Michelle Ullestad

Foto: Bjørk Ellingsbø

Saturday 14. June 2025

Michelle Ullestad will play at Bergenfest 2025 Saturday, June 14. 

Michelle Ullestad has quickly established herself as one of the most promising artists and songwriters in Norwegian-language pop music. After being named Årets Urørt by NRK P3 in 2022, she has gained widespread recognition for her songwriting talent, honest lyrics, and melodic sensibility. With her unique ability to convey life’s most vulnerable moments in a relatable and captivating way, she has impressed audiences, the press, and the music industry alike. Songs like “Emilie,” “La meg ligge,” and “Jeg vil ha mer” have made her one of the most played Norwegian-language artists on national radio.

In 2023, Michelle Ullestad was nominated for Breakthrough of the Year at P3 Gull and for Songwriter of the Year at the Spellemann Awards for her debut album “ingenting varer evig” (“nothing lasts forever”). The album received glowing reviews and was included on multiple lists of the best Norwegian albums of the year, including Dagsavisen and Bergens Tidende. The album was followed by the Norwegian tour “Evig Høst” (“Eternal Autumn”) and a hectic festival summer in 2024, where she performed with her band, Ullestad United.

In the spring of 2024, Michelle received one of the Bergenfest grants from Bergen Live, which she used to build her own studio and write new music. Michelle Ullestad has always had a special connection to Bergenfest, starting her journey there in 2018 as a volunteer in the main bar before filling Magic Mirrors to the brim in 2022, moving the audience to tears. In 2025, she will return to Bergenfest, this time closing Bastionen on Saturday, June 14th.

“It’s absolutely insane!! I remember seeing Lars Vaular close Bastionen once. He floated in the air like an angel, and now I get to float. It’s going to be such a special night, and I’m SO excited. What an honor!!” says Michelle.

Michelle Ullestad is ready to show a new side of herself through the music coming this spring.