Berwaldhallen concert on SR P4 / Melodifestivalen running order / Poll closed

Berwaldhallen on P4

If you missed the Berwaldhallen concert which was broadcast on Swedish Radio P4 last week, then it is available to listen again at P4's website - http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/P4/kanalarkiv.asp?ProgramId=2111&NrOfDaysInArchive=30 : it should be available for the next three weeks or so.

I listened to the show last Wednesday night, and of course it was excellent, but I was disappointed that the hour-long transmission had been edited to feature only six Salem songs (It's Only You Part II, Cold Shower, Brooklyn Sun, Dream Girl, Roxy and the instrumental Manfreds Dans) along with the performances by the orchestra and Jojje Wadenius.

If any of you were at any of the Berwaldhallen shows, can you tell me which songs were edited out of the radio show? I know that Salem performed "Good Song" but which other songs were not broadcast?

The edited highlights which were broadcast was excellent. Salem just gets better and better, and I just love his musical collaboration with the orchestra. The changes made to "Cold Shower" really suited the song....and as for the piano-version of "Brooklyn Sun", well this was just utterly breathtaking, and even better than the original arrangement for guitar. I hope that if this song is on the third album, that he records it in this new arrangement. And "Manfreds Dans" was as beautiful as everyone had described it - and wasn't it such an emotional moment to hear Salem playing violin in a concert setting.

Melodifestivalen Running Order

The running order for the 2010 Melodifestivalen has now been announced. Salem has a very good draw position in the first semi-final in Örnsköldsvik on 6th February, when he will sing "Keep On Walking": he will be the last of the eight acts on stage that week. (If you are a regular follower of Melodifestivalen/Eurovision then you will know that if an act is drawn near the end of the running order, then they usually have a better chance of qualifying/winning).

Melodifestivalen Poll

Thanks to all of you who voted in my recent poll, which is now closed. I wanted to know if you agreed or disagreed with Salem participating in Melodifestivalen.

Results: 85% of you agree with Salem doing MF, whilst 15% of you disagree with his decision to participate.

Off Beat are back at Berns on 26th December

Berns Salonger in Stockholm is hosting the "Dance All Night" event on 26th December and Off Beat (pictured above) will be appearing live at Stora Salongen along with Daniel Boyacioglu and DJ Cut Killer. More information at http://www.berns.se/extra/news/?id=1128&template=/dmfl_templates/concert_subpage.html&lang=se

Berwaldhallen

Dan Backman in Svenska Dagbladet has written a very positive review of one of Salem's Berwaldhallen concerts. The review can be found at http://www.svd.se/kulturnoje/nyheter/charmig-duett-far-staende-ovation_3927125.svd

If you were at any of the concerts at Berwaldhallen I'd like to know what you thought of the shows. If you were there last year and this year, how did the concerts compare? Were there any new songs played this year? What did you think of "Manfreds Dans" performed by Salem and Sami? What was your favourite song in the set? Remember to leave your comments, views and set lists here!

It will soon be time for Berwaldhallen once again!

Salem will be reunited with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, once again under the direction of Hans Ek, for three concerts this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm. Jojje Wadenius will be the special guest artist this time round.

If you are going, I hope you all enjoy the show and remember to leave your comments all about it on Planet Salem! If you haven't got your tickets yet, these are selling fast but I think there are still some available, so get them as soon as you can.

Now here's the really good news - the concert will be broadcast on 6 January on Sveriges Radio P4, between 15:03 and 16:00 Swedish time. (Unfortunately I won't be able to hear it live as I'll be back at work, but it should be available on listen again).

Some pictures of Salem from last night's Gothenburg show...

If you go to http://www.rockfoto.nu/artists/Salem%20Al%20Fakir/gig/20091128/12099/photos you'll find some nice photos of Salem and the band from last night's concert at the Stadsteatern Foajebar.

