Music

Midsummer in words and tone - from idyll to horror

Bright nights and country-home idylls - the magic of Midsummer has left its mark on culture. Here are the films, books and songs to celebrate the holiday with.

Seinabo Sey skips this year's Victoria Concert for the Crown Princess

Singer Seinabo Sey is skipping this year's Victoria Concert at the Borgholm Castle ruins on Öland.

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi sentenced to 74 lashes

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without a veil during a live concert, the BBC reports.

Original Chicago member Walter Parazaider dies at 81

Walter Parazaider, one of the original members of the band Chicago, has died of complications from Alzheimer's disease, TMZ reports.

Stockholm's gas clock is being transformed into a new opera house

The transformation of Stockholm's historic gas clock into a new concert venue and temporary home for the Royal Swedish Opera is almost complete. The space can create new encounters for audiences, says the Royal Swedish Opera's CEO, Fredrik Lindgren.

Biggest price increases for live music over the past ten years as festival passes rise almost 70 percent

Prices for various cultural events have increased by 55 percent, almost twice the rate of inflation, over the past ten years.

Rapper Mystikal gets 20 years in prison for rape

Rapper Mystikal, who received several Grammy nominations in the early 2000s, will be sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a woman in her home in Louisiana in 2022.

Five new categories at next year's Grammys and Best New Artist rules change

Rod Stewart faces criticism after canceling San Diego concert due to illness

Rod Stewart is facing heavy criticism from fans after canceling a concert in California due to illness. He was attending a football match that day, reports The Independent.

Russian-born conductor donates 1 million Danish kroner prize to Ukraine

Russian-born conductor Kirill Petrenko surprised the audience when he accepted the prestigious Léonie Sonning Music Prize in Copenhagen. He announced he would donate the 1 million Danish kroner prize to those affected by the war in Ukraine, Danmarks Radio reports.

Victor Leksell will perform at the annual free concert in Mariehamn on July 25

Victor Leksell, Linda Lampenius and Magnus Uggla are among those who will perform at the annual free concert in Mariehamn on July 25.

American musician Oliver Tree said to have died in helicopter collision in Brazil

American musician Oliver Tree has died in a helicopter collision in Brazil, a police source told AFP.

Ella Tiritiello and Toussaint Chiza pay tribute to the royal couple's love story

Accompanied by a choir and orchestra, Ella Tiritiello and Toussaint Chiza celebrated the royal couple's golden wedding anniversary with a newly written ballad, "The Most Beautiful Love Song."

Sabaton goes on a big Swedish tour in 2027

2027 is the year of the Sabaton fan. Next year, the band will embark on “The Big Sweden Tour” - the band's biggest tour to date.

TV4 viewers missed Shakira's World Cup opening ceremony performance

TV4 viewers missed large parts of the World Cup opening ceremony. The channel did not broadcast Shakira's performance of the World Cup song "Dai Dai."

Ariana Grande lashes out at the White House after it used her song in a video about ICE

The White House used Ariana Grande's music in a video about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The world-famous star is furious.

Moonica Mac back again with new album this fall

It's been four years since her last album was released. This fall, Moonica Mac will release a new album, leading with a double single.

Former Kent members meet at Fotografiska in Stockholm

Photo: Martin Sköld. Music: Joakim Berg. In the new installation "Light Through the Fingers" at Fotografiska in Stockholm, two former members of Kent meet again.

Opus 13 string quartet receives Sweden's largest national music scholarship of 500,000 Swedish kronor

The Opus 13 string quartet receives Sweden's largest national music scholarship of 500,000 Swedish kronor.

Cornelis is celebrated at Cirkus this year - Körberg on site

There will again be a weekend tribute in memory of Cornelis Vreeswijk this year. On September 11–12, a large group of artists will gather at Cirkus in Stockholm to perform his music.

Another World Cup song to be performed at the opening ceremony

Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, Ejae and Megan Thee Stallion are the artists behind another World Cup song - "Dna" - which will be released ahead of the opening ceremony.

Jack White releases new album Frozen Charlotte on July 10

Jack White has new music in the works. The album "Frozen Charlotte" will be released on July 10th.

Eminem and Jay-Z in their first collaboration in 25 years

American rappers Eminem and Jay-Z are making their first collaboration in 25 years.

French singer and actor Patrick Bruel charged with rape

French singer and actor Patrick Bruel has been charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.

Mira Ray interprets Mikael Wiehe - a perfect 80s smoker

Artists such as Thåström, David Ritschard, Tomas Ledin and Lisa Ekdahl pay tribute to 80-year-old Mikael Wiehe on a new album.

Nick Reiner wants to pay for his defense with his inheritance

Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents, film director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer, wants access to a fund his parents established for him.

Karl Söderström awarded Friends of the Opera Scholarship for 2026

Baritone Karl Söderström has been awarded the Friends of the Opera Scholarship for 2026. The scholarship amount is 100,000 SEK.

Here are Spotify's summer songs for 2026

Zara Larsson and the company are responsible for some of the songs Spotify believes will be the most-played this summer.

Football fever at Allsång på Skansen this summer

Felicia, Hooja, Icona Pop and A-Teens are some of the artists coming to "Allsång på Skansen" this summer. There will also be a lot of football. "We will try to squeeze in as many World Cup songs as possible at the beginning," says program host Pernilla Wahlgren.

Music giants being sued over AI money

The American music union AFM is suing Universal Music and Warner Music.

Bo Kaspers Orchestra receives the Karamelodikt Scholarship

Povel Ramel's own prize goes to Bo Kaspers Orchestra. The band members get to share a large cone of caramels - and are made "financially independent for the rest of the day".

Bruce Springsteen opens new Center for American Music in New Jersey

The new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music in New Jersey opens on June 13, but it will not be a monument to the artist himself.

Protesters met Ye at Western European premiere in Arnhem

Nearly 40,000 people attended a concert by Ye, formerly Kanye West, in Arnhem, the Netherlands.

Boyzone says goodbye with last-ever concerts at Emirates Stadium

Boyzone has now said goodbye to their audience. On Saturday night, the former boy band played their last-ever gig.