Kent is maybe the biggest band in Sweden, but relatively unknown outside of Scandinavia. They have played together for more than 20 yars, and have released 10 CDs. Their latest CD called Jag är inte rädd för mörkret (I Am Not Afraid Of The Dark), was released in April. Friday May 24th they played for a sold out house at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo.

Kent are also very popular in Norway, as the sold out house shows. Their songs Dom andra (The Others) and Kärleken väntar (Love is Awaiting) were both big hits in Norway and they are still played a lot on Norwegian radio, even if the CD Vapen & Ammunition was released in 2002.

All of Kent’s songs have Swedish lyrics. They tried to release two of their CDs with English lyrics, and also did an American tour, but didn’t recieve the success they had hoped for. Luckily for us in Scandinavia, they have been content with this market, and have focused on their own country, Sweden. All together Kent have won 19 Swedish Grammies, making them the most winning Swedish artist of all times. They have also sold more than 2 million CDs.

The concert started with a new song, 999, and the audience sang along as if it was a golden oldie. From there, and as long as I was there, the band with Joakim Berg in front, had the audience where they wanted them. they mixed new and old songs, and the audience participated on all of them.

All pictures are © Per Ole Hagen and may not be used without written permission.