Byremo
BYREMO
Welcome to Byremo
Byremo is a small village in inner Agder, in southern Norway, at the northern tip of the lake Øvre Øydnavatnet. Around 700 people live in the Byremo area, which covers the old Grindheim municipality, surrounded by forest, water and hills. Of those, fewer than 300 live in Byremo itself. It’s also where Arthur grew up, and where much of his music was born.
It might look quiet at first glance, but Byremo has a musical history that reaches far beyond the village limits, all the way to Nashville.
A village that runs on music
In 1987, a group of locals founded Musikkverkstedet Byremo, a volunteer-run music workshop created to give young people a good place to grow up through music. For almost 40 years it has given young and adult musicians a place to meet, rehearse, play together and develop. Today it is a hub for rhythmic music in the region, with fully equipped rehearsal rooms and a long history of concerts and events.
Byremo has also left a clear mark on Norwegian country music. It is the home village of Bjøro Håland, one of Norway's biggest country artists of all time, who took his music from the farm Håland at Byremo all the way to the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry. A new generation followed, and in 2024 Arthur Stulien sang his way to the final of The Voice Norway. Both artists have received Musikkverkstedet's honorary award, Bjøro in 2022 and Arthur in 2024.
A dedicated Bjøro Håland exhibition is also planned in the village's old general store.
Byremo Scene
In September 2025, decades of local enthusiasm finally got a professional home. Byremo Scene is a new concert venue built inside the village's renovated old general store, designed from the ground up for live music.
With room for up to 300 people, the venue combines the closeness of a club stage with professional sound from d&b audiotechnik, extensive backline and easy load-in. The audience area spreads over two levels, with vintage lounges at the back and flexible space in front of the stage for both seated and standing shows. There is also a bar serving beer and wine, and a kitchen serving simple food.
Fun facts about Byremo
Getting here and staying over
Byremo lies in inner Agder, within driving distance of Kristiansand, Mandal, Lyngdal and Evje. The nearest train station is Audnedal, on the Sørland Line, about 15 km to the south.
Hotels
Eikerapen Gjestegard, Åseral (approx. 20 min drive)
The closest hotel to Byremo, set in quiet surroundings in Åseral, with some rooms looking out over the lake. It's a family-friendly place with 29 rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a garden, and the hiking starts right outside the door. Horse riding and mini golf are also on offer, and in winter the area is popular for skiing.
Dølen Hotel, Evje (approx. 45 min drive)
Setesdal's oldest hotel, founded in 1920, right on the banks of the river Otra in the centre of Evje. It has its own restaurant serving local food and its own culture stage.
Rosfjord Strandhotell, Lyngdal (approx. 50 min drive)
A family-friendly beach hotel by the fjord in Lyngdal, the municipality Byremo belongs to. Several rooms have sea views and private terraces, and there are also apartments for 4–8 people.
Utsikten Hotell, Kvinesdal (approx. 1 hour drive)
A modern hotel on a mountainside with sweeping views over the Kvinesdal valley and the Fedafjord, located between Kristiansand and Stavanger. The restaurant shares the view, and there's an award-winning golf course next door.
Something different
TreeTop Fiddan, Konsmo (approx. 30 min drive)
Handcrafted treehouses deep in the forest, about 7 km from Konsmo, built from local timber. Choose between a four-storey tower in the treetops by a quiet forest lake, with its own sauna and hot tub, or a log cabin on top of a cliff with panoramic views and a wood-fired hot tub.
Camping and motorhomes
There are several campsites within 45–60 minutes' drive of Byremo, including Kvavik Camping and Solstrand Camping near Lyngdal, and Evje-Kilefjorden Camping and Hornnes Camping in the Evje area.
Holiday rentals
The area has a good selection of cabins and holiday homes on Airbnb and similar platforms, many by lakes, with boats, kayaks and hiking right outside the door. Search for Byremo, Konsmo or Audnedal to find stays nearby.