Salem's Gothenburg show last night - reviews wanted

Did any of you go to see Salem play in Gothenburg last night? I noticed that he played not one but two shows - after Stadsteatern he then went on to Nefertiti to play a show with the Off Beat Band!

Anyway I haven't found any reviews on the internet yet so if you were at any of the shows I would love to read your comments.

Salem's next live shows will of course be at Berwaldhallen next month - are any of you going? (Sadly I won't be able to make it over to Sweden, so I would appreciate all your comments and reviews following his orchestra concerts).

Salem in Lund tonight / Uppsala tomorrow

If you live in or around Lund or Uppsala, then you can check out Salem playing live this weekend. Tonight he will be at Mejeriet in Lund with his band, and he moves on to Katalin, Uppsala tomorrow.

If you are going to any of the shows, remember to post your thoughts, comments and set lists here!

Nyköping review in Södermanlands Nyheter

Olle Söderström has written a warm and positive review about Salem's show at Culturum in Nyköping, in Södermanlands Nyheter - go to http://www.sn.se/kulturnoje/2.737/1.525096

I want to share a few things from the translation of the review as the reviewer makes some very relevant points.

The reviewer says that Salem is "... still a joy machine" and describes the newly-bespectacled Salem as "a young musical clone of Elvis Costello" going on to expand on this comparison.

He goes on to say that "Salem must be heard live. For his greatness lies not in a great singing voice, neither relies on some amazing songs, but on stage he fills them with so much musical magic, mischief, shifting harmonies and rhythmic drama that grows several feet". I'd also like to highlight the reviewer's closing words: "...he is charming, and charming you rarely get enough of. Particularly if they are a musical prodigy who distributes the entire pharmacy of antidepressant pop pills".

I think we can all agree with that description!

Salem at Vara Konserthus tomorrow / Nyköping Culturum on Thursday

Salem - I hope you had a wonderful birthday! However it's now time to get back 'on the road' and there are two more live dates coming up this week.

If you live in or around the Vara area don't forget that Salem will be playing the Vara Konserthus tomorrow night. More information at http://www.varakonserthus.se/lankar/kalendarium.4.6b1c356118bbebc68780001729.html

Meanwhile if you live in Nyköping you will finally get the chance to see Salem on Thursday, when he will be appearing at the Culturum Kulturhuset. This show was originally scheduled to take place back in April but had to be cancelled due to a double-booking at the venue, if I remember rightly. More information at http://www.nykoping.se/sv/Kultur__Fritid/Culturum_-kulturhuset/

(I didn't realise that Skavsta airport was so close to Nyköping, as I could have booked a flight from my local airport and gone over to see Salem play live again!)

Salem playing live in Kristianstad tomorrow / Botkyrka on Saturday

Tomorrow night (Friday 23rd October) Salem will be back on stage again with the first of his autumn series of concerts. Salem and the band will be playing Yllan in Kristianstad - if you are going to the show, remember to leave your comments here and tell us what you thought about it.

Salem will also be playing at the opening of Botkyrka Kulturskola on Saturday 24th October. According to the official programme at http://www.botkyrka.se/botkyrkakulturskola/blandat/49341.html, Salem and the band will be on stage at 14:30 Swedish time.

Fancy a Stockholm Saturday brunch?

If you are having brunch at the extremely stylish Story Hotel on Riddargatan on a Saturday during this autumn, then you will be entertained by the ‘house band’ - The Sound of Story.

If the name doesn’t mean anything, then the line-up definitely will: Salem Al Fakir, Adam Hagstrand, Jakob Birgersson & Nils Wallfält. According to this blog article, the music will be tailored to the hotel and will also feature some of the band’s favourite songs.

On the weeks that the band aren’t playing, there will be other guest artists and Djs featured. Brunch will be served between 11.00 - 17.00. Bon appetit!

If you were there yesterday or will be at a future brunch, then remember to tell us about it!

Salem's coming back to Gothenburg in November!!

