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[[File:ABBA - Popzien 1973 5.png|thumb|[[ABBA]] is one of Sweden's most successful pop groups.]]

The '''music of Sweden''' shares roots with its neighbouring countries in [[Scandinavia]], as well as Eastern Europe, including [[polka]], [[schottische]], [[waltz]], [[Polska (dance)|polska]] and [[mazurka]]. The Swedish [[violin|fiddle]] and [[nyckelharpa]] are among the most common [[Swedish folk music|Swedish folk]] instruments. The instrumental genre is the biggest one in [[Sweden]]. In the 1960s, Swedish youth sparked a [[roots revival]] in Swedish [[folk culture]]. Many joined ''[[Spelmanslag]]'' (folk musicians' clubs) and performed on mainstream [[radio]] and [[television|TV]]. They focused on instrumental [[Polska (dance)|polska]] music, with vocals and influences from other traditional genres becoming more prominent since the 1990s. By 1970, the "[[dansband]]" culture also began. Music in Sweden is a vital part of [[Culture of Sweden|Swedish culture]], as evidenced by the national success of musical shows like [[Allsång på Skansen]] and [[Melodifestivalen]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Allsång på Skansen |url=https://skansen.se/se-och-gora/konsert-dans/allsang-pa-skansen/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=Skansen |language=sv-SE}}</ref>

Swedish music has also included more modern and influences. On a per capita basis, Sweden is one of the world's most successful exporters of music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swedish music |url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/about-sweden-non-swedish-citizens/south-africa/swedish-music/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=Sweden Abroad |language=en}}</ref> Its most famous export is [[ABBA]], one of the best-selling [[popular music]] groups of all time. Sweden has also historically dominated the Scandinavian music scene, with [[Denmark|Danes]] and [[Norwegians]] listening to music in Swedish rather than the other way around.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2023-08-25 |title=The Swedish music miracle |url=https://sweden.se/culture/arts-design/the-swedish-music-miracle |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=sweden.se |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the late 1980s and early 1990s, [[Scandinavian death metal]] bands became very popular with the international [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] community.

Music in Sweden has a long history, with musical evidence dating back to [[prehistory]].{{clarify|date=September 2025|reason=What is this prehistoric musical evidence? Improbably bold claim needs a cite}} Throughout the history of Sweden, the Swedish monarchy have been extensive patrons; notably, [[Gustav Vasa]] and [[Gustav III]] were both considered very fond of music. Gustav Vasa encouraged musicians to attend his court,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kungliga Hovkapellet {{!}} Royal Swedish Orchestra |url=http://www.hovkapellet.com/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |language=sv-SE}}</ref> and Gustav III would found the [[Royal Swedish Opera]] and [[Royal Swedish Academy of Music]]; the latter institutions are still major promoters of Swedish music today.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Royal Swedish Opera {{!}} Swedens national stage for opera & ballet |url=https://www.operan.se/en/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.operan.se |language=en-US}}</ref> Sweden's most famous classic [[troubadour]] was [[Carl Michael Bellman]], who lived from 1740 to 1795; he is famous for his extensive use of the lower class in his works. Later examples of troubadours include [[Evert Taube]], [[Cornelis Vreeswijk]], [[Fred Åkerström]], and [[Povel Ramel]]. Amongst other well-known classical Swedish composers are [[Joseph Martin Kraus]], [[Franz Berwald]] and [[Johan Helmich Roman]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-06 |title=10 Of The Greatest Swedish Composers You Should Know |url=https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/greatest-swedish-composers/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Traditional==
{{See also|Swedish folk music}}
Swedish folk songs are dominated by ballads and [[kulning]]; the latter was originally used as a [[cow]]-[[herding]] call and is traditionally sung by women. Ballad stories descend from [[skillingtryck]] printed songs from the 19th century. Modern bands like [[Folk och Rackare]], [[Hedningarna]] and [[Garmarna]] incorporated folk songs into their repertoire.

===Swedish folk instruments===
{{See also|Swedish folk music|Riksspelman}}
The [[fiddle]] is perhaps the most characteristic and original instrument of the Swedish folk tradition. It had arrived by the 17th century, and became widespread until 19th-century [[religious fundamentalism]] preached that most forms of music were sinful and ungodly. Despite the oppression, several fiddlers achieved a reputation for their virtuosity, including [[Jämtland]]'s [[Lapp-Nils]], [[Bingsjö]]'s [[Pekkos Per]] and [[Malung]]'s [[Lejsme-Per Larsson]]. None of these musicians were ever recorded; the first major fiddler to be recorded was [[Hjort Anders Olsson]]. Other early fiddlers of the 20th century included [[Nils Agenmark]] and [[Päkkos Gustaf]]. There is an extensive traditional repertoire of fiddle tunes, in forms such as the 3/4 [[polska (dance)|polska]] and the 4/4 [[gånglåt]]. One type fiddle peculiar to Sweden is the [[låtfiol]], a fiddle with two [[sympathetic string]]s, similar to the Norwegian [[Hardanger fiddle]]

