Metteson's theatrical background has given him innumerable tools to draw from with his growing confidence as a songwriter. Born and raised in Moss, a small coastal town 30 miles south of Oslo, Metteson studied acting at Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Some inspiring stage roles followed, but he found that acting gave him less space as an artist than he craved. "I got tired of speaking other people's words and singing other people's songs," he says. Starting songwriting whilst acting, Metteson's shimmering, emotionally literate music, described as kaleidoscopic pop (Guardian) and a gorgeous synth-pop symphony of devotion (i-D), caught the attention of Christine & The Queens last summer, when he was invited to play at her Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre. Known for his electrifying live shows, a blend of pop star dynamism and theatrical grandeur, Metteson packed 2,000 fans into his Oslo hometown show in 2022, and has already sold out Sentrum Scene on 16 March 2024. Curating live experiences, Metteson worked with the Edvard Munch gallery on an installation during Oya festival in Oslo in the summer, inviting fans to engage with his music and fashion designer Freidrich Floen’s garments, who designed the star hat: "Being queer informs my fashion choices, my imagery and the way I express myself. I hope I have a sensibility that is open to otherness. I want my concerts to be spaces where people can feel whatever it is that they need to feel," says Metteson.
Selling out his first London headline show at The Lexington, which was co-promoted by queer arts collective The Chateau, Metteson released electro-pop masterpiece “Waves” in November last year, written with new collaborator Bastian Langebæk (Jessie Ware, Zara Larsson, MNEK, Emeli Sande). Metteson's fierce belief in the power of imagination informs everything he does, from his transcendent live shows to avant-garde visuals. The strikingly choreographed video for "Put It to Sleep", a euphoric electro-pop anthem from the album, invites us into an evocative fantasy world where tears are made of sand. Choreographed by Metteson’s partner Ole, who stars in the video as a one-man microphone stand - described as “my little Gaga-moment” - the choreography moves between theatrical and vulnerable, with lucid silhouettes that bend to the repetitive electronic synths.
At this point, he created his artist name in homage to his mother, Mette – it means, quite literally, "Mette's son". Over the last four years, Metteson's fan-base has grown exponentially as he has shared sparkling pop gems including “Second Heart”, a love letter to the iconic female singers he grew up with, and the stirring ‘Under Your Shirt’. Last year, he performed his sublime power ballad “Never Let Me Go” at a special show marking 50 years of decriminalisation of homosexuality in Norway.
“You look to a star for hope. You look to a star and feel insignificant. You look to a star to remember your loved ones and past loves. You look to a star and you are blinded” says Metteson before his highly anticipated debut album reaches fans.
A strong supporter and member of the LGBTQ+ Music community, for Metteson inspiring the next generation of artists from all upbringings, gender and sexuality is a clear goal - “I feel like I’m becoming more and more experimental and liberated. I was very strict with myself and restricted my expression - a natural way to behave when you are protecting yourself - but I am proud of the perseverance and strength I’ve shown through those early years and that’s what has laid the foundation that I’m now dancing on. But I would say: You don’t have to be happy/smile. Allow yourself to fall in love with the straight boys and find time to cry more often!”