Sweden On Stage - Hampstead Heath - London 4 of July 2009

Sweden On Stage Hampstead Heath, London 4 of July 2009

As many as two thousand people donned sun-cream and hats to take part in the Sweden on Stage festival on Hampstead Heath this Saturday, a family fun day on the theme of sustainability. As well as hearing music from internationally renowned artists Benny Andersson and John Etheridge, the crowds were entertained by newer talent Miss Li, The Swingle Sisters and Sofia Jannok. There were many eco-friendly activities for children, such as building percussion instruments out of recycled goods, willow sculpture and crazy golf around Ikea products. The European Commission was there too: Vice-President (and Swedish citizen) Margot Wallstrom came along and introduced the headlining Benny Andersson Orchestra, we had a tent where people could learn about biodiversity from our in-house scientists and the Woodland Trust, and giant carbon footprints were walking around giving people tips on reducing their own footprint.

The Concert

John Etheridge Band

Local Hampstead resident and world-reowned guitarist john Etheridge opens the programme with a glittering set from his jazz quintet

Sofia Jannok

Exciting young Swedish performer Sofia Jannok draws on the traditions of Sami singing and the Swedish yodel – yoiking – to present passionate contemporary music inspired by her beautiful homeland of Gällivare, Sweden

Miss Li

One of Sweden’s hottest Nordic pop debutants, Miss Li, has a huge following in Europe, the UK and US, with hit singles such as I’m Sorry, He’s mine, Oh Boy and Gotta Leave My Troubles Behind, earning her a Swedish Grammy award nomination for Best Female Artist in 2009.

Swingle Singers featuring Shlomo

The ground-breaking European vocal group famed for tackling all manner of classical material and switching them to an a cappella swing setting, presents a concert of extraordinary skill and infectious humour. Joined by beatboxer and vocal artist Shlomo recently returned from an environmental expedition in Greebland.

The Benny Andersson Band

Benny Andersson, musician, composer, member of ABBA and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music founded the immensely popular and successful dance orchestra, The Benny Andersson Band, in 2001 together with his friends, some of Sweden´s best known popular musicians. Their records are bestsellers and the band tours Sweden every summer playing its very own eclectic mixture of folk, pop and dance music, inspiring audiences to participate. Singers Tommy Körberg and Helen Sjöholm who are successful solo artists in their own right have toured with the band for a number of years. Some members of the band also separately form the well known Swedish folk music group Orsa Spelmän. We are pleased to welcome The Benny Andersson Band to London and Hampstead Heath.