The Dome in Tufnell Park transformed before our eyes, as Sylvaine’s first headline tour filled our hearts and minds with vivid images of a spiritual awakening—of nature and its lively spirits. With serenity and calm, the Eg Er Framand tour continues to transcend across European cities, supported by Osi and the Jupiter, enchanting crowds and bringing a little peace in times of turmoil.
Eg Er Framand means “I am a foreigner” in Norwegian, and it captures the essence of the world Sylvaine creates on stage. We all become foreign visitors in her vision—one that evokes the elven kingdoms of The Lord of the Rings and the unsettling forests of The Witch. The phrase is also the title of her latest EP, released last year. Promoted alongside other songs from her discography, it left us in a complete state of tranquillity.
This tour marks a pivotal milestone for an artist who regularly supports Eivør. Now, on a solo journey across Europe, Sylvaine spreads her wings, letting her music shine and close the night rather than open it, leaving it lingering in the corners of your mind as you drift to sleep afterwards. It’s a calm and beautiful contrast to the ringing ears you’d expect after heavier concerts. Sylvaine rightfully holds space within the metal scene and its many subgenres—a truth reflected in the audience: some wore battle jackets, ready not for a mosh pit, but for stillness, mindfulness, and calm. These gentle moments were cut through by harsh, visceral screams that filled the room with dread, perfectly encapsulating the female experience, which often intertwines lightness and softness with pain, fear, and rage. This duality is precisely why Sylvaine belongs in the metal scene.
That evening at The Dome, we were treated to eleven songs from her growing discography, masterfully balancing those themes. She stood alone on stage with nothing but a guitar and microphone—her performance stripped back, yet powerful, glowing like a beam of light. We heard three historical, traditional Scandinavian folk song covers, sung in Norwegian. The language barrier posed no issue—the melodies carried a depth of feeling that transcended words. All you had to do was close your eyes and let the music carry you through the collective experience. She also performed some of her more popular and beloved tracks, including the must-hear “L’appel Du Vide,” “Nowhere, Still Somewhere,” and “Mørklagt.” We all stood in the room, swaying gently like the crowns of trees in a soft breeze. This is the magic of Sylvaine: she makes you forget your body, feel weightless, and shapeshift into whatever your mind desires in the moment.
Osi and the Jupiter
As for Osi and the Jupiter—what a joy to learn that the mastermind behind the project, Sean Kratz, named it after his two German Shepherds. That’s just one of many connections the band forges between their music and the natural world. Hailing from Ohio, USA, this is their second European tour. In May, they released a new single, “Snake Healer,” teasing an upcoming album. On stage, their beautifully crafted mix of orchestral and ambient sounds—created through cello and guitars—was layered yet gentle, echoing nature’s own finest symphonies. You could hear the wind rising before a storm, raindrops tapping against windows, or a river flowing through woodland. The lyrics, too, stood out—evoking the raw power of the natural world and our connection to it. It sparked in many of us a desire to leave the city, sit by a fire, and reconnect with where we truly belong.
You can still catch Sylvaine, supported by Osi and the Jupiter, on mainland Europe before the tour ends on June 8th. For more information and ticket details, be sure to follow the artists on social media.