Bendik will perform at Bergenfest 2026 Saturday, June 13.
Silje Halstensen, better known as Bendik, has been a distinct voice in Norwegian pop and indie rock for more than a decade. Since her 2012 debut Drømmen gjør meg ingenting, she has released a string of critically acclaimed albums, and songs like “Perfekt” and “Bror” have made her an artist many listeners feel a close connection to. She has been part of Bergen’s music scene for years, both onstage and behind the scenes, and has even worked backstage at Bergenfest. Now she’s on the lineup herself, and we’re excited to see her where she belongs: in front of the audience.
In 2026 she released the album Hysj, where the sound leans more toward a band-driven, rock-oriented expression. Bergens Tidende’s critic Petter Lønningen called it “the best Bergen rock in a long time,” noting that it’s a record no one but Bendik could have made. With a new album behind her and a sound that feels bigger, darker and more confident than before, Bendik is ready to deliver at Bergenfest — this time from backstage to center stage.