Piteå: interviews and review

Salem played the Piteå Dansar och Ler festival on Friday night.

Found a couple of new interviews with Salem: one at Norrbottens-Kuriren: http://www.kuriren.nu/noje/artikel.aspx?articleid=5478318 - in which, among other things, Salem states that he likes to mix big and small gigs but prefers playing smaller gigs; he comments again about dealing with the extra attention and trying to keep his public life separate from his private life, whilst acknowledging that this period of attention may not last and could all be over by next year. In this interview he also highlights that if his lyrics become too personal, then it can be difficult to perform the songs live without being emotionally affected. (There is one particular song, which Salem refers to but does not wish to mention in the interview).

The other interview, at PT Noje: http://www.ptnoje.se/Article.aspx?a=5504498 mentions performing for Crown Princess Victoria, his delight at his second place and not winning Melodifestivalen, and how we'll have to wait a while for any new material as he's going to take a (very well-deserved) rest following his big summer tour.

As for reviews, I've just found this at Norrbottens-Kuriren: http://www.kuriren.nu/nyheter/artikel.aspx?articleid=5479194 - it's a reasonably positive review ("...I believe in him because he convinces me with his joy") but the reviewer also suggested that there was a 20 minute period in the set which wasn't so good (?) before the euphoria was revived again towards the end of the concert.

Swedish charts update

Or as I'm calling it this week... "the Allsång effect" :))

"Ignore This" has climbed back up the Sverige Topplistan album chart to no. 15, whilst "4 O'Clock" is a re-entry at no. 53 and "Keep On Walking" is a re-entry at no. 56 in the singles chart.

It definitely proves the promotional power of a TV appearance! Hope we see Salem on TV again soon.

Message to all new (and old) readers!

I realise that a lot of the news and information which I publish on this blog is not exclusive to Planet Salem, but you will understand that I put a lot of time, effort and hard work into searching all over the internet for information about Salem - which can be (and is) a very time-consuming task. (Especially as I'm not Swedish and don't live in Sweden).

Therefore, as the readership of this blog is growing everyday, I thought it would be a very good time to remind everyone that if you initially find any articles/news items at Planet Salem and you then republish them on any other websites, please credit this blog as your source of information and publish a link to Planet Salem.

The same information applies to any of my pictures and screencaps which are published here.

Thank you for your assistance!
Laura.

Jönköping in January 2011....

Found this! According to the Jönköpings Konserthus official website, Salem will be appearing there with the Jönköpings Sinfonietta next January. Tickets don't appear to be on sale yet though, but once I get more information I'll let you all know.

Check out the evenemangskalender for 5th and 6th January 2011....
http://www.programbolaget.se/evenemangskalender.html
also this http://www.programbolaget.se/evenemangskalender.html?news=7583

I previously posted about another 2011 show in Norrköping but in case you missed it: http://planetsalem.blogspot.com/2010/06/uppsala-and-norrkoping.html

Maybe more shows to come? Does anyone have any more info??

Mellerud on Saturday

It's a bit of a quiet time on the news front, so I thought I'd just remind you that Salem will be playing the KAOS festival in Mellerud this coming Saturday. He will be on the main stage between 19:15 and 20:15.

More information about the festival and all the acts appearing there, at www.kulturkaos.se.

The numbers are going up...

Today the total of Salem fans on Facebook reached 43,000.....it's only a matter of time till it reaches the magic 50,000!

I still don't know how many of the Facebook-fans are aware of the existence of Planet Salem, so I'd really appreciate it if someone could maybe give this blog another mention on the Facebook wall (Eva....I know you previously did this, but if you or someone else could do this again, especially as there are more and more fans there!).

The reason is that I would like this blog to reach as wide an audience as possible so that we can all keep spreading the word about Salem's brilliant music, and keep building the international fanbase. Planet Salem already has a very dedicated readership and I just want it to grow and grow.

Thanks for all your help!

"I'm So Happy": Allsång på Skansen 20.07.10

Enjoy!!

Some Finland stuff...

A snippet from Ålandstidningen:

http://www.tidningen.aland.net/article.con?id=23186&iPage=1

...and something from Nya Åland: http://www.nyan.ax/nyheter/?news_id=54978 (they have promised a full review and interview with Salem in Monday's newspaper - I wonder how much of it they'll put on the internet?)

As usual, YouTube is a great place to find all-new Salem video footage and on this occasion there is an interview recorded (by Dagens Tidning), with Salem around his gig in Jakobstad (or Pietarsaari, its Finnish name!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qmto4zg4gA Here are some screencaps from the interview:

By the way, if you watch the interview you'll see that Salem is wearing the Damien Adore T-shirt http://www.merchworld.se/Product.aspx?pid=835 which I will really need to get my hands on if/whenever I get back over to Sweden :)))

And one more thing...if you watch the interview I think you will all agree that Salem looks extremt snygg just nu.... Looks and musical talent: he has it all.

Salem's summer tour now takes a break for a few days: next stop Piteå Dansar och Ler next Friday: http://www.pdol.se/program/stora-scenen/salem-al-fakir/ - Salem will be on Stora Scenen in the northern Swedish city next Friday night at 20:45.

