Blind Channel in April, Priest in May

If you follow my work for Chaoszine (the easiest way to do this is to follow me on X / twitter), then you already know that the number of concerts I attended in 2024 is back to pre-pandemic levels. That's still only five concerts, which is a lot less than I'm used to and would like to attend, but the circumstances for attending concerts have become anything but easier in recent years. In Sweden, for example, a nationwide "väskförbud" ["ban of bags"] was introduced on 1st November 2023. Due to the increased risk of terror attacks in Sweden, one is no longer allowed to bring bags to bigger events. Some venues make exceptions, but even that doesn't always go smoothly. It seems that concert organisers and venues have to renegotiate the "väskförbud" with the authorities for each concert. Storing larger luggage in the paid cloakroom is usually not an option, as the authorities do not consider the cloakrooms to be suitable for this (jackets and the like are ok, though). While the security measure is understandable, in practice, it may be a stress factor that could deter some potential visitors from attending an event in the first place. I am one of those potential visitors. For example, I never attend events with a "totalt väskförbud" ["total ban of bags"], as a matter of principle, and I have also started to consider going to concerts outside of Sweden instead. If the "väskförbud" forces one to book a hotel room every time one attends a concert in Sweden, one might as well just travel to another country. 

As for the number of concerts I attended in 2024: There is still a month and a half to go before the year 2024 ends, so... Let's see. 

The first concert was Priest in Sweden's capital Stockholm in March 2024, where we celebrated our birthdays. The second concert was in April 2024, also in Stockholm: Blind Channel.

 

Photo Credit: Krista Sainio

 

It seems like a lifetime ago that Blind Channel finished in a glorious sixth place with "Dark Side" at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, and, unfortunately, it took me just as long to finally catch a show of the "Backstreet Boys of the metal scene". Even more unfortunate is the fact that Blind Channel recently announced an indefinite hiatus, so it will be a while before I can see them live on stage again. Their show at "Nalen" on 23rd April 2024 was so intense and energetic... Definitely worth seeing live more than once. You can read everything about the show in the corresponding live review and also check out the photo gallery. And here are some audiovisual impressions of Blind Channel and their tour support Rock Band From Hell...

 

 

 

 

 

The third concert took place in May 2024: Priest's pre-release party for their 4th studio album "Dark Pulse" in the Swedish city of Linköping. 

This event was special in many ways. Amongst other things, I had never been to Linköping before. You can read everything about the pre-release party on 17th May 2024 in the corresponding live review. And here is an audiovisual impression of the event at "Centralbryggeriet"...

 

 

Apart from the show, I wasn't particularly active with the camera on this trip, but for the Swifties among you, I took the following snapshot when I was back in Stockholm... 

Taylor Swift had played three completely sold-out stadium shows in Stockholm on the same weekend, which resulted in high travel and accommodation costs in and around the capital of Sweden, so Priest's choice to host their pre-release party about 200 kilometres away from Stockholm can also be seen as a favour for many attendees. 

Soon, you can read more about the fourth and fifth concert on this blog... Stay tuned!