It can be achieved, it seems. Music can be both incredibly intense and ethereal. Gustav Ejsen’s Swedish quartet Dungen filled the Stage Three and the whole tent with gently rolling psychedelia, which seemed to be both timeless and firmly anchored to the past at the same time.

The opening song seemed to herald the whole gig. Ejstes’ acoustic guitar joined with rollicking bass lines, a bit careful vocals, infallible drum work and bubbling solo guitar. The subtle musical concoction seemed to draw in the listeners, one at a time.

Dungen’s stage act was professional to the bone. The musicians were skilful and creative, but didn’t regress to soulless technique-based performing, despite the progressive elements in their music. Even the long jamming sessions in the middle of song didn’t obstruct the general idea behind the Dungen’s music.

The hour-long tonal walkabout made clear that Dungen isn’t a band that likes to play the gallery. The spoken comments to the audience were few and far between, and the crowd’s applause returned only shy smiles. Nevertheless the connection to the audience seemed open and unrestrained. The band lived its music, and for a while, welcomed the listeners into their life.

Text: Hannu Linkola
Translation: Jari Rytkönen