Hope you have a good break over the next few days Salem....you deserve it!!

Rockoff Festival, Mariehamn tonight

Just a reminder that if you are in or around Mariehamn, Åland tonight you can catch Salem and the band at the Rockoff Festival: they'll be on stage at 22:00. More info at http://www.rockoff.nu/programme.con?date=2010-07-23

Lots of great Swedish acts appearing at the festival over the next week. More info at http://www.aland.com/en/events/rockoff_festival_2010/997

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" is at no. 29 in this week's Sverige Topplistan album chart.

4 O'Clock (Skansen, 20th July 2010)

Tomorrow: Jakobstad, Finland!

Attention Salem fans in Finland! Salem will be playing the After Eight Club in Jakobstad on Thursday 22 July. Get along there tomorrow night and discover Sweden's finest musical export. More info at http://www.aftereight.fi/

No more Melodifestivalen for Salem

In this article in Aftonbladet today, http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/article7499129.ab Salem said that he was very satisfied with his second place in this year's Melodifestivalen, which he described as "absolutely fantastic" and had won many new fans as a result.

However, Salem confirmed that he will not be participating again in the contest. This does not come as a surprise, as in various interviews before and after the contest, Salem made it very clear that he had participated as an 'experiment' (which has been a very successful experiment!) and was not a traditional 'schlager' artist. As a Salem fan I can only agree with his decision - he is an artist who does everything on his own terms and Melodifestivalen was no different. Melodifestivalen was a wonderful and unexpected surprise, and Salem is full of surprises! The best thing about Salem is that we genuinely don't know what he is going to do next...

Hallands Nyheter review of Salem in Falkenberg

There's a very good review (by Magnus Johansson) of Salem's Sunday night gig in Falkenberg at http://hn.se/nojekultur/musik/1.898206-salem-al-fakir-sprider-gladje-fran-scenen and some very nice pictures there too.

I particularly liked the reviewer's comparison/description of Salem as being like "the young school teacher who became the most popular because of his charm and humour rather than his authority".

Skansen screencaps!!

I loved SVT's close-up shots of Salem on "Keep On Walking", when the wind was blowing through his hair and the way the light was shining behind him...hope these pictures are ok, although it was harder to take pictures during "4 O'Clock" as the great man just can't keep still for a second! (but then when we listen to it, we can't keep still either).

Keep On Walking (Skansen, 20th July 2010)

Varberg tomorrow!

After his triumph at Skansen tonight, Salem and the band are back on the road tomorrow for the next stop on the summer tour - Societen in Varberg. As you can see from the promo poster the show begins at 23:00 tomorrow. Another late night, but well worth staying up for :)

If you are going...enjoy the show!

Salem on Allsång = fabulous.

I've just finished watching tonight's "Allsång på Skansen" and the extra Webballsången.

You know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway...

SALEM WAS BRILLIANT!

"4 O'Clock" to start the show, "Keep On Walking" to end the show (with Salem jumping off his piano stool!), and "I'm So Happy" in the extra-show. He certainly knows how to make a crowd happy too.

Salem's band were also great tonight - and I really enjoyed that guitar solo from Adam on "I'm So Happy".

I loved that sign which someone in the crowd had held up - "Salem Al Fakir - it's only you we think about". So true :D

And Oskar Linnros was great too :))

If you haven't seen this week's show, or you just want to watch it over and over again like I do, go to http://svtplay.se/t/102897/allsang_pa_skansen - Salem appears 5 minutes into the show ("4 O'Clock") and at 54 minutes ("Keep On Walking").

EDIT 21.07.10: SVT now has individual clips of "4 O'Clock", "Keep On Walking" and "I'm So Happy" at http://svt.se/2.37615/allsang_pa_skansen?lid=index_2059174&lpos=sajt&from=innehall_ao

EDIT 21.07.10: I've just been reading on Aftonbladet and Expressen's website that there was a crowd of 27,000 at Skansen last night - twice as much as last week! I think the appearance of a certain Mr Al Fakir and a certain Mr Linnros may have had a lot to do with that...

Found a nice review of last night's show at http://www.aftonkuriren.se/?p=11947 with a good picture of Salem.

Were any Planet Salem readers at Skansen?

Allsång på Skansen right now!!

"I'm so happy" that I can watch Allsång på Skansen live on the internet right now!! http://svt.se/2.37615/

Salem opened tonight's Allsång with "4 O'Clock" - which immediately got the crowd going. It looks as if there are lots of Salem fans at the Sollidenscenen tonight :)))

Anyway he was brilliant as always, a complete showman and entertainer. And of course he looked very nice in his dark blue suit and new glasses!

But of course Salem being Salem, he got the words of the song mixed up and repeated "They were laughing, I was mourning" instead of singing "It's a never ending story"...but then again that's the kind of thing that makes him even more endearing to us!! :D

He'll be back again later in the show - I'm hyperventilating with excitement!!

Here's a picture from SVT's Allsång blog, from this afternoon's rehearsal for the show. Put your hands up :))

(photo courtesy of SVT/Emelie Birgersson)

Salem i mitt hjärta - Allsång tomorrow!

