hanne Rabbås
Saturday the 18th of March, the headliner of Sprellfestivalen was ready to take the stage. Emma Steinbakken was ready to take Aud.Max. by storm, and Tuntreet was ready to report on the happening.
20-year-old Emma started off with the catchy song, Can’t fight this feeling, and created a relaxed atmosphere with her cheerful energy. Amongst other songs, the girl from Jessheim played Sorry, and her cover hits, Delilah (org. Isah), Jeg glemmer deg aldri (org. Hellbillies), and Floden (org. Bjørn Eidsvåg). Even the Red Cross workers were lined up to watch and film the show, as the guitarist showed off with a wild solo, backed by an amazing light display.
Without a support act, we were however left with the feeling that this was a sweet and relaxing, but somewhat short concert.
3000M Beer
Journalst: TPO
Photographer: Tuva Hebnes
The alcohol was pooling alongside the track at Storebrand this very day. The associations raised their flags and prepared their soldiers for a battle like no other. A wild pack of students, fearless of tomorrow’s flu and the upcoming hangover, ready for another 3000m beer battle! If you want to know what the field looked like where these refrigerated alcoholics ran, imagine several centimetres of cold water, some half-melted snow and vomit - plus splashes in all directions.
Some crazy people (or should I say crazier people) also thought that it would be funny to cross the finish line by sliding on their belly through the disturbing mixture of bodily fluids and slushy snow. It’s not the stupidest, nor the funniest thing I’ve seen wasted people do - but especially one of our black and gold sweethearts from Collegium Alfa really started this day off at a good pace! The winner of this year’s battle, Jørgen Rettedal Ekeli, running for the association Løgnaslage, finished in only 16 minutes and 34seconds. Ekeli was also the winner of 3000m beer in October last year, and despite the hellish conditions this time, he finished only 2 minutes away from his last win.
Congratulations Jørgen!
International Food Festival
Journalist: TPO
Photographer: Tuva Hebnes
To the delight of our taste buds, the International Students Union (ISU), hosted an International Food Festival on the 19th of March Samfunnet, from 12:00 to 15:00. Two nations were offering the wonders of their gastronomic culture and Americans were offering peanut butter and jam toasts (heart on you Americans but come on guys ...). All students could also help out those countries who lacked natives, to cook and compete. It was of course a necessary rule, but it resulted in a few funny situations like a minority of Chinese people in the Chinese team, a Mexican team without any Mexicans, and an unexpected alliance of Belarus and the US. It was a unique chance to discover little-known dishes and I personally advise everyone to try Sri-Lankan and Pakistani food (but maybe with a bit less spices). The festival was a huge success: Aud Max was crowded with satisfied students.
