Traditional music
The folk music of Sweden carries the soul of its inhabitants. And this, although it has many similarities with that of its Scandinavian neighbors. Here, the mazurka, a dance music of Polish origin, the waltz, Swedish version of the waltz and especially the polska, a three-beat couple dance common to all Scandinavian countries... Played for centuries by the spelmän, folk musicians who are the true guardians of the tradition, this music has been transmitted from generation to generation before running out of steam at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1960s, folk music experienced a sudden revival, with many young people joining folk music clubs. A movement also amplified during the 1970s by Gärdesfesten, a kind of Swedish answer to Woodstock. Little by little, the roots of Swedish traditional music were mixed with modern influences such as blues, jazz or rock, giving birth to a new style, a sort of neo-folklore, carried by a few groups such as Folk och Rackare in the 1970s and 80s, then Draupner, Hedningarna, Sågskära or The Tallest Man on Earth (the latter being particularly well known outside Sweden).
Among the most commonly used traditional instruments are the fiddle, which is the most characteristic of Swedish music, the nyckelharpa, which could be translated as "hurdy-gurdy" and which found a second life with the folk revival of the 1960s, the Swedish bagpipes, the harmonica or the accordion.
One of the most beautiful places in the country to encounter traditional music is certainly Skansen, the open-air museum in Stockholm dedicated to Swedish folk life. The pride of Stockholmers, a family outing and a favorite with tourists, Skansen is now a popular meeting place, with a multitude of folk concerts and dances in the summer, and a Christmas market that attracts large crowds every year. Traditional festivals such as Midsommar, Valborg and Saint Lucia are celebrated here. Otherwise, at the beginning of August, the Urkult festival is held in Nämforsen, a family event dedicated to folk music from here and around the world.
Classical music
With no real outstanding composer to write it, classical music has only a short history in Sweden. The father of the genre is Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758), a baroque composer, sometimes referred to as the "Swedish Handel. His most famous work is the Drottningholmsmusiken, divided into 33 short movements composed for royal weddings. In the 18th century, Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792) became known as the "Swedish Mozart". An innovative composer, he remains little known outside of Sweden despite his brilliant compositions marked by finesse and dramatic contrasts. In the 19th century, it is Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927) who distinguishes himself, notably as one of the best pianists of his time. Influenced by German Romanticism in his early works, he later developed a more Swedish style, in which the impact of Jean Sibelius can be seen. At the same time, we should also mention the conductor and violinist Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960), whose work is part of the late romanticism. In the 20th century, Hilding Rosenberg (1892-1985) was one of the pioneers of modern Swedish composition.
In the lyrical arts, Sweden has repeatedly distinguished itself through its great voices. In the 19th century, soprano Jenny Lind (1820-1887) was one of the most popular opera singers. Just like tenor Jussi Björling (1911-1960) in the following century, who appeared on the world's greatest stages. A fame amply shared by the mythical soprano Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005) known worldwide for the strength and clarity of her interpretations. The century was also marked by the talent of the tenor Nicolai Gedda (1925-2017), soloist of the Metropolitan Opera, who knew all the great stages and the mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter who continues to amaze the public with her luminous tone.
While Sweden has several fine ensembles, it is clearly the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra that stands out. Designated as Sweden's national orchestra, it derives its prestige from the few conducting giants - Neeme Järvi and Gustavo Dudamel in particular - who have been in charge of it. The orchestra resides and performs at Göteborgs Konserthus but can also be seen outdoors in Slottsskogen Park during Music Al Fresco.
Jazz
As fans of the genre know, Sweden has a long jazz tradition. The reputation of the Stockholm and Umeå̊ festivals (in the north of the country) attracts large audiences and artists from all over the world every year. With a history rich in talent, Swedish jazz took off in the 1960s with pianist Jan Johansson (1931-1968). Still little known outside Scandinavia, the artist is nevertheless the author of the best-selling Swedish jazz album, Jazz på Svenska, released in 1964. He is the figurehead of a thriving scene where generation after generation of talented musicians have crossed paths: Arne Domnerus, who recorded albums with James Moody, Art Farmer and Clifford Brown and played with Charlie Parker; Lars Gullin (1928-1976), considered by some to be one of the finest baritone saxophonists in jazz history; Bobo Stenson, a pianist whose original playing and compositions opened the door to the prestigious ECM label; the hyper-prolific trombonist Nils Landgren; Magnus Lindgren, an excellent saxophonist and world-renowned figure in Swedish jazz; and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, which shakes up jazz codes. Or Lisa Ekdahl and her soft jazz, which is quite popular in France.