Don't forget to tune into SVT1 at 20:00 tomorrow night for this summer's most long-awaited edition of Allsång på Skansen! Salem and Oskar Linnros will be appearing on the show. Of course this brings back memories for me of Salem's first appearance on Allsång in July 2007, one of the first times I ever saw him on Swedish TV. This is one of my favourite clips ever, it's a brilliant performance of my favourite Salem song, and I thought I'd share it here once again for everyone who hasn't seen it....and of course for everyone who loves it as much as I do!!



And follow the lead-up to the big show at http://svt.se/2.37615/ which includes a little video interview with Salem, which was recorded at the show's launch a few weeks ago.

Get well soon, Salem!

I've just read on Facebook that Salem went on with the show in Falkenberg last night despite being sick.

Salem - I hope you get well soon and have a speedy recovery. Take care :)

40,000 - the magic number!

Today the number of Salem fans on his Facebook fan page reached the grand total of 40,000.

A quick mention for my other blog...

I just thought I'd give a quick mention here that my other blog, EuropeCrazy, is back and has been relaunched after a few weeks' break. It's mainly about music (lots of Swedish music of course), TV and travel, so check it out! http://europecrazy.blogspot.com.

Falkenberg, Sunday and Monday

Salem is playing a variety of venues on this extensive (and I would imagine, exhausting!) summer tour of Sweden....and on Sunday 18th/Monday 19th July he plays what could be described as the "sweetest" venue of them all! In other words, Stålboms Konditori in Falkenberg.

Support on both nights comes from Jennie Abrahamson.

It's an unusual and intimate venue and if you are lucky enough to have a ticket for the show, then you will be in for a treat as always.

And I don't just mean the cakes :))) Enjoy the show!

SN's review of Salem in Nyköping

(Sorry this is late but I've been out and about today!)

Södermanlands Nyheter has a review of Salem's show at Skeppsbron 11 in Nyköping on Thursday. It's an extremely positive review by Olle Söderström, in which he makes the point that Salem's music sounds as good in a small, packed, sweaty club as in a more formal concert hall. In the reviewer's words: Salem fits everywhere.

(Eva, or anyone who was there - what time did the show start and finish? I thought it might have started late?)

Another new remix of "Keep On Walking"

Unlike many of the recent remixes of Salem's music which have a definite dance vibe, this time the L-Wiz Relick takes "Keep On Walking" down a slower route with a more hip hop/r'n'b groove. Check it out for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNmjjSozs9E

Swedish charts update / Radio Airplay Chart

After 18 weeks on the Sverige Topplistan album chart, "Ignore This" stays at no. 27 this week. I'm sure the album will climb the charts again after Salem appears on Allsång next Tuesday!

Meanwhile "Keep On Walking" is climbing the Swedish airplay charts once again. The song has of course been one of the most played songs on Swedish radio since March 2010 and this week has climbed back up to no.5 (from last week's no.6) in the Nielsen Music Control Airplay Chart.

Malmöfestivalen update

The programme for this year's Malmöfestivalen has now been revealed. Salem will be performing at Stora Scenen, Stortorget on Thursday 26th August between 21:30 - 23:00.

More info at http://www.malmofestivalen.se/musik/dans-elektroniskt/salem-al-fakir/

New Norwegian interview with Salem

There is a very interesting interview (in Norwegian) with Salem at http://www.side2.no/underholdning/article2946158.ece which focuses on the remarks made in the Swedish media (just prior to Melodifestivalen) by Salem's violin teacher Michail Kazinik, when he criticised Salem for turning his back on classical music - "we got a pop artist for the price of a genius".

In this new interview Salem says he can't understand why Mr Kazinik made these comments...and that the attitudes within the classical music world are wrong: "Music is for everyone and no one should be able to say what's good or bad music"..."it is up to the individual listener to decide if he or she likes music". (My comments: Salem's all-inclusive attitude to music is well-documented in many interviews which he has done....and I think that's what makes his own music so diverse and special).

Nyköping tomorrow!

Skeppsbron 11 in Nyköping will be the latest stop on Salem's summer tour on Thursday 15th July.

If you're going, enjoy the show and as usual you can leave your comments, reviews, blog/video links etc here.

Three years of being a Salem fan!

Three years ago tonight, I became a Salem fan after seeing him perform on the Victoriadagen concert. Regular readers of Planet Salem will know the full story so I won't bore you with the details again - but if you want to know the story, this 2008 post explains it all: http://planetsalem.blogspot.com/2008/07/one-year-ago-tonight.html

All I want to say tonight is....thank you Salem, for three fantastic years, which have really changed my life! 14th July 2007 was the beginning of my journey from fan to fan-blogger, on a mission to tell the world all about this fantastic musician. Three years later, and so much has happened in that time. But my work here is far from over, and there's a long way to go - you could say "it's a never ending story" :)

But what's your fan-story? When was the moment you became a Salem fan? Were you a fan from the beginning of his career, or after Melodifestivalen? Did you discover his music by accident, like I did? I'd love to hear from you if you have a particular story to tell about how you discovered Salem's music, and what makes him so special to you.

Norwegian TV appearances...

