Festival preview: Accelerator
Göteborg: June 28
Stockholm: June 29-30
www.acceleratorfestivalen.se
MUST SEE:
Jens Lekman
With a new, awesome, 50's sounding single and an looming album, this might be the first chance to hear new material from one of Sweden's finest. Of course it should be taken. (H)
Jens Lekman was the name on everyone's lips at the same time as José González was on the rise, around 2003-2004; you could hardly go anywhere without running into either of them. New album out this fall, I'm really looking forward see this melancholic sounding man again. (CS)
The Tough Alliance
Will the gig last longer than 20 minutes? Will they be sober? Will they do the shocking thing and actually sing live??? In any case, it will be a spectacle. (H)
Taken By Trees
Victoria Bergman (ex-Concretes and "Young folks" vocalist) brings her solo album to stage. With a backing of Björn Yttling, Erland Øye and Jens Lekman, it will be a true all-star band, with Victoria's irresitible voice. (H)
Lykke Li
Soft, delicate piano ballads and the most fragile voice, that's Lykke Li for you. A girl definitely on the rise, being picked to play on Accelerator always equals something special when it comes to a debutant. (CS)
A new singer/songwriter? *yawn* But wait! Lykke Li produces the best kind of lo-fi, the kind that feels intimate, near but not grainy. The one that uses lo-fi to enchance the songs frailty, not hide shoddy songwriting. Add to that one personal voice and Lykke Li has what is needed to make the audience stop and listen. (H)
Frida Hyvönen
With a voice that makes my body tremble and with songs that sets souls on fire, she's easily among Sweden's top leading artists in the singer/songwriter genre. With critically acclaimed records ("Until death comes", "Pudel") I'm sure that her gig in Stockholm will be one of the more beautiful ones. (JA)
[ingenting]
Kate Nash and Cold War Kids couldn't make it so Swedish indie pop combo [ingenting] is filling in both at Göteborg and Stockholm. Seeing as I kind of enjoyed "Punkdrömmar" and their latest work, I'm definitely checking these guys out. (JA)
"Punkdrömmar" was one of the best songs of last year; the album "Mycket väsen för ingenting" was quite special as well. Surf music meets the Pixies. Live, the band has its ups and downs; hopefully the gig at Trädgårn' in Göteborg will be one of the ups. (CS)
José González
With a new record soon to be released, anticipations are high from both critics and fans. Even though I'm not that big of a fan myself, I recognize talent when I see one. And he's got it. Due to interviews with him about the new record and it being darker, angrier and more gloomy, I can put my principles aside for a while and give him a chance. (JA)
Who could have guessed that the shy and considerate man from Göteborg, who once thought that his cover of "Heartbeats" by The Knife sucked, would become the hugely successful artist he is t day? The road to stardom started with "Veener" in 2003, now I want more. (CS)
Loney, Dear
From producing his own CDR in his basement to being on his way to conquer America with that slender pop music of his, Emil Svanängen has certainly been a busy little bee since he first emerged a couple of years ago. Will this be the big breakthrough in Sweden as well? (CS)
MUST MISS
Peter Bjorn & John
Sure, "Young folks" is amazing. And the band is great. But they've played everywhere this last year. Spend this time discovering something new instead! (H)
Don't believe the hype. Peter Björn and John has got one good song, and that's it. I like Björn Yttling better when he's sitting in the producer's chair and helping the likes of Shout Out Louds put out really good records. (CS)
Taken By Trees
When The Concretes announced that lead vocalist Victoria Bergsman had left the band, lots of people wondered what was to come with their big breakthrough just waiting to happen. In retrospect, the band did manage without her and I, and many with me I guess, thought that that was the last we'd seen of Bergsman on stage. But no. She's back with a new alias. To be honest, I have never been too optimistic about her former band and I can't say I'm into this either. (JA)
What is this? The Concretes Part II? Victoria Bergman may have the voice of an angel (a totally bored out one) but as a live experience... A catastrophe. I don't care if both Björn Yttling and Jens Lekman join her on stage, you can find many more interesting artists on this year's Accelerator festival. (CS)
The Tough Alliance
The biggest joke of 2005. Although "Koka-kola veins" is quite a catchy tune, and the new album promising, I simply can't understand why people would want pay money to see two drunken guys miming their own songs. (CS)
Frida Hyvönen
I've never really understood Frida Hyvönen. I was totally taken aback when this girl from the northern parts of Sweden suddenly received prizes and played just about everywhere. To me the music of Frida Hyvönen just sounds like a big whimper. (CS)
Studio
Once again a band who's reputation exceeds the actual performance. Electronic dance music in the form of a duo from Göteborg, have we ever heard of that one before? At least I hope they actually sing their own songs instead of just miming. (CS)
Who's who:
JA: Jonas Appelqvist
H: Hanzan
CS: Christian Stenbacke