– I’m already sick, but it’s worth it

The music is thundering, the buses are lined up, and the weather hasn’t been better since last summer.

When asked what expectations they have for Landstreff Stavanger, the Russian answers, among other things:

– A little tinnitus.

– Life and atmosphere.

– Drinking. Alcohol.

Nora Nikoline Nærseth (18) says that she is looking forward to meeting lots of people:

– The atmosphere – all drunks gather in one place, it’s boozy.

Here, the Russian shows his best party tricks:

On stage are artists such as Tix and Wiz Khalifa, but on Friday afternoon they weren’t the ones making life.

The Sandnes boys in the Russian bus “Hjuling” say that they have spent around NOK 500,000 on a high-quality music system.

– If you are going to compete, at least at the national meet, you have to spend a lot of money, says Anders Malmin.

The bus is also equipped with a mixing desk on the roof:

– We have pulled some strings and tried to get Martin Garrix up on the roof there later tonight, says Tobias Grøtteland as he points towards the top of the long bus.

– Has he said yes?

– We try.

Earlier this year, “Hjuling” won best sound and best bus for Rogaland. Join in:

Tobias claims that the total of 22 boys have spent around NOK 100,000 each, excluding the sound system.

– You also have other costs. You have the national meet, but also alcohol, events and clothes. So … we have spent a lot, says Anders.

Tobias says that this is, after all, something they have worked and saved hard for:

– Everyone has a job, some are apprentices, there is no one who gets it sponsored by dad here.

– How broken will you be on Sunday?

– I’ve already started to get sick, so the pain will soon take over, Tobias replies.

– I’m already sick, but it’s worth it, adds Anders.

In addition to being the first day of Landstreff Stavanger, it is also Football Shirt Friday.

Many Russians had dressed for the occasion:

– It is to support children and young people with cancer, explains Mathias Øvreberg (18).

Wow, look at all those suits!:

One of the members of the group Ballinciaga was also dressed in Albania’s national team uniform. See the interview with the artists here:

Some also had a longer journey than others to get to the national meet.

The flight VG took from Gardermoen on Friday morning was crammed full of junk, many of them from Trøndelag:

It is clear that a lot must also be in place when 15,000 are gathered in one place.

Press officer Aasmund Lund tells VG that during the weekend they carry out around 8,400 volunteer hours.

– We have professional guards, and close cooperation with the police, the Red Cross and the fire service. We have TV surveillance, good lighting in the park, as well as night owls that patrol the outside of the park for the guests’ safety. In addition, we are a partner with Amnesty, which has the consent campaign “Har du lyst” visible around the festival grounds, says Lund.

He also points out that everyone has a personal responsibility to ensure that the weekend is a good experience for everyone.

– We expect normal customs and respectful behavior, and that the guests take care of themselves and each other, says Lund, and at the same time makes several calls to the Russians:

– Take care of each other, speak up if you feel unsafe, keep your drink in a closed container, and remember to drink enough water – it will be hot and sunny!