The punk band Röda Naglar is set to perform on the evening of January 20th, with the theme being "How to boost Skellefteå's music scene."
In order to stimulate the development of the music scene in Skellefteå, the Skellefteå Musical Association is inviting musicians and organizations to a panel discussion in January. The idea is to find out how to create better conditions for creating and performing music in Skellefteå.
– In the 1990s, Skellefteå emerged as a top-class music city, with the highlight being when it was awarded Swedish Pop City of the Year in 2002. In the intense expansion phase that Skellefteå is currently undergoing, it feels like it can happen again. However, this development may need both support and a push. To have creative discussions and coordinate our resources, we invite everyone to this day, along with other dedicated stakeholders, says Thomas "Linge" Lindgren, chairman of the association.
Thomas Linge Lindgren: "In the 1990s, Skellefteå emerged as a top-class music city, culminating in its designation as 'Swedish Pop City of the Year' in 2002."
Åsa Granlund Jonsson, musician and teacher in the Esthetic Music Program, is part of the panel and wants to highlight the possibility of making a living from music in Skellefteå:
– Can a young, driven musician stay here and make a living? Does a dedicated band want to remain in town? I meet many of these young talents in my everyday life at Estet Musik, and for their future, drawing from my own experience as a musician, I hope that we take some concrete steps.
Åsa Granlund Jonsson, musician and teacher, aims to raise the issue of the possibility of making a living from one's music in Skellefteå.
Sara kulturhus is also one of the co-organizers. Sofia Andersson Lundberg, program director, says:
– One of the most important things we do at Sara kulturhus is to present local music on our stages.If we can contribute to a positive development by supporting courageous actors such as everyone at Mullberget, we will do it.
Sofia Andersson Lundberg: "One of the most important things we do at Sara Kulturhus is to showcase local music on our stages."
Felicia Selin is involved in various contexts, such as the Mullberget cultural association, Studiefrämjandet and Verksamhetshuset Hubben. She is very positive about the possibilities of cooperation on a day like this:
– Mullberget, Studiefrämjandet and all the others together, with the right partners and support, have great opportunities to make Skellefteå a pop city again, a cultural city worth living in and staying in. I hope that this day will be a cultural boost for Skellefteå. More culture for the people.
Felicia Selin: "I hope the day becomes a cultural boost for Skellefteå. More culture for the people."
Thomas "Linge" Lindgren encourages all music lovers:
– Come to Sara kulturhus for a day and evening that is crucial for Skellefteå's musical future. During the day we'll discuss how we can create even better conditions for making and performing music. In the evening we'll present the best young bands Skellefteå has to offer on Sara's biggest stage. Come and listen during the day, and then we'll fill Stage 1 and create musical magic together
Leif Rehnström of The Drowners: "It would be awesome if Skellefteå could become a music town again."
Finally, Norran asked Leif Rehnström -- who was very involved in the Skellefteå music scene in the 90s and 2000s as a founding member of The Drowners and as a part of Kulturfrämjandet -- how Skellefteå could become a pop city again.
– We had several crucial elements in the 1990s. We had bands that led the way and inspired others, such as The Wannadies and This Perfect Day. We had places to perform live: Urkraft café was awesome for that. We had people with music industry connections, cheap rehearsal rooms, a critical mass of bands and musicians to create a “scene”, and media coverage from Norran, especially Lars Andersson. All that created something exciting that could sustain itself for a decade. I'm not sure what a modern take on that would be, but it would probably not be that different, Leif says, before concluding:
– It would be awesome if Skellefteå could become a music town again.