The [[nyckelharpa]] (keyed fiddle) is similar to both a fiddle and a [[Hurdy gurdy|hurdy-gurdy]], and is known from Sweden since at least 1350, when it was carved on a gate in a church in [[Gotland]].<ref>Ling, Jan. 1967.  ''Nyckelharpan: Studier i ett folkligt musikinstrument''  p.45.</ref> During the 15th and 16th centuries, the nyckelharpa was known throughout [[Sweden]], [[Denmark]] and particularly in the province of [[Uppland]]. The latter has long been a stronghold for nyckelharpa music, including through the 60s{{when|date=April 2012}} revival{{clarify|date=April 2012}}, which drew on musicians like [[Byss-Calle]] from [[Älvkarleby]]. The instrument played at this time was not the same as that used today; [[August Bohlin]] and [[Eric Sahlström]] made changes to the instrument that made it a [[chromatic scale|chromatic]] and straight, more [[violin]]-like instrument. In spite of these innovations, the nyckelharpa's popularity declined until the 1960s roots revival. The nyckelharpa was a prominent part of several revival groups later in the century, especially [[Väsen]] and [[Hedningarna]].

The [[Swedish bagpipes]] ''(säckpipa)'' has been part of a long-running folk tradition, passed down orally until the death of [[Gudmunds Nils Larsson]] in 1949. Later revivalists such as [[Per Gudmundson]] added a tuning slide and revitalized the instrument.

[[Accordion]]s and [[harmonica]]s were an integral part of Swedish folk music from the beginning of the 20th century, when they contributed to the [[gammeldans]] genre. The most famous Swedish accordionist is undoubtedly [[Kalle Jularbo]], who was famous throughout the early 20th century. Later, the accordion fell out of favour within the roots revival, and did not return until the very end of the 1970s.

===Roots revival===
{{See also|Swedish folk music}}
In the 1960s, Swedish [[jazz]] musicians like [[Jan Johansson (jazz musician)|Jan Johansson]] used folk influences in their work, resulting in an early 1970s series of [[List of music festivals|music festival]]s in [[Stockholm]]. The [[Swedish Music Movement]] reflected a popular trend towards jazz- and rock-oriented folk music, featuring many performers who brought a new vitality to Swedish folk.

==Classical==
[[File:Wilhelm Stenhammar.jpg|thumb|[[Wilhelm Stenhammar]] was a Swedish classical composer and a musician.]]
The father of Swedish classical music is often claimed to be [[Johan Helmich Roman]] (1694–1758); his most famous work is the [[Drottningholm Music]], written for the wedding of [[Adolf Frederick of Sweden|Crown Prince Adolf Frederick]]. Another influential composer is [[Carl Michael Bellman]], whose patron was the king [[Gustav III of Sweden]]. Bellmans' songs are often about drinking, prostitution and everyday love troubles. He was a virtuoso improviser, and his songs, in the collections ''[[Fredmans epistlar]]'' and ''[[Fredmans sånger]]'', are widely performed in Europe in different translations. Bellman is most notable for his extensive influence on later Swedish musical traditions. [[Joseph Martin Kraus]] (1756–1792) had a life span very similar to that of [[Mozart]], who lived between 1756 and 1792. Kraus was an innovative composer, with a music filled with finesse and bold contrasts. His harmonic language was very personal, although his ability to develop motives never reached the level of the Viennese composers such as Mozart or Haydn. In the early romantic era, [[Franz Berwald]] (1796–1868) was the most prominent of the Swedish composers. His music was almost ignored during his lifetime, and he made his living as an orthopedic surgeon. He gained most of his recognition after his death, and composers such as [[Kurt Atterberg|Atterberg]] and [[Wilhelm Stenhammar]] worked hard to raise interest in Berwalds' music.

Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871–1927) was one of the later national romantic composers. He owned a reputation as one of the finest pianists of his time. He studied for some years in Berlin, where he came in contact with German high romanticism, such as Bruckner and Wagner, which influenced him a lot when he wrote his two symphonies. He also wrote six string quartets, a respectable amount of piano music and one opera, Tyrfing, treating a Norse mythological subject. Another national romantic composer who was also a conductor and violinist, was [[Hugo Alfvén]] (1872–1960). His orchestration is bright and colorful, reminiscent of that of Richard Strauss, although the harmonic language differs a lot. Some of his works, such as the Swedish rhapsodies, are program music, which means music with an underlying program that is meant to be evoked in the listener's mind. Alfvén appears as a character in the film ''[[The Passion of Marie]]''.