A Norwegian newspaper article about tonight's recording of the Norwegian TV show "Allsang på Grensen": http://www.ha-halden.no/nyheter/article5193353.ece

Salem was one of the acts appearing in the show, which took place in Halden, in front of an audience of 8000 people. He sang "Keep On Walking" on the show, which will be broadcast on Norway's TV2 tomorrow night, 15th July, at 20:00.

Meanwhile here is the link to Salem's appearance on NRK's "Sommeråpent" on 13th July, when he sang "Keep On Walking". Unfortunately NRK's Nett-TV is still not working for me :( Can anyone outside Norway view this programme or not?? http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/221623/

Salem interview in mitti.se today

There's a very good new interview with Salem in the Mitt i.... publication which has different local editions for the greater Stockholm area. The good news is that this week's copy is also available on the internet at http://www.mitti.se/ so get along there quickly, choose a local area and follow the link to Salem's interview (page 14/15).

There is also a very nice photo of Salem on his boat, which I liked so much I wanted to share it with you all...


(photo by Anna Z Ek, courtesy of http://www.mitti.se/)

Salem on Norwegian TV tonight

Salem will be appearing on NRK1 TV's "Sommeråpent" tonight. The programme starts at 21:30.

It should be available to watch on the internet later on NRK's website, however when I tried to watch some other clips from previous shows, the video clips weren't available. (I don't know the reason for this - is it because I don't live in Norway, or because my internet connection isn't super-duper-fast enough??)

Borgholm?

I've been looking all over the internet and haven't been able to find any reviews or articles about Salem's gig in Borgholm last Friday.

Were any of you at the Strand Hotell? I'd love to hear what you thought of the show.

"I was aiming for Ukraine..." :)))

I know that this has been around YouTube for a while, but I thought I'd mention it if you hadn't seen it yet....a medley of Salem songs ("Keep On Walking"/"It's True"/"Astronaut"/"Roxy") with very humorous Russian-themed lyrics, sung in the style of the Red Army Choir!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYKe7zsa5pI

Umeå - Västerbottens Folkblad article

Article and a couple of pictures in Västerbottens Folkblad about Salem's show in Umeå last night:
http://www.folkbladet.nu/?p=177503

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" is at no. 27 in today's Sverige Topplistan albums chart.

Borgholm tomorrow!

From the north to the south east, Salem's summer tour continues....

Tomorrow night Salem and the band will be at the Strand Hotell in Borgholm. According to the hotel's official site http://www.sommarstrand.se/se/Kalender/2010-07-09 Salem will be on stage at 23:00.

If you're going, enjoy the show :)

Some pictures from Ö-vik last night

http://www.ornskoldsvik.se/Nyhetsarkiv/Nyhetsarkiv/Nyhetsarkiv-2010/2010-07-08-Bilder-fran-Salem-Al-Fakir-i-Strandparken-7-juli.html has some pictures from what looked like a glorious Swedish summer night :)

Västerbottens-Kuriren interview with Salem

A new interview with Salem, ahead of his appearance in Umeå tonight:
http://vk.se/Article.jsp?article=362335

Örnsköldsvik = 7000!

Salem was only expecting a few hundred people to turn up for his concert last night in Ö-vik..but he got 7000 people instead!!

A couple of features/reviews from last night's show which was a massive success:

http://www.webben7.se/2899-rekordmanga_besokare_pa_salemkonserten.aspx

http://allehanda.se/start/ornskoldsvik/1.2166242-succe-for-salem

If you were at the show remember to leave your comments here!

Even my iPod knows who I want to listen to!

On Wednesday morning, I switched on my iPod for my journey into town to go to work. Even though I now have about 1000 songs on my iPod, and had it on shuffle-play, here's what it decided I wanted to hear this morning....

Track 1 - "One Of The Others".
Track 2 - "Twelve Fingers".
Track 3 - "It's True".
Track 4 - "Inga Problem" (Snook, which Salem featured on).

Has this ever happened to any of you?

'Song of the Day' on Popjustice...

In case you're not familiar with Popjustice, it's a very important and influential British pop blog. Every day they have a 'Song of the Day' and today it's been none other than Fibes, Oh Fibes! "Love Will Always Find A Way" - the Damien Adore mix, which they prefer to the Pontus Winnberg mix :)

As Popjustice is one of this country's most high-profile music blogs, this will introduce the song, the band and of course the remixer to a whole new audience :) Popjustice is very supportive of Swedish music and I'm sure they will support Salem whenever his music is finally released over here.

Umeå tomorrow!

On Thursday night Salem and the band will be in Umeå, Norrland's biggest city, where they will top the bill in this week's "Sommaren i City" concert.

It's certainly a very diverse line-up tomorrow night, with rock band Sweet Seed on stage at 18:30, then dansband Max Fenders at 19:00, jazz pianist Birgit Lindberg at 20:00 and finally, at 21:00: Salem Al Fakir!!

More information at http://sommarenicity.se/om/sic2010/8-juli/

If you're going tomorrow night, enjoy the show!

The Facebook fan-count continues to climb - the total of fans on Salem's Facebook fan page reached 38,000 tonight.

Örnsköldsvik tomorrow!

