Think Sweden and memories of ABBA, Eurovision and Loreen are conjured from the ether. But as we debunked in our guide to the 2013 Eurovision host city in Malmö the country is responsible for far more than winners of the world’s biggest music contest.
Think Robyn, Lykke Li, The Knife, The Hives and Miike Snow and you’re only beginning to scratch the surface of the Swedish music scene.
Stockholm by default as the capital of this Scandinavian country is one of the country’s greatest cultural centres alongside Gothenburg.
For this metropolis of nearly 900,000 inhabitants the centre of all things ‘indie’ is located in the Södermalm district.
With a variety of popular music venues and a community of musicians and artists living there some of Stockholm’s most creative music is cultivated in this area.
There is little doubt as to why the city is home to a vibrant music scene with educational centres such as Elecktronmusikstudion (EMS) organizing courses and events where artists can access the national centre for electronic music and sound art’s six studios and library archives.
By fostering talents through centres such as this and with a strong education system local Stockholm artists are provided with an environment that allows them to flourish.
Not to mention the government’s support of the arts sector and it becomes unsurprising that local acts have found a platform to carry them into international success.
Such success stories, which come in the form of Swedish House Mafia and Avicii, also demonstrate the city’s lively dance music scene, while some of the world’s best DJs have come from the Swedish capital.
The local music scene may have diversified since the days of ABBA, Ace of Base and Roxette, bur as most the above names would suggest pop music still reigns supreme in Stockholm
With a 2013 Chamber of Commerce report revealing that around 30,000 people are moving to Stockholm each year there is no telling just how much the city’s music scene will change in the future.
But the fact remains; Stockholm wouldn’t be attracting this population spike without vigorous artistic and music scenes.
Shop
Pet Sounds Records, Skånegatan 53
If a salivation inducing collection of records doesn’t lure you in this store, than cult-art books, gig tickets and food and drinks at the petite in house bar will. With sections dedicated to indie, alt-rock, pop, techno, rock, Latin pop and much more one visit here and you may find your record hunting desires fulfilled. Once you’re finished don’t forget to cross the road to sister venue Pet Sounds Bar for some live music in the evening.
Record Hunter, St Eriksgatan 70
As the name suggests this record store is only for those vinyl lovers looking to do a little digging. With a basement cluttered with records in good condition the store also has a worthy section of cheap retro vinyl. Secondhand DVDs and a music section dedicated to kids might also be worth a perusal. But while you’re there you should definitely enquire about what gigs they’re selling tickets to.
Rönnells Antikvariat, Birger Jarlsgatan 32
As one of the largest second hand book stores in Scandinavia when this establishment turned 80 in 2009 it celebrated by staying open 80 hours straight with non-stop literature readings, musical performances and film screenings. It’s exactly what locals expected from one of Sweden’s most notorious bookstores. Aside from an astounding collection of second hand books Rönnells have their own publishing house, which also releases music. Expect to find more than a few music-related book gems here.
Listen
Popaganda
Held over two days usually in August this music festival books local and international acts that range from electronic to folk in genre. With two stages the Eriksdalsbadet site, which is a municipal swimming and sport centre provides a unique setting for a music event of this type. While 2013 saw the likes of The xx, Hot Chip, TEED and Noah and the Whale to name but a few, past performers have included Friendly Fires, Damien Rice, MGMT and Lykke Li.
Debaser, Karl Johans Torg 1
Undoubtedly the home of rock in Stockholm Debaser hosts local bands most nights of the weeks with the remaining nights allocated for DJs. Situated under a bridge in an old distillery this music venue is as shabby on the outside as you’d expect from a rock club. But don’t let aesthetics let you down as the frequently long queues demonstrate the music inside is provided by some of Stockholm’s best musicians.
Fylkingen, Södermälarstrand 27
As one of the birthplaces of Swedish electroacoustic music with the first gig of the genre held in the early 1950s here, the establishment was founded as early as 1933 as a forum for new music and intermedia art. Converted from a brewery this establishment as become a haven for fans of alternative, DIY and experimental music.
See
Swedish Music Hall Of Fame, Djurgardsvagen 68
Located on the island of Djurgården a short distance from the city centre this establishment pays homage to the music of Sweden with exhibitions on Swedish popular music, the Hall of Fame and ABBA (read below). Opened in May of 2013 this interactive museum allows visitors an education in the evolution of Swedish popular music from the 1920s onwards, while the Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements of artists like Ernst Rolf and Swedish House Mafia. Videos, images, texts and memorabilia make up the visuals of the stories of different decades throughout the history of Swedish music.
A.B.B.A The Museum, Djurgardsvagen 68
If the lack of a Eurovision museum in Europe is getting you down than this ABBA inspired establishment should elevate your mood. Located near the Gröna Luna theme park on the island of Djurgården this museum is the permanent home of the ABBAWORLD exhibit that toured Europe and Australia between 2009 and 2011. Stage costumes donated by band members, artifacts and gold records are found inside the museum. Inside the ABBA tribute house you can find out what you would look like in an ABBA costume, while you can also sing at the Polar Studio, experience hologram illusions and see yourself entering the stage with the band.
Stockholm Galleries
Bastard Gallery (Östgötagatan 87A) and Dktus (Trädgårdsgatan 4) have all cultivated different subcultures through non-profit agendas that promote the underground art and music cultures of Stockholm and Sweden. Bastard Gallery hosts a range of different exhibitions, parties and events, while Dktus puts together seminars, workshops, film screenings, exhibitions and music-related cultural events.
Stockholm Acts You Should Check Out
Niki & The Dove – Soundcloud
As the creators of one of the most overlooked pop records in 2012 this three-piece still found a fair amount of buzz through a nomination in BBC’s Sound Of 2012 poll, not to mention their signing with prestigious labels such as Sub Pop and Mercury Records. If you haven’t heard the synth pop greatness of their debut Instinct, you’re clearly missing out.
First Aid Kit – Soundcloud
Johanna and Klara Söderberg have sweet smiles, play bittersweet country and folk music and also do a pretty swell collaboration with Conor Oberst on their track ‘King Of The World’. With two albums under their belt, including 2012’s The Lion’s Roar, the sisters have indulged their Australian fans with appearances at Falls Festival and Golden Plains in that same year. There’s a not a lot you can’t fall for here.
Peter Bjorn and John – Soundcloud
When ‘Young Folks’ became this outfits breakthrough track in 2006 and the album it came from, Writer’s Block, it exposed the three-piece to the world. But instead of capitalising on the indie pop act’s previous two albums, or sticking around for their next three most of the folks who jumped on the bandwagon for that one song quickly ditched for the next big indie hit. Which is unfortunate because Peter, Bjorn and John have six albums worth (and not to mention a tonne of brilliant remixes) of incredible Swedish pop music.