Important composers in the early 1900s are [[Hilding Rosenberg]], [[Kurt Atterberg]], [[Ture Rangström]]. The best-known [[opera]] singers were the 19th century [[soprano]] [[Jenny Lind]] and the 20th century [[tenor]] [[Jussi Björling]], who had great success abroad as a tenor. Also [[soprano]]s [[Christina Nilsson]], [[Birgit Nilsson]], and [[tenor]] [[Nicolai Gedda]], [[baritone]] [[Håkan Hagegård]] and the contemporary [[soprano]] [[Miah Persson]] and [[mezzo-soprano]]s [[Anne Sofie von Otter]] and [[Katarina Karnéus]] have become known in the world of opera. [[Evert Taube]], [[Povel Ramel]], [[Cornelis Vreeswijk]], [[Fred Akerstrom]] are all popular modern troubadours, considered to be classics in Swedish music. Sweden also has a very prominent choral music tradition, deriving in part from the cultural importance of Swedish folk songs and the popularity of choir schools.<ref>Durant, Colin (2003). ''Choral Conducting: philosophy and practice'', Routledge, pp. 46–47. {{ISBN|0-415-94356-6}}: "Sweden has a strong and enviable choral singing tradition. In fact, out of a population of 8.9&nbsp;million, it is estimated that between five hundred thousand and six hundred thousand people sing in choirs... All those interviewed placed great emphasis on the social identification through singing and also referred to the importance of Swedish folk song in the maintenance of the choral singing tradition and national identity."</ref>

===Choral===
Sweden has a long tradition of professional and amateur [[choir]] singing. A large percentage of the Swedes sing in amateur choirs in various styles. The choirs of Sweden are among the best in the world, with the [[Swedish Radio Choir|Radio Choir]], run by [[Sveriges Radio]] (Swedish public radio) being one of the world's top professional classical choirs. [[Lunds Studentsångare|Lunds Studentsångförening]] (LSS) and [[Orphei Drängar]] (OD) are two world-class male choirs singing both in Swedish and other languages. The choir leader [[Eric Ericson]] started his career as chief conductor of OD in the 1950s. The [[Adolf Fredrik's Music School]], in Stockholm, is commonly considered Sweden's most prestigious music school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adolf Fredriks musikklasser |url=https://adolffredriksmusikklasser.stockholm/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=adolffredriksmusikklasser.stockholm |language=sv}}</ref>

==Modern==

===Jazz===
Well-known jazz names include: [[Alice Babs]], who worked with [[Duke Ellington]] for many years starting in 1963, [[Arne Domnerus]], who has recorded albums with [[James Moody (saxophonist)|James Moody]], [[Art Farmer]] and [[Clifford Brown]], [[Bengt Hallberg]], [[Bobo Stenson]], [[Esbjörn Svensson Trio]], composer and jazz musician [[Georg Riedel (Swedish jazz musician)|Georg Riedel]], [[Georg Wadenius]], best-selling jazz musician [[Jan Johansson (jazz musician)|Jan Johansson]], the jazz duo [[Koop (band)|Koop]], [[Lars Gullin]], the multi-instrumentalist and composer [[Magnus Lindgren]], singer and actress [[Monica Zetterlund]], [[Nils Landgren (musician)|Nils Landgren]], [[Putte Wickman]], [[Rolf Ericson]], guitarist [[Ulf Wakenius]], and [[Stan Hasselgård|Åke Hasselgård]]. In addition, American jazz trumpeter [[Don Cherry (trumpeter)|Don Cherry]] was based in Sweden for much of his later life.

===Popular music===
{{See also|Popular music in Sweden}}
[[File:Max Martin.jpg|thumb|[[Max Martin]] is a popular songwriter who composed many hit songs for artists including [[Britney Spears]] and [[Backstreet Boys]].]]

Sweden is one of the world's biggest exporters of music relative to the size of its economy and population. The most famous Swedish popular music act of all time is [[ABBA]], composed of members [[Agnetha Fältskog]], [[Björn Ulvaeus]], [[Benny Andersson]] and [[Anni-Frid Lyngstad]]. After winning the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1974]], ABBA grew to become the dominant pop band of the 70s and early 80s. Their sales figures are disputed but claims have been made of 380&nbsp;million records around the world, making them the second-most successful group in history after [[The Beatles]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beatles Record Sales. Beatles Radio: The Beatles, Solos, Covers, Birthdays, News The Fab 4 and More! |url=https://www.beatlesradio.com/beatles-record-sales |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=www.beatlesradio.com}}</ref> ABBA continues to sell around one million records a year worldwide. ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus have been very successful in musical theatre, with their international hit ''[[Mamma Mia! (musical)|Mamma Mia!]]'', as well as ''[[Chess (musical)|Chess]]'', and ''[[Kristina från Duvemåla]]'', which was a major success in Sweden. The female members also pursued solo careers after the breakup. [[Agnetha Fältskog]] has scored various hits as a solo artist, with her 2013 album ''[[A (Agnetha Fältskog album)|A]]'' selling up to 1.5 million copies worldwide.

