Sweden
The South Bank Show, Sky Arts 1 /Sebastian Bergman, BBC FourMonday, 28 May 2012
Lord Bragg permitted himself a knowing chuckle as he introduced Sky Arts's resurrection of The South Bank Show from the South Bank. He was standing in front of the National Theatre, whose director Nicholas Hytner was this week's subject, though... Read more... |
CD: The Hives – Lex HivesSaturday, 26 May 2012
Don't be fooled by the top hat and tails that they've got, The Hives is still the dirtiest garage band on the block. The high velocity Swedish quintet's fifth album marks a change in sartorial terms, as anyone who spotted vocalist Howlin' Pelle... Read more... |
The Bridge: Series Finale, BBC FourSunday, 20 May 2012
It ended where it began, between Copenhagen and Malmö along the Öresund bridge. The journey back to square one took in issues of homelessness, mental health, immigration and child labour. Drug abuse, national identity, family break-up and the... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Paul and Linda McCartney, Willy DeVille, Eric PrydzSunday, 20 May 2012
Paul and Linda McCartney: Ram (Deluxe Edition)Jasper ReesThe project to reissue the big moments in Paul McCartney’s solo career continues. McCartney and Band on the Run have already had the deluxe treatment. Now it’s the turn of 1971's Ram, the one... Read more... |
She MonkeysFriday, 18 May 2012
She Monkeys comes with a “note of intent” from its Swedish director Lisa Aschan. “She Monkeys plays with rules that surround human behaviour. I want to explore society’s contradictions by allowing young women to perform brutal actions. To show these... Read more... |
Interview: 10 Questions for Spoek MathamboWednesday, 16 May 2012
Spoek Mathambo is one the year's brightest new hopes. From Johannesburg but based in Sweden, Spoek (real name Nthato Mokgata) plays with genres like few others. He makes radical, sometimes disjointed music, some of which - like his new single “Let... Read more... |
Original Wallander films released on DVDFriday, 04 May 2012The first six film adaptations of the Wallander books by Sweden’s’ Henning Manuel come to DVD on 11 June. Made before Britain embraced Scandinavian dramas The Killing, Borgen and, most recently, The Bridge they are essential parts of the Nordic Noir... Read more... |
Edda Magnason: Interview & Video ExclusiveTuesday, 01 May 2012
Goods, the second album by Sweden’s Edda Maganson was one of last year’s highlights. With a playful jazz sensibility which intertwined with a quirky pop, Magnason’s approach was unusual and refreshing. Coinciding with the release of her new EP,... Read more... |
High Court orders Pirate Bay blockMonday, 30 April 2012High Court judge Mr Justice Arnold ruled today that UK internet service providers must block access to The Pirate Bay.The infamous site - founded in Sweden and even boasting an affiliated political party there - has been a figurehead for the pro-... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Carole King, Abba, Sheena EastonSunday, 29 April 2012
Carole King: The Legendary DemosLisa-Marie Ferla For one whose appreciation of Carole King, the songwriter, has never truly been distinguishable from her appreciation of Carole King, the performer, a listen to the treasure trove that is The... Read more... |
The Bridge, BBC FourSunday, 22 April 2012
"Does he know she's a bit odd?" asks one of Saga Noren's Swedish police colleagues, on hearing that Danish copper Martin Rohde (Kim Bodnia) is working with Noren on a new murder case. Well, he's begininning to get the idea. He's seen her forbid an... Read more... |
Miss Julie, Royal Exchange, ManchesterTuesday, 17 April 2012
Seeing Miss Julie played in-the-round would, I suspect, have delighted Strindberg. In his preface to the play, he was much exercised about the setting, presuming a proscenium stage: a single set, asymmetrical scenery, no clutter, no “tiresome” exits... Read more... |