Salem will be returning to Ö-vik tomorrow - the home of his Melodifestivalen triumph back in February! He and his band will be playing the annual 'Sjunde i Sjunde Klockan Sju' concert organised by Tidningen 7 magazine. (Promo picture above courtesy of http://www.webben7.se/)

More information at http://www.webben7.se/2624-arets_sjunde_i_sjunde_klockan_sju.aspx

Get along to Strandparken tomorrow night! The show starts of course at 7 o'clock (in the evening) - sorry I couldn't resist that little joke! - it should be an amazing show and best of all, it's free - so maybe Salem will win even more new fans!

Whilst I'm on the subject of new fans, I noticed that almost 3000 new fans have joined Salem's Facebook fan page in the last 3/4 days. This is great news, isn't it! I wondered if there was any particular reason for this - or is it just that everyone is finally beginning to appreciate his brilliant musical talent?

Also I thought I'd mention that Planet Salem's Swedish and international readership continues to grow, and this blog is now being read in all parts of the world. It doesn't matter where you come from, you are all very welcome as we all have one thing in common - we all love Salem!

Vote for Salem in this year's Rockbjörnen!

Just a reminder that you've still got time to nominate Salem in this year's Aftonbladet Rockbjörnen, the Swedish people's music awards. Vote at:
http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/rockbjornen2010/article7198677.ab

Nominations voting is open until 15th August, then the shortlisted nominations will be revealed and the final round of voting will open and will run until 25th August. The Rockbjörnen gala will take place on 1st September.

Salem fan-power is at its height at the moment (over 36,300 fans on Facebook today) so rösta, rösta, rösta!!

EDIT 07.07.10: I forgot to mention that you can vote once a day, every day! (Thanks again Eva!)

Damien remixing Fibes, Oh Fibes!

Pop in Stereo reports that Damien Adore has remixed the next single by one of my favourite Swedish bands, Fibes, Oh Fibes! Looking forward to hearing what Damien has done with "Love Will Always Find A Way". More information at http://www.popinstereo.com/?p=3482

EDIT 05.07.10: Here it is! (thanks for the link Eva!)
http://soundcloud.com/universalmusicsweden/love-will-always-find-a-way-damien-adore-remake/s-ozwHB

"Keep On Walking" - dance remix version!

If you are anything like me, then you won't let a day go by without hearing "Keep On Walking" which still sounds as fresh as it did when we all heard it back in February.

But it's also good to hear the song in a completely different way. I wanted to share this with you tonight - it's a great remix of the song by Swedish dance producer Vanity In Mind which puts the song into a whole new context and turns it into a great big electronic trance club anthem. I think it's great! Have a listen and let us know what you think.

Salem Al Fakir - "Keep On Walking (Vanity In Mind Remix)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNFU4Z67AUw

Check out the following for more info about Vanity In Mind:
http://vanityinmind.com
http://myspace.com/vanityinmind

There are so many good dance remixes of Salem's songs doing the rounds these days - maybe Salem should get the Swedish House Mafia, Adrian Lux, Vanity In Mind and all those other great Swedish remixers involved in a dance remix album at some point in the future? With Salem's music, anything is possible :)

One more thing...that great Adrian Lux remix of "4 O'Clock" is also getting some attention from one of the world's most famous DJs, Tiesto - he featured the song in his Club Life 169 radio show recently: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isl_T8TWReA

Enköping tonight!

Another night and another stop on Salem's lengthy summer tour, which arrives in Enköping tonight.

Salem will be on the Stora Scenen at the Enköping Gatufestivalen. I didn't know where Enköping was, so I had to check the map and found out that it is halfway between Västerås and Uppsala.

Here is the running order for tonight:

18:30 Eric Saade
20:30 Anna Bergendahl
22:00 Salem Al Fakir
00:00 Brolle

More information about Gatufestivalen (which has been running since Thursday) at www.gatufestivalen.se. Today is the last day of the festivities which will go on until 03:00 - yes, "three o'clock in the morning" ...I feel a song coming on ;))

If you are going, enjoy the show and of course you can post your comments here.

Now over 35,000 fans on Facebook!

Today Salem's Facebook fan page has reached the grand total of 35,000 fans.

This is brilliant news!!

Interview with Salem at helagotland.se

Go to http://www.helagotland.se/noje/artikel.aspx?articleid=6114643 where there is an interview with Salem in advance of his show in Visby tonight.

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" has dropped from no. 22 to no. 25 in this week's Sverige Topplistan album chart.


Meanwhile the ever-popular "Keep On Walking" has climbed back up from no. 60 to no. 53 in the Sverige Topplistan singles chart.

I think it would be fair to say that after all these weeks in the singles chart, and weeks at the top of the airplay chart and Mix Megapol Topp 20/Tracks etc..that "Keep On Walking" is the most popular song of 2010 in Sweden!

Visby tomorrow: discuss it here!

Salem and his band will be in Visby tomorrow for the latest stop on their summer tour and they will be playing at Wisby Strand Congress & Event.

I think there are still tickets available - so if you live on the island of Gotland, then this is your opportunity to see Sweden's greatest in action!! Go to http://www.wisbystrand.se/2409 for more information about the show.