ABBA marked the beginning of an era in which Swedish pop music gained international prominence, a position it still maintains today. After the UK, Sweden is the European nation with the most number-one hits on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100: as of 2019, seven recordings by Swedish artists have reached the #1 position. The first one was a 1974 cover version of "[[Hooked on a Feeling (song)|Hooked on a Feeling]]", performed by [[Blue Swede]], followed by ABBA's "[[Dancing Queen]]" in 1977. [[Roxette]] had four number-one hits between 1989 and 1991: "[[The Look]]", "[[Listen to Your Heart (Roxette song)|Listen to Your Heart]]", "[[It Must Have Been Love]]" and "[[Joyride (Roxette song)|Joyride]]", and in 1994 [[Ace of Base]] reached the top with their hit "[[The Sign (song)|The Sign]]".

Since the 1990s, Sweden's influence on the international pop music scene has been most evident via a number of its songwriters and producers. [[Cheiron Studios]], spearheaded by [[Denniz Pop]] and his protégé [[Max Martin]], helped Ace of Base become an international success, and then went on to create some of the biggest hits of [[Britney Spears]], [[Backstreet Boys]], [[NSYNC]], [[Westlife]], and later [[Katy Perry]], [[Justin Bieber]], [[Taylor Swift]] and [[The Weeknd]], to name just a few. Denniz Pop died from cancer in 1998 and Cheiron Studios was closed two years later, but Martin remains a successful figure in the industry - only [[Paul McCartney]] has written more #1 ''Billboard'' hits. Other prominent producers who were part of Cheiron include [[Carl Falk]], [[Rami Yacoub]], [[Kristian Lundin]], [[Per Magnusson]] and [[Andreas Carlsson]]. In Cheiron's and Max Martin's wake a number of successful producers have also emerged in later years, including [[Shellback (record producer)|Shellback]], [[Bloodshy & Avant]], and [[RedOne]].

The success of Swedish popular music is also evident in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]]. The contest attracts great interest and the Swedish entrant is selected through [[Melodifestivalen]], a series of qualifiers which is Sweden's most popular television show. Since ABBA's win in 1974, {{Esccnty|Sweden}} has won the Eurovision Song Contest a further six times: in [[Eurovision Song Contest 1984|1984]] with [[Herreys]], in [[Eurovision Song Contest 1991|1991]] with [[Carola Häggkvist]], in [[Eurovision Song Contest 1999|1999]] with [[Charlotte Perrelli|Charlotte Nilsson]], in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2012|2012]] with [[Loreen]], in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2015|2015]] with [[Måns Zelmerlöw]], and most recently in [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023|2023]] again with Loreen. With these seven wins, Sweden is tied with [[Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest|Ireland]] for the most Eurovision victories.

Some of the most successful post-ABBA popular music artists from Sweden are [[Europe (band)|Europe]], [[Roxette]], [[Madleen Kane]], [[Agnes Carlsson|Agnes]], [[Ace of Base]], [[Kent (band)|Kent]], Carola Häggkvist, [[Army of Lovers]], [[Neneh Cherry|Neneh]] and [[Eagle-Eye Cherry]], [[Leila K]], [[Robyn]], [[A*Teens]], [[Nanne Grönvall]], [[The Cardigans]], [[BWO (band)|BWO]], [[Andreas Johnson]], [[Alcazar (band)|Alcazar]], and [[Petra Marklund|September]]. A number of renowned rock and pop-oriented artists have come out of the country in recent years, including [[Eskobar]], [[Bob Hund]], [[Clawfinger]], [[The Sounds]], [[The Hives]], [[Hardcore Superstar]], [[Millencolin]], [[Sahara Hotnights]], [[The Hellacopters]], [[The Ark (Swedish band)|The Ark]], [[Infinite Mass]], [[Mando Diao]], [[Looptroop Rockers]] and [[José González (singer)|José González]]. [[The Knife]] and [[Jens Lekman]] have both received significant underground acclaim in recent years. Such has been the success of music abroad that clubs specializing in Swedish music have sprung up in major cities like Berlin, Barcelona and London.{{fact|date=August 2025}} Rock band [[Kent (band)|Kent]] are also often regarded as a pop band based on the variety of sounds found on their various albums.

Some Swedish easy listening/contemporary groups and artists who are not as well known internationally, but are recognized in Sweden, include [[Gyllene Tider]], [[Peter Jöback]], [[Lill-Babs|Lill-Babs Svensson]], [[Marie Fredriksson]], [[Laleh Pourkarim|Laleh]], [[Per Gessle]], [[Ted Gärdestad]], [[Helen Sjöholm]], Charlotte Perrelli, Loreen, [[Sanna Nielsen]], [[Lena Philipsson]] and [[Patrik Isaksson (singer)|Patrik Isaksson]]. Many bubblegum dance artists emerged from Sweden, including [[Smile.dk]], made famous by the videogame ''[[Dance Dance Revolution]]''.