In Stockholm, the Jazz Club Fasching is a well-known address for aficionados, famous for inviting artists with free aesthetics that go beyond the simple framework of jazz. Also in the capital, jazz fans will enjoy Stampen, a stronghold of the genre. In Malmö, the Babel club cultivates a very good reputation, and in Gothenburg, in October, the Jazz Festival often welcomes some good names.
The pop
Sweden knows how to produce global hits like no other country. Starting with the famous ABBA, stars of the 1970s who introduced the world to Swedish-style pop. This legendary group is still one of the world's best-selling bands, with some 380 million records sold. Stunning! In the 1980s, it was the group Europe and their hit The Final Countdown that caused a sensation, selling 8 million copies. Since then, every generation has had its share of Swedish pop hits with astronomical sales figures: Roxette (70 million records sold) in the late 1980s, The Cardigans (15 million records sold), Ace of Base (30 million) and Kent (3 million) in the 1990s. At the same time, Swedish artists such as Neneh Cherry and Dr Alban were also producing global hits, each in their own genre. There's no denying that Sweden has a unique way of creating hits. This know-how and reputation are maintained today by artists such as Max Martin, the man behind some of Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC's biggest hits, or the duo Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson and Pontus "Avant" Winnberg, responsible for some of Britney Spears' greatest pop moments(Toxic, that's them), Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Kelis.
Another word on ABBA. Many fans travel to Sweden, and it would be a shame for them to miss Mamma Mia! The Party. Presented at the Rondo cabaret in Gothenburg, Mamma Mia! The Party is inspired by the Greek tavern in the film and the musical. The same warm ambience can be found here, as singers perform to the music of ABBA during the meal. Fans also won't want to miss the ABBA Museum in Stockholm. Here you can discover costumes, instruments, gold records and other objects that once belonged to the group. It is said that you enter by walking and leave by dancing..
Finally, there's every reason to believe that Swedish pop still has a bright future ahead of it: in May 2023, singer Loreen once again won the Eurovision Song Contest, which she had already won in 2012. She becomes the second artist to achieve this feat, and lifts Sweden into first place in terms of number of wins (7), tied with Ireland.
Current music
All the talent the country invests in tube-making is reflected in contemporary creations. The best example is without doubt The Knife. Formed in 1999 by the duo Karin and Olof Dreijer, The Knife has become one of the country's (and the world's) must-have bands, thanks to its radical message, enigmatic atmosphere and genre-shattering electronic music. Revealed to the general public in 2006 with their masterpiece Silent Shout, the band split up in 2014, devoting themselves to parallel projects. One of Karin Dreijer's projects is called Fever Ray, and her music is just about as fascinating and cult as The Knife's, somewhere between dub and occult ceremony.
Another must-see Swede, Lykke Li, charmed a large audience with her big-hearted electronic pop. Still in the electropop department, singer Robyn is adored for her devastatingly catchy singles, and duo Icona Pop left their mark on the 2010s with their track I Love It. Electronic again, but with a more experimental edge, we mustn't forget to mention the prolific Jay-Jay Johanson and his hazy music. Otherwise, to get the full measure of the quality of contemporary Swedish creation, a whole constellation of artists is well worth a listen: the arty songs of Jenny Wilson or Jens Lekman, the gangly rock of The Hives, The Hellacopters and (a little greasy) Viagra Boys or the disillusioned, nauseating hip hop of Yung Lean. More mainstream, it's impossible not to mention Avicii, the phenomenally successful DJ and producer who passed away in 2018. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Peder Mannerfelt, a highly respected figure in the techno underground. Also worth mentioning is Off The Meds, a group of 3 Swedish house producers and a South African vocalist, with their track Karlaplan, a tribute to Östermalm's eponymous square. Young singer Zara Larsson has also made a name for herself on the international scene.
In Stockholm, the biggest names go from big stages like Annexet to smaller, trendier ones like Debaser Strand or Fållan. In Malmö, good concerts take place at Plan B or Kulturbolaget. When it comes to festivals, the country is, unsurprisingly, very well supplied. Some of the big names are Trästockfestivalen, Skellefteå's big free music festival, with its six stages in Noranå Park; Lollapalooza in Stockholm, Sweden's version of the American giant; Way out West in Gothenburg, one of the country's best line-ups; and Visfestivalen in Västervik, with its big stage nestled in the castle ruins.
