By Norse Music, a prominent Norwegian independent record label, will host a Nordic Night Showcase at the 2025 Fire in the Mountains (FITM) festival. This event will take place from July 25–27, 2025, on the tribal lands of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, offering a unique blend of music, culture, and community engagement.
The showcase features an impressive lineup of Nordic and Sámi artists:
- Wardruna (festival headliner): Known for their immersive Nordic folk music.
- Mari Boine: Renowned Sámi artist celebrated for her fusion of traditional joik and contemporary styles.
- Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne: An electro-pop duo blending ethereal vocals and electronic elements.
- BardSpec: A meditative ambient project led by Ivar Bjørnson.
The Nordic Night Showcase aims to foster cultural exchange through performances and workshops that highlight shared values such as community, environmental respect, and the interconnectedness of cultures. Details of the workshops, which are integral to this initiative, will be announced closer to the event.
This collaboration is part of a broader partnership involving the Blackfeet Nation, Fire in the Mountains, the Firekeeper Alliance (a non-profit organization), AISAmusic, By Norse Music, and Wardruna. Together, these entities strive to create meaningful cultural connections and benefit the Blackfeet community while respecting its traditions.
Simon Fülleman, co-founder of By Norse, shared his thoughts: “I vividly remember working on ‘On Wings over Utgard’ FITM curation alongside Ivar Bjørnson in 2022. I couldn’t attend, but was honored to work with many dedicated people to bring unique bands to an even more unique location. Since then, we stayed in touch in different ways, like Wayfarer joining the Enslaved European Tour in 2023. Some bonds go deeper than you think, and they bring you back together to build upon what has been sown a long time ago. Now, with FITM moving to the sacred Blackfeet Lands, things fell into place even more. The values, the nature, the scenery, the people, the cause, everything is aligned with what I am, and we are standing for. So having the opportunity to curate a part of the festival with friends again is nothing short of amazing. This time I will make it to the festival. So should you!”
Laetitia Abbenes, project leader for the Nordic Night Showcase adds: “Ever since hearing about FITM, I’ve felt our shared love for music, the natural world, the similar mindset and the cause were something I would like to contribute to in some way or form. I’m glad we now get to do so by bringing a delegation of the By Norse family to the Blackfeet Nation during the festival and celebrate with this wonderful, cross-continent community. I can’t wait for these worlds to meet, learn from and inspire each other at Red Eagle Campground.”
Shane McCarthy, music curator at Fire In The Mountains, concludes: “As our festival grows, the experience is only as strong as the people who apply their vision to it. It has been no small honor to forge a partnership with By Norse Music, whose ideas and contributions have gone beyond simple collaboration with their artists. We are delighted to have them as guest curators – selecting artists from their roster to perform as a part of the inaugural event at Red Eagle.”
In honor of the indigenous hosts, FITM 2025 will be an alcohol-free event, reflecting the festival’s commitment to cultural respect and inclusivity.
By Norse Music was founded by Einar Selvik (Wardruna), Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved, BardSpec), and Simon Füllemann (AISAmusic). The label supports Norse-inspired art, music, literature, and film, serving as a platform to promote and preserve Nordic culture on a global stage.
For more information and updates on the Nordic Night Showcase, visit fitmfest.com.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central