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[ABBA]]  – pop
*[[Ace of Base]]  – pop
*[[Anna Ternheim]]  – indie pop
*[[Agnes Carlsson]] – pop, electropop, dance
*[[Avicii]] – DJ, electronic dance music
*[[Basshunter]] – eurodance, trance, electropop
*[[Benjamin Ingrosso]] - dance-pop, electropop, R&B
*[[Bodies Without Organs|BWO]] – electro, pop, dance
*[[Carola Häggkvist]] – pop
*[[Thomas Di Leva|Di Leva]] – indie pop, rock
*[[El Perro del Mar]] – indie pop
*[[First Aid Kit (band)|First Aid Kit]] – Swedish folk duo
*[[Håkan Hellström]] – indie pop
*[[I'm from Barcelona]] - pop 
*[[iamamiwhoami]] – electropop, alternative, experimental
*[[Icona Pop]] – dance-pop, electropop
*[[Jay-Jay Johanson]] – experimental, pop
*[[Jens Lekman]] – indie pop
*[[Kleerup]] – pop
*[[The Knife]] – electropop
*[[Laleh Pourkarim|Laleh]] – folk, pop 
*[[Leila K]] – eurodance
*[[Loreen]] – pop
*[[Lasse Lindh]] – indie pop
*[[Lykke Li]] – electropop, indie pop, experimental
*[[Måns Zelmerlöw]] – pop
*[[Markus Krunegård]] – pop
*[[Molly Sandén]] – pop
*[[Miike Snow]] – indie pop
*[[Omar Rudberg]] – pop
*[[Otto Knows]] – DJ, electronic dance music
*[[The Radio Dept.]] – dream pop, shoegaze
*[[Rednex]] – pop, eurodance, country
*[[Robin Bengtsson]] – pop
*[[Robyn]] – electropop, dance-pop,
*[[Roxette]] – 	pop, pop rock, soft rock, dance-pop, power pop
*[[Sanna Nielsen]] – pop
*[[Petra Marklund|September]] – pop, dance-pop, house
*[[Shellback (record producer)|Shellback]] – music producer
*[[Shout Out Louds]] – indie pop
*[[Sophie Zelmani]] – folk, indie pop
*[[Suburban Kids with Biblical Names]] – twee pop, indie pop
*[[Swedish House Mafia]] – electronic dance music group
*[[The Fooo Conspiracy]] – pop group
*[[The Tallest Man on Earth]] – folk
*[[The Tough Alliance]] – indie pop, electropop
*[[Tove Lo]] – pop, electropop
*[[Tove Styrke]] – electropop, synthpop
*[[Veronica Maggio]] – pop
*[[Zara Larsson]] – dance-pop, R&B, electropop
}}

===Hip hop music===
{{main article|Swedish hip hop}}
While [[jazz]], [[blues]] and [[Soul music|soul]] have been around for a long time in Sweden, [[hip hop music|hip hop]] is a more recent addition. [[Swedish hip hop]] emerged in the first half of the 1980s and crossed into the mainstream a decade later.<ref name=SZ>{{cite web | url = http://www.streetzone.com/content/historia/svensk_historia/index.asp | title = Guide till Svensk Hip-Hop Historia | access-date = 2007-09-06 | language = sv | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070907071403/http://www.streetzone.com/content/historia/svensk_historia/index.asp | archive-date = 2007-09-07 }}</ref> Artists that achieved mainstream popularity in the early 1990s include [[Just D]], [[Infinite Mass]] and [[The Latin Kings (hip hop group)|The Latin Kings]]. In the late 1990s there was a second breakthrough and artists like [[Petter Askergren|Petter]], [[Ken (artist)|Ken Ring]], [[Thomas Rusiak]], [[Timbuktu (artist)|Timbuktu]] and [[Looptroop Rockers]] became well known. More recent acts worth mentioning are [[Promoe]] (of Looptroop Rockers), [[Roffe Ruff]], [[Snook (band)|Snook]], [[Ison & Fille]], [[Maskinen]], [[Million Stylez]], [[Rebstar]], [[Adam Tensta]], and [[Drain Gang]]. [[Swing music|Swing]] hip hop [[jazz]] also has made a mark with the band [[Movits!]] as a frontrunner.

