Kent (band)

Kent
Kent performing in Sundsvall in 2012. From left to right: Sami Sirviö, Joakim Berg, Markus Mustonen and Martin Sköld
Background information
OriginEskilstuna, Sweden
Genres
Years active
  • 1990–2016
  • 2025
Labels
Past members
Websitekent.nu

Kent was a Swedish alternative rock band formed in Eskilstuna in 1990.[1] With members Joakim Berg, Martin Sköld, Sami Sirviö and Markus Mustonen, the band had numerous radio hits throughout Sweden and Scandinavia and consecutive number-one studio albums on the Sweden top list (Sverigetopplistan) beginning with the release of Verkligen (1996) and led by the single "Kräm (så nära får ingen gå)".[2] With origins rooted in distorted rock, they found mainstream success through their alternative rock albums of the mid-1990s, 2000s and 2010s, the latter decades during which they adopted elements of synthpop.

With eleven number-one albums,[3] five number-one singles,[4] 22 Swedish Grammy Awards,[5] and over three million record sales, Kent is considered the most popular rock/pop group within Sweden and throughout Scandinavia. Vapen & ammunition (2002) topped the Swedish charts for eight weeks.[6] Kent is often compared to bands like U2 and Coldplay.[7][8]

As Kent's songs are primarily performed in Swedish, they are unfamiliar to most English-speaking audiences.[9] Kent briefly attempted an international career with English versions of the albums Isola (1997) and Hagnesta Hill (1999) and an accompanying American tour for the former, but stopped after finding less success than they had in Scandinavia. Joakim Berg, the lead singer and lyricist, says "there are two kinds of lyrics I write. One kind is based in places and the other is based in feelings. You move between those two whether you want to or not."[10]

The band announced on 16 March 2016 that they would release their final album, titled Då som nu för alltid, after 26 years of performing.[11] The album was released on 20 May 2016.[12] The band's announcement noted that the dissolution of the band is voluntary and is despite their continued success. In September, Kent began a months-long farewell tour that covered Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The last concert was held at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm on 17 December 2016.[13]

On 18 October 2024, Kent announced that they will play three concerts in Stockholm in March 2025. Due to the fact that the tickets were quickly sold out, three additional concerts were announced.

  1. ^ "Biografi". Kent.nu - Officiell hemsida för Sveriges största rockband - Kent (in Swedish). 6 July 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  2. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ Grammisvinnare genom åren, Grammis.se
  6. ^ "Kent – Vapen & ammunition". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  7. ^ Nordens U2 Dagbladet
  8. ^ Kent går Coldplay Fædrelandsvennen
  9. ^ Johansson, Ola (2013). "Kent's Sweden, or what a rock band can tell us about a nation". Fennia. 191 (1): 40–57. doi:10.11143/7337. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Kent Have Always Wanted to Be Big". Kentfans.com. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  11. ^ "kent går i graven – startar sista färden med Egoist". Kent.nu. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Då Som Nu För Alltid – 20 maj". Kent.nu. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  13. ^ Så bra var Kents sista spelning någonsin, Expressen.se