Good news for everyone in the wonderful west coast city of Gothenburg!! Salem will be playing at Foajén at the Stadsteater on Saturday 28th November. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 8th September, more information at Ticnet - http://www.ticnet.se/html/evinfo.htmI?CNTX=16614157&l=SE&C= and also the Stadsteater website at http://www.stadsteatern.goteborg.se/Pa-scen/Konserter/Hosten-2009/Salem-al-Fakir/

Salem in Kristianstad on 23rd October

Salem has added yet another show to his October/November tour schedule. He will be playing the Yllan centre in Kristianstad on Friday 23rd October. More information at http://www.yllan.nu/main/default.asp?id=35&langid=1&area=nyheter.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Salem has played in Kristianstad before?

Salem on P3 Live Session next Wednesday

Salem and Jennie Abrahamsson will be the stars of Swedish Radio P3's Live Session next Wednesday, 9th September which will be broadcast at 21:30 Swedish time. More info at http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?programID=2663&artikel=3067959

Solsbury Hill: Salem's tribute to Peter Gabriel at today's Polar Music Prize

I've just been to TV4's website and watched today's Polar Music Prize ceremony.

Salem opened the show with "Solsbury Hill" and it was just perfect. I loved that little punching-the-air movement he did too!

Salem sat at his grand piano and looked as if he enjoyed every moment: I hope guest of honour Peter Gabriel also enjoyed it.

You can watch the show at http://nyhetskanalen.se/1.1171837/2009/08/31/tv_se_polarprisets_prisceremoni_igen, Salem is on at the beginning, I also liked the use of "It's True" as the backing music when the previous years' prizewinners were shown.

Well done Salem....who knows, maybe someday in the future it will be your turn to be presented with this very important award :)))

EDIT 04.09.09: I've watched this a few times since Monday and I hope TV4 keep it on their website for a while and don't delete it - it just gets better every time I hear it. I've done some screencaps and I'll post these this on here this weekend.

Salem on the Polar Music Prize tomorrow

Salem will be one of the guest stars on this year's Polar Music Prize award ceremony, which takes place tomorrow in Stockholm. This year's prize recipients are José Antonio Abreu and Peter Gabriel. Other artists appearing on tomorrow's show are Maia Hirasawa, Uno Svenningsson, Martin Stenmarck, Moto Boy, Andreas Johnson and Jojje Wadenius. If you're in Sweden you can watch the ceremony live on TV4 tomorrow between 16.45 and 17.55 - otherwise I hope it will be on TV4 Play to watch later.

H3FK in Karlskrona tonight

If you are in or around Karlskrona tonight and fancy hearing some world jazz, then you might like to know that H3FK are playing the Jazzbridge festival tonight. Info at www.jazzbridge.se and www.myspace.com/H3FK

Salem in Lund in November

Salem and his band will be doing a show at Mejeriet, Lund on Friday 6th November as part of his short autumn tour. More information at http://www.kulturmejeriet.se/, and tickets will be available from Ticnet as usual.

Salem in Malmö

Anders Jaderup has written a very positive review of Salem's concert with the Malmö Operaorkester in Sydsvenskan. Find it at http://sydsvenskan.se/kultur-och-nojen/musik/konsertrecension/article538150/Ljudmassigt-later-det-fortraffligt.html

Salem plays Mariefred tonight / Malmöfestivalen on Monday

Salem will be on stage at 21:00 at the Pumpstockfestivalen taking place at Skottvångs Grufva in Mariefred tonight.

Then something very big is happening on Monday night in Malmö, as Salem will be getting together with the Malmö Operaorkester to perform at Malmöfestivalen. The show takes place at Stora Scenen on Stortorget between 21:00 and 22:30.

This will be Salem's second time at Malmöfestivalen (he appeared there in 2007) but this will be a very special show indeed, as a musical collaboration between Salem and the orchestra is not to be missed.

If you are going to either Mariefred or Malmö, remember to post your comments here!