Rock on a volunteer basis since 1990!
Since 1990
A brief summary of the history of RiP
The idea of Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn (RiP) began to take shape in 1990, when a group of music-loving and proactive young adults in and around the cultural hub Øvre Frednes felt that the concert scene in Porsgrunn was lacking. Inspired by the classic DIY spirit, they started brainstorming ways to organize shows themselves.
On August 18, 1990, a concert featuring Chris Erichsen's Orchestra and Englevakt was held at the outdoor stage at Øvre Frednes. It became a legendary event when the police showed up and cut the power – but the concert continued acoustically. In the promotion for this concert, the name Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn appeared for the first time.
For the next concert, featuring Bøyen Beng and Circus Maximum at Gamle Vic (the basement of Hotell Vic), the organizer's name varied between "Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn" and "Porsgrunn Rockeklubb" – for reasons unknown.
It was during the promotion of the concert with The Tracemen and OppNed that the R.i.P logo, as we know it today, made its first appearance – and the brand R.i.P – Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn was born.
In 1997, Pål Berby and Tove Nystrand took over the leadership of R.i.P, bringing fresh energy into the club. RiP began using the basement of the nightlife venue Park as its new location. However, after just two years, RiP had to relocate due to plans to open a restaurant in the space.
At the same time, Grenland Bluesklubb was facing challenges with its own venue, which led to a collaboration between the two clubs. In 1999, this partnership resulted in the establishment of the Sort & Blå Scene.
In the early years, summer concerts were held at the outdoor stage at Frednes, while winter events took place in the basement of Hotell Vic, Porsgrunn's only hotel until 2019. Eventually, a collaboration was established with the venue Kjelleren (located in the basement of Folkets Hus), which had a small rock corner with a stage that RiP was allowed to use.
From 1990 to 1995, RiP organized around 60 concerts, featuring approximately 90 artists.
In 1996, activity at RiP was nearly nonexistent.
This time, the journey led back to the basement of Folkets Hus, where RiP remained for four years. However, a combination of too much capacity (350 people), rising rent, and access to a more suitable and well-known venue led to Sort & Blå Scene moving back to the basement of Park. Since 2003, Sort & Blå Scene and RiP have been based at the same location.
In December 2013, the blues club withdrew from the collaboration, and RiP has since operated the venue independently. With a good relationship with the landlord, a central location, and a capacity of 160 people – well-suited to the size of the city and the types of artists RiP presents – the club is very satisfied with its current setup. Looking back, there's no doubt: RiP belongs in a basement.
🔧 DIY Spirit and Community
RiP has always been driven by a strong DIY ethos, running on rock-fueled volunteer work for over 30 years. The club has a large board composed of people of varying ages, backgrounds, skills, and interests – a strength that ensures quality and smooth execution across all areas.
RiP focuses on creating great experiences for artists, audiences, and crew – from arrival to departure. Stability in the board and crew, and recruiting new members from those already passionate about RiP, ensures strong engagement across the club. Visiting artists often comment on the welcoming and dedicated people they meet at RiP.
🙌 Volunteer-Driven and Passion-Fueled
RiP is run entirely by volunteers. Over the years, many music-loving souls have contributed to the long-standing effort that RiP represents. The foundation of the club is love for music and a burning desire to contribute to Porsgrunn's cultural life.
A full overview of bands that have played at RiP over the years can be found under the Concert History section. RiP now builds its program on a half-year basis, aiming to book bands across various rock-related genres to satisfy a broad and growing audience. Supporting new and emerging bands is part of RiP's ideology, and the club strives to be a stage for local artists, both as headliners and support acts.
🛏️ Hospitality and Recognition
Homemade food and cozy, private accommodation have long been trademarks of RiP. With increased activity and pressure on a few hosts, Hotell Vic is now used for lodging – a place with a long history with RiP.
In 2006, RiP was nominated for Concert Organizer of the Year 2005 by the Norwegian Rock Federation, placing second after Kroa i Bø. That same year, RiP received the Cultural Award from Porsgrunn Municipality. RiP was also a finalist in 2009, and again in 2014 and 2016.
👥 Leadership and Design Awards
In January 2012, Pål Berby stepped down as RiP's leader after steering the ship since 1997, handing over to Dan Alexander Jupskås. In January 2015, Pål returned, but when he fully stepped away in 2019, Heidi Bekkevold took over – a role she still holds.
RiP won the Concert Poster of the Year award from Norske Konsertarrangører in both 2014 (a series by Loco Mosquito/Kenneth Apeland) and 2015 (Kåre & The Cavemen – Kenneth Jørgensen), thanks to fruitful collaborations with local poster design talents.
🔞 Youth Engagement and KRØSS
RiP has always maintained an 18+ age limit at its venue, long being the only place in the Grenland region with such a policy. This was a deliberate choice to ensure that young adults could enjoy concerts outside the typical school or cultural center offerings.
RiP also collaborates with the municipality on under-18 concerts, and has hosted all-ages events. The club has twice partnered with Porsgrunn High School on poster design projects. In recent years, RiP has invited youth to organize their own event – KRØSS – where they take full responsibility for artist selection, planning, promotion, and execution, including sound and lighting. In 2024, KRØSS will be held for the fourth time, and it's already clear that the initiative is building skills, interest, and inspiration in the growing youth music scene in Grenland and surrounding areas.
🏆 Ultimate Industry Recognition
On March 2, 2018, RiP received the ultimate recognition in the industry when colleagues at Norske Konsertarrangører (NKA) voted Rockeklubben i Porsgrunn as Concert Organizer of the Year 2017! RiP won in a final round that included Rockefeller, Parkteateret, Studentersamfundet in Trondheim, and Terminalen.
RiP also won Concert Photo of the Year 2017 for a photo taken by Max Emanuelson of The Dogs/Kristopher Schau at RiP in February 2017.
2017 was a great year ❤
🎉 30+2 Year Celebration
In 2020, RiP planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary, but the pandemic got in the way. Instead, a 30+2 year celebration was held in August 2022, both outdoors and inside the club.
On the big outdoor stage: Kvelertak, bob hund, Honningbarna, and local rising stars Krokodiles.
Inside RiP: NÖD, Emanuel Desperados, Edgars, and Swedish Ska'n'Ska played to a packed house.
It was a legendary celebration with the world's best audience, the world's best volunteers, and amazing artists with ties to RiP's history. The event was a tribute to the first 30+2 years – and it turned out even better than we dared to dream.
Spring 2024 – A Booking Milestone for RiP
In spring 2024, RiP reached a booking milestone when one of Norway's biggest rock bands – Seigmen – kicked off their festival season and upcoming national tour with an intimate concert for 160 people in RiP's basement venue!
For this special show, custom t-shirts were printed featuring artwork by Loco Mosquito, the same design used for the silkscreen poster he created for the concert. Loco Mosquito also designed and printed the tickets, which were sold in person only on a dedicated date at RiP. This led to fans traveling from far and wide, lining up early to secure their ticket – just like in the old days, before everything was emailed, downloaded, and printed on boring paper. True old school, with tickets that end up on the wall as beautiful concert memories.
After many years of organizing shows, we've learned that anything is possible if you believe in it strongly enough and do the work with your heart on your sleeve.
RiP has no plans to stop – we're aiming for at least 30 more years of rock-fueled volunteer work and unforgettable concert experiences on a small stage!
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