Tons of Rock Festival Four Days Of Rock, Metal, Love And Tattoos

Tons of Rock Festival 25th – 29th June, Oslo, Norway

IMAGES KENNETH SPORHEIM / WORDS THOMAS KIRKEBY

Green Day

The annual Tons of Rock festival in Norway has, during its eleven-year run, grown to become the country's leading event for rock and metal. In fact, it is now the largest festival in Norway, attracting visitors from across Europe.

The first edition took place in Halden, just outside Oslo, in 2014. In 2019, the festival relocated to Ekebergsletta in the capital. By 2022, it expanded from three to four days, and this year introduced a small fourth stage featuring not only concerts but also stand-up comedy, interview sessions, and karaoke.

This year’s festival kicked off on a beautiful, warm and sunny Wednesday, with the air thick with the scents of sizzling food, sunscreen, and popcorn.

Alestorm

Scottish outfit Alestorm were among the first bands to hit the stage, bringing their signature pirate metal to life with three giant rubber ducks and a crowd brandishing inflatable swords. Their set included classics alongside new material from The Thunderfist Chronicles, such as "Killed to Death by Piracy" and "Frozen Piss 2." With anonymous surprise guests in shark and banana costumes, the band’s playful chaos peaked with “The Storm”—a perfect, raucous finale to a wildly fun show.

Electric Callboy

German party metal favourites Electric Callboy cranked up the energy on the Scream Stage with their trademark mix of electronicore, confetti, and pyrotechnics. Their setlist included fan favourites like "Hypa Hypa," "Spaceman," and "RATATATA," along with a euphoric cover of "Everytime We Touch." Joined by Sum 41's drummer Frank Zummo for their rendition of "Good Reason," the band kept things visually dynamic with multiple costume changes. A relentless, high-octane performance.

Dream Theater

Legends in their genre, both as a band and as individual musicians, Dream Theater celebrate their 40th anniversary and supports their latest album, Parasomnia. Along with new tracks like “Night Terror” and “Midnight Messiah”, they delivered stunning renditions of “Strange Déjà Vu” and “Fatal Tragedy” from Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. Smiles spread as John Petrucci launched into “Peruvian Skies,”. Naturally, they closed with their self-proclaimed only hit, “Pull Me Under.”

Powerwolf

With the sun in our eyes, German power metal veterans Powerwolf stormed the Vampire Stage, delivering dramatic anthems like “Army of the Night,” “Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and “Fire and Forgive”—complete with a flaming church organ. While the heat and sun had left much of the crowd subdued, frontman Attila Dorn worked hard to engage fans. ´Though the digital backdrop could use an update, loyal followers got exactly what they came for.

Muse

Muse headlined the festival’s opening day, much to the delight of their many Norwegian fans. They kicked off with their latest single, released just days before—not quite the explosive start some hoped for, but the energy soared with “Hysteria” and “Map of the Problematique.” The crowd sang along passionately, amazed by the sheer sound produced by just three members (plus a touring keyboardist). Confetti rained down during “Supermassive Black Hole,” and the night ended triumphantly with “Knights of Cydonia.” A spectacular end to a glorious first day.

The second day of the festival began with more sunshine, although this time accompanied by a brisk wind. Confetti still lingered in the railings around the stage where Muse had played the night before. One of the earliest acts to take the stage was:

Myles Kennedy

Probably best known as the singer and guitarist of Alter Bridge, Myles Kennedy’s distinctive voice was instantly recognisable. Many in the crowd were clearly familiar with his solo work too. Myles seemed to truly enjoy himself on stage, appearing almost overwhelmed by the audience’s warm response. Charming and engaging, he connected easily with fans. Touring his third solo album, The Art of Letting Go, he played several tracks from it, closing with “Say What You Will to Me.”

Turbonegro

When Norway's own Turbonegro take the stage, you can spot their fans a mile off—sailor hats and Turbojugend jackets everywhere. British frontman Tony Sylvester twirled his mic as they launched into "Hurry Up & Die," setting off pyro and prompting immediate crowd-surfing and mosh pits. Fan favourites like "All My Friends Are Dead" and "Get It On" kept the energy soaring. As always, their colossal Turbojugend flag made an appearance, and they closed the set with a wild cameo from Jackass star Chris Pontius (aka Party Boy) during "I Got Erection."

Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter

The festival’s biggest surprise was undoubtedly Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter. Kicking off with “Holiday in the Sun,” Frank promised the original band members the wildest crowd ever, urging everyone to “go fucking crazy.” When the audience hesitated, he laughed, blaming Norwegian politeness, then jumped into the crowd to spark a moshpit, singing the next song right in the pit. This became a turning point, not only in the show, but the whole festival, as moshpits, circle pits, and crowdsurfing erupted, for many for the first time. At one point, everyone in the pit sat down and started rowing. Frank’s raw energy brought the chaos and spirit of the original Sex Pistols to life. The band closed with “Anarchy in the UK,” joined by Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day for a perfect, unforgettable finale.

Weezer

The crowd was still buzzing from Sex Pistols and Frank Carter when Weezer took the stage with “Hash Pipe,” instantly shifting the vibe. It took a moment to adjust, but the atmosphere soon turned warm and inviting. A few newly inspired crowdsurfers tried their luck, though it felt out of place in Weezer’s more introspective set. Frontman Rivers Cuomo charmed everyone by speaking Norwegian, and the band rolled out hits like “Undone – The Sweater Song,” “Beverly Hills,” and “Pork and Beans.” Even from afar, the show felt almost intimate, and as they closed with “Buddy Holly,” we left with smiles and hearts aglow.

Green Day

Green Day headlined the second night at Tons of Rock, drawing a packed crowd despite the chilly weather. Spirits were high as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Blitzkrieg Bop” played before the show, with a surprise stage invasion by someone in a bunny suit adding to the excitement. When the band finally came on, they launched right into “American Idiot,” instantly igniting the crowd. Highlights included a fan joining for “Know Your Enemy,” new track “Fuck Off,” and classics like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Basket Case.” Green Day’s energy and charisma kept everyone captivated, and they closed the night perfectly with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” It was a night of pure festival magic, leaving the audience buzzing long after the final note.

The sun returned for day three, and festivalgoers were eager for another round of world-class music.

Poppy

Poppy was among the first acts on Thursday, the former YouTube sensation now firmly rooted in the metal scene. Taking the stage with four masked musicians, all eyes were on her as she shifted from playful skipping to raw, emotional outbursts. Poppy truly embodied both beauty and beast, delivering tracks like “Have You Had Enough,” “Scary Mask,” and “Concrete” with fierce energy, before closing her 50-minute set with “A New Way Out.”

Within Temptation

Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation, led by the talented Sharon den Adel, Is always a blast. They took to the stage, opening with “We Go to War” from their latest album. Draped in a Norwegian flag, Sharon was warmly received by the crowd. Most of the set featured tracks from 2023’s Bleed Out, but classics like “Faster,” “Paradise (What About Us),” and “Stand My Ground”—dedicated to Ukraine—also featured. They closed with the stunning and dramatic “Mother Earth,” leaving the audience mesmerised.

Steel Panther

With Steel Panther, you’re either in on the joke or left provoked—and this afternoon’s crowd had both camps. After a cheeky intro, the band kicked off with “The Eyes of a Panther,” sharing the stage with four pole dancers. There was plenty of banter, sometimes more stand-up than music, but the crowd was entertained. They invited a young Asian woman on stage during "Asian Hooker," and later cheekily performed the riff to TNT’s "10,000 Lovers (In One)." Things escalated during "17 Girls in a Row" as even more fans joined them on stage. They ended with a raucous "Gloryhole," complete with enormous orange balloons. Equal parts offensive and hilarious, their set was anything but forgettable.

Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe may be a blast from the past for many, but they’ve released three albums in the last decade. It was a joy to see them again, with Whitfield Crane still boasting the looks and voice that made him a heartthrob in 1992. The set spanned their career, but focused on early hits like “Neighbor” and “So Damn Cool,” plus the underrated “Milkman’s Son.” The crowd eagerly sang along to “Cat’s in the Cradle” and went wild for “Everything About You.” Whit even learned to say “Tusen takk”! Turns out Ugly Kid Joe is still a blast.

