Music
Latest news and information on music, the music industry, concerts, musicians, and more from Sweden.
Top tips: Sweden’s three biggest cities host free culture festivals
Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö all have free culture festivals coming up in the next few weeks. Here we pick out a few of the highlights from this year’s bulging schedules.
What are the best concerts in Sweden this autumn?
Now that Sweden has lifted its audience restrictions for public events, The Local's Paul O'Mahony lists his recommendations for the best gigs to attend over the coming months.
How this Swedish band helped me learn the language
Every so often a band comes along that teaches you a foreign language, as The Local's former managing editor Paul O'Mahony can testify.
LISTEN: Who's in the running to represent Sweden in Eurovision
Ben Robertson has been following Melodifestivalen around Sweden for the past six weeks. Ahead of the final on Saturday, here are his thoughts and predictions on the 12 remaining songs competing to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2020.
Listen to this year's winners of Sweden's Polar Music Prize
Sweden's biggest music award will this year go to American hit-song writer Diane Warren and Russian-born star soprano Anna Netrebko.
'Why Sweden's Melodifestivalen means so much to me'
Ben Robertson explains how moving to Sweden has only helped his love for the country's unique take on Eurovision Song Contest grow fonder.
Spotify reports increased loss despite user and subscriber growth
Swedish streaming service Spotify has reported an increased loss for 2019, driven by high levels of investment, but also reported an increase in both users and paying subscribers.
Why Melodifestivalen is Sweden's biggest TV show
Sweden's six-week tryouts for Eurovision have kicked off, and once again are dominating Swedish society. ESC Insight's Ben Robertson looks into how Melodifestivalen became such a large phenomenon in Sweden.
Ten Swedish Christmas hits for the festive season
With Christmas just around the corner, why not add a couple of traditional Swedish tunes to your playlist?
ASAP Rocky back in Stockholm for concert four months after assault trial
US rapper A$AP Rocky has returned to Sweden for a concert four months after he was convicted for assault following a street brawl in Stockholm.
Five amazing live music venues in Malmö
When Debaser closed four years ago, it was a blow for Malmö's live music scene. But the city has bounced back. Here are some of the best venues for gigs.
What's on: 10 Swedish festivals you shouldn't miss this summer
Wondering what to do in Sweden this summer? Here's our selection of ten great festivals across the country.
Spotify lodges EU complaint against Apple
Swedish music streaming giant Spotify said on Wednesday it had filed a formal complaint with the EU Commission against Apple, accusing its US rival of stifling competition in the online music market.
Swedish black metal band's gig cancelled by Singaporean authorities
Singapore axed a Swedish metal band's gig just hours before they were due to go on stage, accusing the band of promoting "Satanist views".
Hip hop pioneer and German violinist awarded Polar Music Prize
Grandmaster Flash, one of the pioneers of hip hop and DJ music, on Wednesday shared Sweden's Polar Music Prize with German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and US charity Playing for Change Foundation.
'Singing brings people together and can change the world'
MY SWEDISH CAREER: "Sweden has been good to me, and I feel very lucky that I've been able to be myself here," says singer, vocal coach and theatre school director Kimberley Akester.
Members' quiz: How much do you know about Swedish music?
Probably the only Swedish music quiz in the world that doesn't contain one question about Abba.
Nine of Stockholm's most exciting live music venues
From historic basement jazz clubs to slaughterhouses, Stockholm offers a wide variety of venues where you can watch live music performances. It doesn’t matter what age you are or what kind of music you prefer, there's a high chance that you'll be able to find the perfect venue for you. Here are nine of our favourite concert venues in the Swedish capital to start off with.
Swedish House Mafia reunite for homecoming gig... and another tour?
Electronic DJ supergroup Swedish House Mafia on Monday announced they will reunite for a concert in Stockholm next year, hinting a tour with new music would follow.
'I feel grateful that people really value the arts in Sweden'
MY SWEDISH CAREEER: "Music has never really been a choice that I've thought about; it was always what I wanted to do, but it was out of my control – in a good way," says 32-year-old Emily Honeyman, a bassist in Stockholm’s Royal Swedish Opera.
Spotify just announced a move that could shake up the music industry
Spotify has said it will allow select artists to upload songs directly, bypassing record labels or distributors.
Vinyl, Beach Boys and Tarantino: 12 Stockholm record stores to browse for hours
Stockholm offers many great shopping opportunities and you can find true musical gems in the city's cozy record stores. The Local has browsed through 12 of them.
'When I leave Sweden, my fairy tale becomes fake'
Alexandra 'Austin' Muirhead, 31, is about to run her first ever music festival, in Gothenburg. It comes at a hectic time for the Canadian, who is sleeping in a rehearsal studio as her working holiday visa is close to expiring.