===Rock===
[[File:Kent-sthlm2010.jpg|thumb|Kent performing in 2010]]
While rock is not as widespread in Sweden as [[Pop music|pop]] or [[Heavy metal music|metal]] are, there are some very interesting acts. The 1990s saw the rise of [[Kent (band)|Kent]], who became the most popular Swedish rock band in Scandinavia until they disbanded in 2016; Kent is still one of the most popular acts in Sweden and Scandinavia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://kent.band/about.html |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=kent.band}}</ref>

Some of Sweden's rock bands include:

{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*[[The Ark (Swedish band)|The Ark]]
*[[Backyard Babies]]
*[[bob hund]]
*[[Broder Daniel]]
*[[The Cardigans]]
*[[Drain STH]]
*[[Dungen]]
*[[Europe (band)|Europe]]
*[[Eldkvarn (band)|Eldkvarn]]
*[[H.E.A.T (band)|H.E.A.T]]
*[[The Hellacopters]]
*[[The Hives]]
*[[The Knockouts]]
*[[Johnossi]]
*[[Kent (band)|Kent]]
*[[Mando Diao]]
*[[Moneybrother]]
*[[Millencolin]]
*[[Peter Bjorn and John]]
*[[Sahara Hotnights]]
*[[Shout Out Louds]]
*[[The Sounds]]
*[[The Spotnicks]]
*[[The Soundtrack of Our Lives]]
*[[Takida]]
*[[Timo Räisänen]]
}}

===Punk rock===
{{Main article|Punk in Sweden}}
The most prominent and important Swedish punk rock band is [[Ebba Grön]] (1977–1982) headed by [[Joakim Thåström]]. Thåström also had two other bands called [[Imperiet]] and [[Peace, Love & Pitbulls]] but they were very pop influenced and never became anywhere near as popular as Ebba Grön. However, Thåström is still big in Sweden, now as a solo artist.

Sweden is also home to several influential [[emo]] and [[hardcore punk]] bands, such as [[Fireside (band)|Fireside]], [[Last Days Of April]], [[Satanic Surfers]], Kelly 8 and landmark post-hardcore band [[Refused]]. More aggressive early hardcore punk bands include [[Asta Kask]], [[Charta 77 (band)|Charta 77]], [[Mob 47]], [[Anti Cimex]], Totalitär, [[Homy Hogs]], T.S.T, Headcleaners, and The Shitlickers. Some later influential bands of the aggressive sort are for example [[Disfear]], [[Driller Killer (band)|Driller Killer]], [[Wolfbrigade]], Loudpipes, Warvictims, [[Bombshell Rocks]], and [[Raised Fist]].

===Heavy metal===
[[File:C. Johnsson and L. Lewis.jpg|thumb|[[Therion (band)|Therion]] is considered one of the pioneers of [[symphonic metal]].]]
{{See also|Swedish death metal}}
Sweden (along with Scandinavia at large) is known for its large number of [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands, so much so that this phenomenon has attracted scholarly analysis.<ref name="7 Reasons It Feels Like Every Metal Band Is From Scandinavia">{{Cite web |last=Salvia |first=Vanessa |date=October 8, 2015 |title=7 Reasons It Feels Like Every Metal Band Is From Scandinavia |url=http://www.invisibleoranges.com/7-reasons-scandinavia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229163743/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/7-reasons-scandinavia/ |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |access-date=August 4, 2018 |website=[[Invisible Oranges]]}}</ref> Sweden is second only to neighboring Finland in heavy metal bands per capita.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Swedish musicians were instrumental in the creation of [[melodic death metal]], also known as Gothenburg metal, particularly the bands [[Arch Enemy]], [[In Flames]], [[At the Gates]], and [[Dark Tranquility]]. These bands later developed their style further, adding new influences and inspiring other acts like the American [[melodic metalcore]] bands. [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]] is credited for helping create [[black metal]], a style that became popular in Norway, as well as pioneering [[Viking metal]], and deceased black metal icon [[Per Yngve Ohlin]] was from Sweden. [[Dissection (band)|Dissection]] is also noted for their large influence on Swedish black metal, in particular [[melodic black metal]]. The country is also well known for [[death metal]], [[progressive metal|progressive]], [[doom metal|doom]] and [[power metal]] bands. [[Stockholm]] band [[Candlemass (band)|Candlemass]] is one of the first and most influential [[doom metal]] bands, starting in 1984.
[[Yngwie J. Malmsteen]] is one of the fathers of [[neo-classical metal]]. [[Meshuggah]] is an [[avant-garde metal]] band which developed [[djent]] from the late 80s and 90s. [[Opeth]] is regarded as one of the most influential and innovative metal bands, crossing melodic death metal and [[progressive rock]] between the 90s and the 2000s. [[Passenger (Swedish band)|Passenger]] is considered the [[swan song]] of the [[nu metal]] scene in the early 2000s.
Other famous bands include [[Pain of Salvation]], [[Entombed (band)|Entombed]], [[Dismember (band)|Dismember]], [[Hypocrisy (band)|Hypocrisy]], [[Amon Amarth]], [[Amaranthe]], [[Soilwork]], [[Freak Kitchen]], [[Sabaton (band)|Sabaton]] and more.

