Rolling Stones in Spotify's capital & short music guide around Stockholm
After few long days I spent in Oslo, the day I could finally do something different has come. I got a train to see the beautiful city of Spotify headquaters – Stockholm. I decided to take a train so I could admire Scandinavian nature easier. I did not expect that instead of admiring all the nature aspects, I would devote all of my attention to my newly made friendship. Thanks Gilles you sat next to me! Well, amazing people stuck into the memory much deeper than the wonders of nature.
My Stockholm's trip seemed to be really promising and it was not only about the fact Mick Jagger doesn’t sing from playback. Stockholm has plenty of musical attractions to see - if you aren’t keen on checking all of oh-so-important historic monuments and museums out, you'll still find your schedule quite filled up. Stockholm is the capital of few important music museums. If you also consider to listen live music every night I could even say you’ll get tired from all of it! You won’t get bored, that’s for sure.
Stockholm makes you fall in love at first sight. It is completely different than modern Oslo. Historic architecture and the number of bridges gives you a flashback from Wrocław. I know I pick on Oslo again but it is worth to mention that a long time ago in the galaxy far,far away this city was completely burned down. It was completely destroyed in the past just like Polish capital Warsaw. And I cannot see the same charm in the spirit of the city, just like Wrocław or Kraków... Am I wrong?
However, following the music path... We already know that Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and Spotify. Following the count, it is also the city of worldwide known quartet who sold over 380 million records (mamma mia!). And this number is growing and growing although the quartet split a long time ago. You probably already realized I am talking about ABBA - the second most popular band in the world right after The Beatles. In honour of the success they reached during their career, the ABBA museum has been opened. ABBA fans must feel treated as I did while attending Hendrix's museum in London. If you don't like ABBA, consider yourself visiting the Music Hall of Fame or the Museum of Music.
After exploring cultural side of town let’s dive into the culture of different sort and enjoy the Stockholm’s nightlife. You don’t have to look too far to spend long hours listening good, live music. Stockholm has a wide range of venues with live music playing every night. I would like to briefly mention four venues like Fasching, Stampen, Wirstroms and Engelen. First of all, I visited only those four places and secondly, the majority of them are equal to the legendary venues from London. That encouraged me to visit all of them somehow.
Let's start with Fasching. Fasching is a jazz venue with a well-known brand in Sweden. Opened in 1977 as a jazz club and restaurant, it served also as a disco club for about a decade before 77’. The word “Fasching” means the last day of the carnival and is celebrated mainly in Germany. Disco parties are not happening there anymore, but the name and jazz are still in the place.
Stampen has been the center of the blues scene in Stockholm since 1968. Just like Wirstroms and Engelen, it is located at the old market square. Stampen has two levels, two stages and two well-stocked bars plus jam sessions every Saturday. However, do not wait for Saturday because every single day you can expect different type of noise.
If you can't get to Stampen, the Wirstroms pub is also a good alternative.
Wirstroms was a bakery until 1998, nowadays there's a bar and restaurant inside. Live and free music is played from Tuesday to Saturday. It's the only Irish pub around the old market.
From the other hand, Engelen used to be a pharmacy, where until 1969 was a leech farm in the cellar. The official website also reports there was the Guinness record set in Engelen – |”The most of Beatles haircuts performed” - nonetheless Wikipedia is silent in this subject.
All these places, excluding Fasching, are located in the very central part of the city, only a few minutes walk away from each other.
The musical spirit of the city does not end here. The list of clubs and music bars is much longer. While checking the schedule of concerts, do not forget about Nalen, Debaser Medis or Annexet - all those venues are large concert halls. Pet Sounds Bar or Mosebacke are good alternatives if you prefer small bars with a vibe around them.
Summarizing this short affair with Sweden, I would say that it is not only worth to go there because the city itself is breathtaking, and serves multiple attractions in the style that will match each out of you. Airplane tickets may be more expensive from Poland to Oslo, but prices in Sweden are much lower. You get less stressed doing shopping than in Norway, that's for sure. You can have two drinks at a bar in Sweden while in Norway for the same price you have one.
The trip ended more than good. Now I can assure you that Mick Jagger does not sing from playback, and his iconic snake moves look the same like in his music videos. I will never cease to wonder how it’s even possible that the band has kept the same members for so many years. After all, the chemistry between two people happens so rarely and here we have the example of few people who can't exist without each other and it lasts and lasts for so many years! In all of that daze and joy Rolling Stones really are alive, I was only saddened by the number of smartphones constantly kept up in the air. And also I was saddened by that row of people sitting in front of me who were sending photos and videos through thousands of applications which names I couldn’t even repeat. But this is a completely different story...