Stockholm is buzzing with live music every day of the week and it can at times be hard to pick what to see. YLC’s music fan Nina Uddin guides you to the most interesting artists that are playing at Stockholm venues in the coming weeks. You can’t go wrong with any of these – so get out there and experience some great music live!
Elin Ruth – 13th October, Fasching
This Swedish singer-songwriter married an American and moved to Queens, New York a few years ago. Her latest album Here Comes the Storm has gained very favorable reviews in Swedish media, which will hopefully translate into Elin Ruth getting the success she deserves (having been somewhat underrated before). Her voice is full of personality and feeling, which goes totally hand in hand with the bluesy, soulful, American-influenced sounds recorded live at the legendary Daptone Records Studio in Brooklyn. Definitely to be experienced live!
Lucius – 15th October, Kägelbanan (Södra Teatern)
The Brooklyn-based Lucius brings us catchy and epic country folk indie pop with 60s girl-band harmonies and stomping percussion. They could quite simply be “the best band you may not have heard yet”, as Rolling Stone put it. If you still need convincing, see for yourself how there’s Nothing Ordinary about the band and its two front-women.
Linnea Olsson – 15th October, Södra teatern (main stage)
Oh well, one of those days when Södra Teatern has booked two excellent artists on the same date and you need to choose… Linnea Olsson combines singing and playing the cello like no one else. She has just returned from Peter Gabriel’s latest tour as part of his band and opening act. She’s also known for her collaborations with other artists like Ane Brun and Frida Hyvönen. Her second album Breaking & Shaking is due to be released on the same date as the concert.
Naomi Pilgrim + Little Jinder – 17th October, Debaser Medis
Club Popaganda brings out a great double bill of up’n’coming Swedish singers. Little Jinder has studied music at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. While her earlier music has been in English, she has now switched to Swedish and already gained some success with her recent single Vita Bergens klockor (on which she is joined by Rebecca & Fiona). The Swedish-Barbadian Naomi Pilgrim has been singing backup for Lykke Li (and more recently Swedish rock legends Kent). Her debut EP was released last year to much acclaim. She brings along hard beats as well as laid-back rhythms with her fantastic soul voice.
Michael Monroe – 19th October, Debaser Strand
Finland’s one and only true Rock Star Michael Monroe fronted legendary Hanoi Rocks in the 80s (without whom bands like Guns’n’Roses may not have existed). His solo material is energetic rock that is best experienced live with the 50+ rocker’s high-energy stage antics. In his band you can also see fellow Hanoi Rocker Sami Yaffa as well as Sweden’s own Backyard Baby Dregen.
NONONO – 24th October, Debaser Medis
As one of many representatives of the Swedish music wonder, NONONO have made a breakthrough internationally in the past year. Having toured the US this past summer on the back of their mega-hit Pumpin’ Blood, they are back in Sweden for live dates and a new single called One Wish.
Beatrice Eli – 1st November, Debaser Strand
After gaining recognition at home and abroad with her debut EP two years ago, Beatrice Eli returned with a bang this year with Girls, the ultimate coming-out anthem in very catchy pop form. She followed up with guest vocals on Kent’s album and now most recently with 80s retro sounding Moment of Clarity. The übercool singer is about to release her debut album Die Another Day on October 22nd and will celebrate the release with this gig.
Maria Mena – 2nd November, Södra teatern (main stage)
Norway’s Maria Mena can be described as very genuine and honest in her texts, which go together with her great sense on melody. She has six albums under her belt and has gained success in countries like Germany and Holland beside Scandinavia. She brings along a trio of musicians for an intimate concert at Södra Teatern.
St. Vincent – 4th November, Debaser Medis
The fascinating American singer-songwriter Annie Clark goes by her stage name St. Vincent and has released five albums – one of them in collaboration with Talking Heads legend David Byrne. Her music mixes many influences from indie rock and pop to cabaret jazz, and the arrangements tend to be complex with loads of different instruments. Her live shows are described as immersive and powerful experiences.
Linnea Henriksson – 9th November, Kägelbanan (Södra teatern)
Linnea Henriksson’s 2012 debut album brought her success and Artist of the Year honors from national public radio P3’s listeners. Her second album came out on Valentine’s Day this year and she’s spent most of the past summer touring. New tour dates this autumn bring her also back to Stockholm and Kägelbanan.
Clean Bandit – 13th November, Debaser Medis
You can’t have missed Clean Bandit’s hit Rather Be (featuring Jess Glynne), which was one of the summer’s big hits and has gained more than 200 million streams on Spotify. The British band has also already played at both Bråvalla Festival and Way Out West this year, to good reviews.
Angus & Julia Stone – 16th November, Berns
Australian brother-and-sister duo Angus and Julia Stone are playing bluesy alt folk. They released their third, self-titled album this year (beside having made two solo albums each). The album was produced by American music legend Rick Rubin, who was also more or less responsible for getting them back together. “This album is extraordinary; Angus and Julia are truly unique musicians”, is what Rubin has said.
Yelle – 28th November, Debaser Medis
French electro pop artist Yelle played this year’s Popaganda festival and had the audience eating out of her hand with her kooky charm and happy pop beats. The third album Complètement fou has just been released. You can expect contagious rhythms and catchy tunes, as well as a visually pleasing show.
Featured image: NONONO at Popaganda 2014
All photos: Nina Uddin