Some of the prominent metal acts are:
{{columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*[[Ablaze My Sorrow]]
*[[Abruptum]]
*[[Aeon (band)|Aeon]]
*[[Amaranthe]]
*[[Amon Amarth]]
*[[Anata (band)|Anata]]
*[[Angtoria]]
*[[Arch Enemy]]
*[[Arckanum]]
*[[At the Gates]]
*[[Avatar (band)|Avatar]]
*[[Bathory (band)|Bathory]]
*[[Beseech]]
*[[Bloodbath]]
*[[Bloodbound]]
*[[Brothers of Metal]]
*[[Candlemass (band)|Candlemass]]
*[[Carnage (band)|Carnage]]
*[[Carnal Forge]]
*[[Cemetary (band)|Cemetary]]
*[[Count Raven]]
*[[Crashdïet]]
*[[The Crown (band)|The Crown]]
*[[Crucified Barbara]]
*[[Cult of Luna]]
*[[Dan Swanö]]
*[[Dark Funeral]]
*[[Dark Tranquillity]]
*[[Darkane]]
*[[Deathstars]]
*[[Deranged (band)|Deranged]]
*[[Desultory]]
*[[Diabolique (band)|Diabolique]]
*[[Dismember (band)|Dismember]]
*[[Dissection (band)|Dissection]]
*[[Draconian (band)|Draconian]]
*[[Dream Evil]]
*[[The Duskfall]]
*[[Edge of Sanity]]
*[[Enforcer (band)|Enforcer]]
*[[Entombed (band)|Entombed]]
*[[Europe (band)|Europe]]
*[[Evergrey]]
*[[Falconer (band)|Falconer]]
*[[Gates of Ishtar]]
*[[Ghost (Swedish band)|Ghost]]
*[[Grave (band)|Grave]]
*[[Grotesque (band)|Grotesque]]
*[[HammerFall]]
*[[Hardcore Superstar]]
*[[The Haunted (Swedish band)|The Haunted]]
*[[Hypocrisy (band)|Hypocrisy]]
*[[In Flames]]
*[[In Mourning (band)|In Mourning]]
*[[In Solitude]]
*[[Insision]]
*[[Kaamos (Swedish band)|Kaamos]]
*[[Katatonia]]
*[[King of Asgard]]
*[[Lake of Tears]]
*[[Liers in Wait]]
*[[Lifelover]]
*[[Lord Belial]]
*[[Yngwie Malmsteen]]
*[[Månegarm]]
*[[Marduk (band)|Marduk]]
*[[Meshuggah]]
*[[Morgana Lefay]]
*[[Naglfar (band)|Naglfar]]
*[[Nasum]]
*[[Necrophobic]]
*[[Netherbird]]
*[[Nifelheim]]
*[[Nightingale (band)|Nightingale]]
*[[Nocturnal Rites]]
*[[October Tide]]
*[[One Man Army and the Undead Quartet]]
*[[Opeth]]
*[[Ophthalamia]]
*[[Pain (musical project)|PAIN]]
*[[Pain of Salvation]]
*[[The Project Hate MCMXCIX]]
*[[Raubtier]]
*[[Sabaton (band)|Sabaton]]
*[[Sacramentum (band)|Sacramentum]]
*[[Satanic Slaughter]]
*[[Scar Symmetry]]
*[[Seventh Wonder]]
*[[Shining (Swedish band)|Shining]]
*[[Silencer (band)|Silencer]]
*[[Soilwork]]
*[[Sonic Syndicate]]
*[[Spawn of Possession]]
*[[Ed Repka|Steelwing]]
*[[Therion (band)|Therion]]
*[[Thyrfing]]
*[[Tiamat (band)|Tiamat]]
*[[Unanimated]]
*[[Unleashed (band)|Unleashed]]
*[[Valkyrja]]
*[[Vildhjarta]]
*[[Vintersorg]]
*[[Visceral Bleeding]]
*[[Vomitory (band)|Vomitory]]
*[[Watain]]
*[[Witchery]]
*[[Wolf (band)|Wolf]]
*[[Zonaria]]
}}

Successful progressive/psychedelic acts are for example [[Bo Hansson]], [[Dungen]], [[Anekdoten]], [[Morte Macabre]], [[Opeth]] and [[Paatos]]. [[Finland]] and neighboring [[Norway]] are also crucial centers of controversial rock music genres, including [[black metal]], [[death metal]], and techno-rock movements since the 1980s and 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}}

===Progressive and jazz-rock music===
Sweden is also known in some circles for its [[progressive rock|progressive]] and [[jazz-rock]] musicians, particularly for virtuoso-led acts including [[Andromeda (Swedish band)|Andromeda]], [[Anekdoten]], [[Änglagård]], [[Arbete och Fritid]], [[Björn J:son Lindh]], [[Bo Kaspers Orkester]], [[Janne Schaffer]], [[Kaipa]], [[Landberk]], [[Samla Mammas Manna]], [[Opeth]], [[The Flower Kings]], and [[Beardfish (band)|Beardfish]]. One of the most unusual progressive music artists in Sweden has been avant-garde singer [[iamamiwhoami]].