I don't know if there are any Planet Salem readers living on Gotland, but if you're out there and going to Salem's concert tomorrow, remember that you can leave your comments about the show on this blog!

Salem in Kristianstad on 15th October

Kristianstadsbladet reports that Salem has been added to the list of artists appearing at the opening of the Kristianstads Arena on 15th October - Tommy Körberg, Lena Philipsson, Måns Zelmerlöw, Olle Jönsson and ConRytmo will also be appearing. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

Change of date for one of Salem's Falkenberg concerts

As reported at www.salemalfakir.com today, the show on Saturday 17th July at Stålboms Konditori has now been moved to Monday 19th July. (Tickets for Saturday's show will be valid for the Monday show, however refunds are also available if you can't make the new date - more info at www.stalboms.se)

Salem is playing a lot of very unusual venues this year - Stålboms looks very special, and those cakes look sooooooo tasty!

I thought this was a very nice quote from their homepage: "Livet är helt enkelt för kort för att inte unna sig en lång fika". Absolutely true!

Virserum review and interviews with Salem

There's a review and a nice little interview with Salem from yesterday's show at Virserums Kyrka at http://www.nyheterna.net/nyheter/hultsfred_vimmerby/musikanterna_naera_lyfta_taket_i_i_virserums_kyrka
I thought you would like to see this photograph too ;) (courtesy of Eva-Britt Harryson, http://www.nyheterna.net/, who also wrote the article).

Despite having a cold and a sore throat, it didn't stop him from performing a fabulous concert with his band! Very interesting to read that he didn't perform "All Day Love" as he stated that it was a personal gift to the couple...which made me wonder if he will ever perform it live again?

EDIT 30.06.10: Found this nice interview by Camilla Ärleskog at http://www.barometern.se/nyheter/hultsfred/slutsalt-nar-salem-al-fakir-showade(1993656).gm#articleimage-popup ....and another lovely picture of Salem (photograph courtesy of Camilla Ärleskog):

Salem on NRK P3's Popsalongen

http://nrkp3.no/popsalongen/salem-al-fakir-live-i-popsalongen/

Virserum tomorrow night - discuss it here!

If you are one of the lucky people who is going to Salem's sold-out show tomorrow night, which is part of the Virserums Musikdagar festivities, then let us know about it and leave your comments about the show here!

I didn't realise until today that the concert was taking place in a church (Virserums Kyrka) so that will be an unusual and special venue for his show. Here is a picture of Virserums Kyrka, from the official Virserums Musikdagar website: http://www.virserumsmusikdagar.se/

P4 Jönköping interview

Found this tonight: a short interview with Salem about his festival-summer on P4 Jönköping at http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2260&artikel=3809456 : this interview was recorded when Salem played at Popadelica a few weeks ago.

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" is at no. 22 in this week's Sverige Topplistan album chart, whilst "Keep On Walking" is still hanging on in there at no. 60 in the singles chart.

"Keep On Walking" is still getting lots of radio airplay in Sweden; however it's no longer the most played song on Swedish radio this week - that honour goes to Eurovision winner Lena Meyer-Landrut's "Satellite". Full chart at http://radionytt.se/nyheter/?p=5336

By the way, happy midsummer Salem...and to all the readers of this blog :)

Salem's NRK P3 Session tonight: Dagbladet's review, NRK's pictures, and where you can hear it!

Here is a review of tonight's P3 Session with Robyn and Salem in Oslo: http://www.kjendis.no/2010/06/23/kjendis/robyn/musikk/salem_al_fakir/nrk/12273066/

I liked these pictures from tonight's show, which are courtesy of NRK P3 @ Flickr, photographed by Tom Øverlie, NRK P3. More pictures from tonight at their Flickr photostream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nrk-p3/4728162887/in/photostream/

Whilst I'm on the subject, does anyone know if Salem's live set will be available to listen to at NRK's website/nettradio? They have Robyn's live session but I can't find Salem's yet :( Sadly I wasn't able to hear the show tonight as I wasn't at home. Were any of you at the show???

24 hours later....
EDIT 24.06.10: I've finally found it and am listening right now!!

Set List:

Red Rock
Cold Shower
4 O'Clock
Astronaut
Dream Girl
Backseat
It's True
Keep On Walking

You can hear the show at http://p3.no/whos-that-girl/ and if you click on the link 'Hør hele P3 sessions med Salem Al Fakir og Robyn her' you can hear the show on NRK's nettradio.

It was great, wasn't it??? :))
I loved Salem's set, and was particularly excited to hear "Backseat" as I've never heard him perform a full version of this live before, apart from seeing a brief clip from Berns on YouTube. I like the way that all the songs seem to run into each other, especially the segue from "Backseat" into "It's True" - and I thought it was a particularly good version of that song, so credit on this occasion must go to Salem's excellent band for "beefing up" the song!

And of course a fabulous version of "Keep On Walking" to finish!