Exodus

Expectations were high before one of thrash metal’s pioneers, Exodus entered the stage, but he band knew how to fire up their fans. With Rob Dukes back on vocals, they launched into “Bonded by Blood,” instantly sparking a circle pit. Classic tracks like “Piranha” and “A Lesson in Violence” kept the energy high, with Rob’s fierce stage presence balanced by his grin at the crowd’s response. He praised Norway as a beautiful country and said it was great to be back. One fan even made it onstage for a quick photo before being ushered off. Exodus closed with “Strike of the Beast,” leaving the crowd exhilarated.

Kaizers Orchestra

Local heroes Kaizers Orchestra closed out the main stage with their unmistakable blend of alternative rock and cabaret-style theatrics. Their visual flair included gas mask-clad pianists and oil barrel percussion. Opening

with "Maestro," the band wasted no time whipping the enormous home crowd into a frenzy. Frontman Janove Ottesen exuded charisma, channeling a bit of young Dave Gahan as he led the audience through beloved tracks like "En for orgelet, og en for meg," "Evig pint," and the wildly popular "Ompa til du dør." A perfect conclusion to another stellar day—and a reminder to international fans that Norwegian rock is well worth discovering.

The fourth day and last day of the festival had come, and everyone was ready for the grand finale. Would today’s bands top the performances we had already seen?

Jinjer

Ukrainian progressive metalcore band Jinjer returned to Tons of Rock to a hero’s welcome. Frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk’s vocal acrobatics were nothing short of jaw-dropping, seamlessly shifting between guttural growls and soaring melodies. Kicking off with “On the Top,” they delivered a tight, technically impressive set that never lost its intensity. Tracks like “Green Serpent,” “Vortex,” and “Perennial” showcased both the band’s dynamic range and tight musicianship. They closed with the genre-blending “Pisces,” its haunting outro leaving a lasting impression. Even the crowdsurfers got creative, where one was standing on top of another—festival ingenuity at its best!

Jerry Cantrell

Alice in Chains fans knew what to expect as Jerry Cantrell took the stage, his signature sound shining through both solo material and Alice in Chains classics. Touring his latest album I Want Blood, Cantrell also treated the crowd to four Alice in Chains hits, including “Them Bones” and “Man in the Box.” The audience grew as the set went on, making it a dream show for both longtime fans and newcomers. Closing with “The Rooster,” Cantrell proved grunge is still alive and well at Tons of Rock in 2025.

Megadeth

There was little time for chit-chat as Megadeth hit the stage. They barely had the applause started before they launched into “Hangar 18.” Tight, powerful, and timeless, the band powered through “Dread and the Fugitive Mind” and a string of hits like “Angry Again,” “Sweating Bullets,” and “Peace Sells.” While frontman Dave Mustaine kept talk to a minimum, bassist James LoMenzo connected with the crowd. Only at the end did Mustaine thank the audience, tease a new album, and remind us that in these tough times, at least we have each other and the music. The set closed with “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.”

Machine Head

Bay Area bruisers Machine Head took the stage like a freight train, kicking off with the epic “Imperium” and never letting up. Robb Flynn proved once again why he’s among metal’s most charismatic frontmen, commanding the crowd with ease and summoning the weekend’s largest circle pit. Inflatable hammers flew across the crowd, matching the band's brute-force energy. The setlist mixed fan favourites like “Now We Die,” “Locust,” and “Bulldozer” with deeper cuts, each delivered with unwavering conviction. They closed with “Davidian,” as fists punched the sky and voices roared in unison. A masterclass in intensity.

Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold had the honour of closing Tons of Rock this year, as the festival’s sole metal headliner. The grounds were packed with fans in band shirts, promising a tight crowd. After a striking visual intro, the band hit the stage to huge cheers, launching into “Game Over” and “Mattel” from their latest album. The digital show was impressive, with both band and crowd animated as zombies. The energy peaked with “Afterlife,” sending the crowd into a frenzy, followed by “Hail to the King,” “Buried Alive,” and “Nightmare.” “So Far Away” was dedicated to late drummer The Rev and all those lost, while “Unholy Confessions” featured a drum solo from Brooks. The set ended with the deliciously macabre “A Piece of Heaven” and a burst of fireworks, closing the festival in spectacular style.

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