====Progg====
{{main article|Progg}}
During the 1970s, the progg (not to be confused with progressive rock) movement gained popularity. Progg, originally an abbreviation of "progressiv musik" ("progressive music"), was an umbrella term for much of the alternative music of this era. Some of those artists were progressive in a musical sense, such as [[Bo Hansson]], [[Samla Mammas Manna]] and [[Träd, Gräs och Stenar]]. Others were progressive mainly in a political (usually left-wing) and lyrical sense, such as [[Nationalteatern]], [[Blå Tåget]] and [[Hoola Bandoola Band]].

===Reggae===
Reggae is also a major part of modern Swedish music. An early pioneer of Swedish reggae was [[Peps Persson]], who [[Bob Marley]] once said was the only white man with reggae in his blood.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Since then, more has happened. The Uppsala group [[Labyrint (band)|Labyrint]] is widely spread with their musical mix of rap and reggae called ''förortsreggae''. Swedish music producers [[Soundism]] are behind Swedish reggae artists [[Kapten Röd]], [[Papa Dee]], [[Million Stylez]], and Chilly & Leafy (and more), also records with international artist such as Junior Ketlly, [[Lady Saw]], and [[Buju Banton]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soundism.com | title = Soundism Discography| access-date= 2009-09-28}}</ref>

===Electronic music===
[[File:Avicii 2014 001 (cropped).png|thumb|Tracks from DJ and producer [[Avicii]] reached high positions on worldwide music charts.]] 
Electronic music in Sweden has been heavily influenced by [[German electronic music]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Types Of Swedish Music|url=https://www.sweden.org.za/types-of-swedish-music.html|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.sweden.org.za}}</ref> The EDM act [[Swedish House Mafia]], consists of [[Steve Angello]], [[Sebastian Ingrosso]] and [[Axwell]], has topped house music charts and DJ top 10s around the world. In 2011, [[Avicii]] (real name Tim Bergling) was voted the sixth best DJ in the world in the Top 100 DJ poll. His music remained popular until his death by suicide in 2018. Other similar artists of note are [[John Dahlbäck]], [[Manse (DJ)|Manse]], [[Eric Prydz]], [[Nause (band)|Nause]], [[Albin Myers]], the duo [[Dada Life]], [[Galantis]], [[Adrian Lux]], [[Basshunter]], [[Otto Knows]], [[Alesso]], [[Rebecca & Fiona]], [[Cazzette]], Jakob Liedholm, Sebjak, [[AronChupa]], [[Icona Pop]], Will & Dan, [[Brohug]] and [[Tjernberg]].

Singer and producer [[Robyn]] has long been one of Sweden's most prominent electropop acts. In the [[Synthpop|synth world]], the band [[S.P.O.C.K]] has been active since the late 1980s. Secretive duo [[The Knife]] was highly rated among critics, and [[Sally Shapiro]], is the [[pseudonym]] of producer [[Johan Agebjörn]] and a Swedish singer.

In the mid to late 2000s [[Swedish language|Swedish-language]] Eurodance & Eurotrance dance music became internationally popular. In 2006, [[Basshunter]] became popular with his [[eurotrance]] dance songs, based on long-standing themes set in mid to late 2000s computer-centric culture. [[Little Dragon]] and [[Alcazar (group)|Alcazar]] are also Swedish.

There are many techno producers from Sweden, though they are often better known internationally than within Sweden. There is even a special Swedish subgenre of techno, the best-known producer within this genre being [[Adam Beyer]], head of the [[Drumcode]] label with notable artists such as [[Cari Lekebusch]], Joel Mull, and Henrik B.

In addition, Sweden is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to [[chiptune]]s, or [[bitpop]]. Chip music is music made to run on old game consoles and specialized PCs, like the [[Amiga]], [[Commodore 64]], or [[Game Boy]]; Other notable acts include [[Slagsmålsklubben]], Crazy Q, [[Coma]], Covox, [[Goto80]], Maktone, Random, [[Wintergatan]], Zabutom, [[The Knife]], [[Zeigeist]] and [[Machinae Supremacy]]. Elektronmusikstudion (EMS), formerly known as Electroacoustic Music in Sweden, is the Swedish national centre for electronic music and [[sound art]]. The research organisation started in 1964 and is based in Stockholm.

==See also==
*[[List of Swedes in music]]
*[[Royal Swedish Academy of Music]]
*[[Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra]]
*[[Swedish Federation of Young Musicians]]
*[[Culture of Sweden]]
*[[Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Music of Sweden}}
*[http://www.sweden.se/music Sweden.se/music — Sweden's official music room] – A music player with contemporary Swedish music

{{Swedish folk music}}
{{Sweden topics}}
{{Nordic music}}
{{Music of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Music Of Sweden}}
[[Category:Music of Sweden| ]]