OK I need to go to sleep now because I need to be up for work early in the morning but I just had to hear the P3 session before heading off to bed :)))

4 O'Clock: Facebook competition winners revealed!

Salem recently ran a competition on his Facebook fansite for readers to draw a picture or take a photograph which symbolised "4 O'Clock" for them. The results have now been revealed and you can see the winning entries at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=181524&id=50286022803

Well done to all the winners - you are all so artistic, creative and talented. Stort grattis :))

He's Salem Al Fakir again, and all is well: new (Finnish) interview

Interview (in Finnish) with Salem at http://plaza.fi/kaista/musiikki/haastattelut/haastattelu-salem-al-fakir-lapsinerosta-poptahdeksi

(I had to Google Translate all of this as I don't understand a word of Finnish!)

The interview covers all the usual topics - his musical childhood, massive success with "This Is Who I Am", the less successful "Astronaut", the name change from Salem Al Fakir to Salem and back again, Melodifestivalen success and of course the new album.

All Day Love: iTunes update - Monday

"All Day Love" is up to no. 20 in the iTunes Swedish singles chart today.

Uppsala and Norrköping...

An extra date has been added at Katalin, Uppsala on Thursday 2nd September because the show on 4th September has now sold out. More info at http://www.katalin.com/program.html and booking info at Ticnet: http://www.ticnet.se/checkout/event.php?eventId=KAU0902

According to Ticnet, http://www.ticnet.se/checkout/event.php?eventId=DEE0305 Salem will be playing the De Geerhallen in Norrköping on 5th March next year. Yes, 2011!! Tickets aren't on sale yet, but will go on sale at Ticnet on 30th August.

EDIT 27.07.2010: the Norrköping concert will be another orchestral collaboration, this time with the Norrköpings Symfoniorkester, and of course you can't have a Salem orchestra show without the world's best conductor - Hans Ek!

Interview clips of Salem from Popkalaset

YLE's Radio X3M has a couple of video interview clips with Salem recorded whilst he was appearing at yesterday's Popkalaset. (All interviews are in Swedish)

Salem on not dating his fans: http://arenan.yle.fi/video/1080793

Salem on not listening to music: http://arenan.yle.fi/video/1080239

Salem having his hair straightened! http://arenan.yle.fi/video/1080242
For everyone who loves Salem's wonderful curly hair, this clip is quite distressing :O

That guy with the hair straighteners seemed to be enjoying it a bit too much, although I don't think the same could be said for Salem!

All Day Love: iTunes update

"All Day Love" is now at no. 27 in the Swedish iTunes chart.

It's Royal Wedding mania in the chart today as "When You Tell The World You're Mine" which was sung by Agnes & Björn Skifs during yesterday's ceremony, is at no.1; other songs dedicated to the couple are also doing well - "Can't Stop Love" by Darin (no.2), "Det Är Bara Vi" by Carola (no.12).

Salem got the biggest audience at Love Stockholm 2010!

Check out this link (thanks Maria!) http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/kulturfoervaltningen-stockholms-stad/pressrelease/view/summering-av-love-stockholm-2010-427391 for all the stats about last week's Love Stockholm 2010, which was a big success.

And guess who got the biggest audience? Salem of course! 10,000 people watched his Skeppsbron concert last Thursday night compared to the average audience of 5,000 who attended the other concerts.

New Poll: What's your favourite track on This Is Who I Am?

Calling all Planet Salem readers!!

I've already had a poll for "Astronaut" and "Ignore This" so I thought it was about time for a poll of your favourite tracks on Salem's debut album. The poll will run between now and the end of July. As usual you can vote for one track, or more than one, or all of them if you want!

Then it will be time for the ultimate Salem poll, when your top 5 favourite tracks from "This Is Who I Am" will then compete against your top 5 tracks from "Astronaut" and "Ignore This" during August and September. The final chart, which will reveal your all-time favourite Salem song, will be published on 30th September (my birthday!). So get voting!

"All Day Love" no. 44 on iTunes Sweden!

It's only been around for one day, but already "All Day Love" is at no. 44 on the Swedish iTunes chart. Awesome :)

All Day Love!

For me, yesterday started off like any other Friday: woke up, went to work, posted the Swedish chart update at coffee-break time, had a very busy day at work and was glad when it was over so that I could come home and watch the YouTube clips from Skeppsbron. I didn't expect that the day would bring a new Salem song!

Last night I was briefly on Twitter, where there was a post from Salem via Facebook that he would be appearing on SVT, along with Linn and Stefan, to perform a new song.....I went to SVT's website where the concert for Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, from the Konserthuset in Stockholm, was being broadcast live on the internet so was able to watch Salem's performance of "All Day Love", his new song written especially for the occasion. What a lovely wedding gift, having Salem write and perform a song for the happy couple!

"All Day Love" is a sweet and joyous song: the concert featured an astonishing and ambitious orchestral arrangement of the song, (arranged by the one and only Hans Ek), with warm and heartfelt lyrics written by Linn Segolson, who is a very talented singer and songwriter, and the sister of the equally talented Stefan Segolson who is a great supporter of this blog, both of whom provided excellent backing vocals for Salem on the song last night.

Of course, Salem, being the excellent showman that he is, managed to get the audience (made up of royal families, politicians etc) clapping along - and Crown Princess Victoria is obviously a big Salem fan too. Even Britain's representative, Prince Edward, was smiling after Salem's performance. And did you all spot Sami in the orchestra??

