By Rachel June

Góðan dag (good day) from the Faroe Islands! G! Festival isn't your average music festival. Built on a beach in the tiny village of Syðrugøta, it's where Faroese culture, breathtaking landscapes and boundary-pushing music collide. When ASBO received an invitation, we couldn't say no. 

I can honestly say that the Faroe Islands had never been on my bucket list. In fact, they had barely crossed my mind. As a self-confessed city girl, life on an island of just 50,000 people had never really been my calling. But as I approach 30, I've found myself craving something different. Somewhere with mountains instead of traffic, and silence instead of city noise. 

We travelled to G! Festival with no expectations, arriving ready to embrace the promised bright culture and mystical music. Before we knew it, we were standing at Gatwick Airport, boarding Atlantic Airways and heading somewhere that would completely surprise us.

"Slow down, there's no rush here" is the motto of the island and became the mantra for our trip. The Faroe Islands are so peaceful you couldn't possibly rush any of this.

Over the next five days, we discovered that G! Festival simply couldn't exist anywhere else.  

July 15th: Falling into Faroese Life

Day two took us to Tórshavn, one of the world's smallest capitals. With its grass-roofed houses, winding woodland pathways and colourful cafés, it felt more like being in a storybook than a capital city. We grabbed fish and chips and chatted in the glistening sunshine before hopping on the, wait for it, FREE bus back to meet the team.

As we arrived at G! Festival sound checks echoed through the mountains while festival-goers wandered, soaking up the atmosphere before the weekend officially began. Some even braved a swim in the sea, despite the cold, icy water.

Clear blue skies and warm sun stretched above us, something the locals repeatedly told us was "rare" and that we were "very lucky" to experience. It quickly became clear that Faroese people don't let the weather dictate their plans. Summer storms are all part of the fun.

Children swayed gently in hammocks, the sea sparkled beside the stage as the crisp air carried the sound of music across the site. Watching the festival slowly come to life, our anticipation grew with every passing moment.

July 16th: The Heart of the Islands

Our third day took us to a tiny Faroese village, where we hiked through breathtaking mountains and spotted puffins perched upon the cliff edges, happily chomping on fish before soaring out across the sea. As the mist rolled over the hills, the landscape transported us straight into Wuthering Heights. We half expected Heathcliff himself to emerge from the fog, gold earring and all.

Water streamed down the mountainsides, wildflowers covered the hills, and we climbed through tall grass, stopping every few minutes to admire another incredible view. Meanwhile, sheep spawned, appearing in herds around every corner.

It made me wonder what it must be like to grow up somewhere like this, where adventure and imaginative play are part of everyday life.

Our hosts introduced us to Faroese, which they described as a "dying language", but one that is deeply respected and proudly preserved. They taught us how to speak to their fluffy dog, Lexie, and I'm now proud to say I can give commands to a dog in Faroese. "Leg teg niður" (lay down), Lexie.

They also introduced us to local delicacies, including dried fish, which was a hard no from me, and Faxe Kondi fizzy pop, which was absolutely delicious. We tucked into green cake, or "Grøna kaka", as 10-year-old Unni proudly taught us to say. The cake had been baked by 13-year-old Owin, another of our wonderful hosts. It was these small moments that stayed with me the most. Spending time with a Faroese family offered a glimpse into everyday life that no guidebook ever could. 

That evening, the music reflected everything we'd experienced throughout the day. We heard the wonderful Aysay, the Copenhagen-based band blending Anatolian folk with Nordic electronica, before watching Faroese singer-songwriter Gówa perform an utterly breathtaking set.

As a Faroese artist, she told us, "It’s hard to be honest about feelings. I come from such a small community where everyone knows everything. It’s really hard, and I always wanted to write about how the circles you revolve around are so complicated. One of my songs 'Daddy are you real' is a song about my dad not being in my life. I showed it to my mum who asked me 'Are you prepared for everyone knowing your dirty laundry?', but it’s my story, and I can tell it if I want to. I don’t want to compromise my artistry because it’s a small community."

July 17th: Where the Festival Came Alive

By Friday, G! Festival was in full swing. Every corner of the festival offered something different. There was also the Rave Cave, where we threw it back to Jason Derulo and a soundtrack of contemporary pop and Afrobeats. As the music echoed through, everyone forgot their worries and embraced the universal language of dance.

Festival-goers proudly wore traditional Faroese knitwear made from local sheep's wool, although many of those jumpers were quickly abandoned once the dancefloor started heating up.

One of G! Festival's most unique experiences was its seaside spa. We soaked in the free hot tubs before plunging into the icy sea, then warmed ourselves in the sauna as fellow festival-goers broke into song. It perfectly captured the spirit of G!, where artists, journalists, locals and music lovers all came together as one community. 

That evening, Faroese rapper Marius DC set the beach stage ablaze. The 22-year-old artist effortlessly switched between Faroese and English, delivering politically charged, emotionally honest rap that sent the crowd into mosh pits. 

After his set, we spoke with Marius to talk about fashion, music and challenging expectations.

"Why are guys never sexy, why do the guys never show off? I'm gonna be sexy." His confidence and willingness to challenge traditional ideas of masculinity are woven through both his style and his music. 

Growing up in the Faroe Islands, Marius isn't afraid to push against the boundaries of a more conservative society. 

Marius DC tackles politics, identity and personal experiences with complete honesty.

"The reason we make music is for it to be received."

Drawing inspiration from artists including Bob Dylan, The 1975, Jim Legxacy, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, whom he calls "The greatest of all time", Marius is determined to make his mark far beyond the islands. His record Rap Saved My Life explores many of these themes, and it's well worth a listen.

With ambitions to perform at Glastonbury and on stages across the world, his final words to us felt fitting.

"Shoot for the stars, aim for the moon."

July 18th: Until Next Time

Saturday brought one incredible performance after another, beginning with one of the most unforgettable gigs I've ever experienced. My first ever punk rock concert took place... on a gorgeous sailing boat.

Tunghoyrt, made up of four 19-year-old musicians, shared their 90s-inspired punk sound, which echoed through the mountains as they screamed into the sea and threw themselves into every song with relentless energy. Their explosive performance transformed the sailing boat into a floating mosh pit. Before I knew it, I was headbanging, climbing around the boat and jumping right alongside them. Safe to say, this was my kind of boat ride.

Back on land, the music continued long into the evening. Elinborg's dark electronic sound completely captivated us, her haunting vocals creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere against the dramatic Faroese landscape. It was the perfect way to slow things down before one final burst of energy.

Closing out our festival experience was Dutch trio Collignon, whose infectious blend of guitar, keys, electronica and thunderous drums had the entire crowd jumping, dancing and waving their arms beneath the midnight sky. It was impossible not to smile. The perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

As our time in the Faroe Islands came to an end, it became impossible not to reflect on how much had changed in just five days. I had arrived thinking this tiny island would simply be the setting for a music festival. Instead, it became the story itself.

Thank you to Faroe Music Export for taking such excellent care of us throughout our visit. We were treated to incredible food, transported seamlessly between venues and welcomed with genuine warmth by everyone we met. The hospitality was every bit as memorable as the music.

If you've ever wondered whether the Faroe Islands are worth visiting, let this be your sign. Pack a windbreaker, bring a swimsuit and leave room in your suitcase for a woolly jumper you'll inevitably buy while you're there.

Some festivals are remembered for their headline acts. I'll remember G! Festival for the people who made it feel like home. 

G! Fest, we can’t wait to be back.