I was lucky enough to get my free download of the song this morning from http://ica.shop2download.com/ so get along there quickly, if you haven't got it yet. There's a free download available to the first 5000 people who log on there.

Today, more than ever, I am proud and happy to be a Salem Al Fakir fan :))

Here is Salem's performance of "All Day Love" from last night....enjoy!

"You are my princess all day...."

"All Day Love": awesome song, fantastic performance. And a little reminiscent of "Good Song" which can only be a good thing).

Congratulations Salem, Linn and Stefan - this really made my night.

Tune to SVT right now...

or if you're in front of a computer: http://svt.se/2.132586/det_kungliga_brollopet_-_livesandningen?lid=puff_2047242&lpos=bild for Festföreställning Konserthuset: a pre-wedding celebration concert for Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, who are getting married tomorrow.

Salem is appearing in this show!! http://www.facebook.com/salemalfakir/posts/135569906455711

Popkalaset, Ekenäs - Saturday 19th June

Salem is back in Finland again tomorrow at the Popkalaset festival in Ekenäs. He will be on stage (Stora Scenen) at 19:45. All the information you need (including running order and ticket prices) is at www.popkalaset.com then click on 'Bra att veta'.

Other acts appearing tomorrow night: Takida, Erik Grönwall and Patrik Isaksson.

If you are one of Planet Salem's Finnish-based readers and you are going tomorrow night, remember to tell us know what you thought of the show.

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" is at no. 18 in the Sverige Topplistan album chart this week.

And "Keep On Walking" is at no. 60 in the singles sales chart, probably its final week there, but it's still at the top of the Mix Megapol Topp 20! (That new chart is revealed tomorrow)

Were you at Skeppsbron tonight???

I was just wondering how many people were in the audience at Salem's Skeppsbron show tonight? A few thousand? If you were one of them....let us know how much you enjoyed the show!

EDIT 22.06.10: Meant to post this earlier: Scandipop's review of Thursday night's Love Stockholm live shows, which of course included Skeppsbron....http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=2747I

Dalhalla by bus!

Only 65 days to go, for all you lucky people going to Dalhalla...now you can get there by bus from Stockholm, Gävle and Uppsala: http://www.festivalbussen.com/event.aspx?EventDateID=368

Love Stockholm....love Salem!

Some of the biggest names in Swedish pop have been performing at the Love Stockholm 2010 festival, which has been going on all week in the Swedish capital to celebrate this weekend's royal wedding of Crown Princess Victoria to Daniel Westling.

Tomorrow it will be Salem's turn to take to the stage in his adopted hometown: he will be performing at Skeppsbroscenen from 21:15 to 22.30, (and best of all, it's free!) so if you're in or around Stockholm, get along there and enjoy the show. I'm sure he will attract a massive crowd tomorrow night!

And remember, as usual you can leave your comments, YouTube/blog links and anything else you want to tell us about the show.

Are you the face of Dalhalla?

Salem needs your help for this new competition! From his Facebook fan page today:

Jag behöver din hjälp! Vill du vara med på minaffisch till konserten på Dalhalla den 21/8? Ta en bild på ditt ansiktemot en VIT bakgrund och maila den till foto@blixten.se (max 1mb). Viväljer ca 10 ansikten som får vara med på postern tillsammans med mig och bandet. Vi måste ha din bild senast 18 juni kl 10. De utvalda får, förutom är...an att vara med på affischen, även två biljetter till konserten. Lycka till!

For non-Swedish speakers:

I need your help! Do you want to be on my poster for the concert of Dalhalla 21/8? Take a picture of your face against a white background and email it to foto@blixten.se (max 1 MB). We will select approximately 10 faces that may be included on the poster along with me and the band. We must have your image by 18 June at 10. The winners shall win two tickets to the concert, in addition to being on the poster. Good luck!

Värmlands Folkblad review of Salem in Karlstad

This is one of the best reviews I've read in a long time:
http://www.vf.se/Kultur--Noje/Varmland/Visst-finns-popstjarnor-100614.aspx

A midsummer night's dream indeed!

On 23rd June, Salem and Robyn will be appearing on NRK's "P3 Sessions" - more information at http://p3.no/en-midtsommernattsdrom/comment-page-1/

60 lucky listeners will get the chance to see the show and you can also find info at the above link.

This will be a terrific double bill and it will be good to hear Salem playing live on the radio once again.

Does anyone know if this show will be available on NRK's website to 'listen again'? (I'm not at home most Wednesday nights so won't be able to hear the show live) - if so, can someone post the link or point me in the right direction?

Thanks again...I will need to learn some Norwegian :)

NWT's review of Salem in Karlstad

NWT has a very positive review of Salem's Saturday night show in Karlstad: http://www.nwt.se/noje/konsert/article723421.ece

Chart positions, an interview and a request...

After all these weeks, "Keep On Walking" remains at no.1 on the Mix Megapol Topp 20: http://www.mixmegapol.se/musik/mix-topp-20 (Does anyone know what's happened to the link to vote on this chart - I can't find it).

Meanwhile "4 O'Clock" is at no. 3 on SR P3's "Tracks" chart, and "Keep On Walking" is no. 9: http://sverigesradio.se/p3/topplistor/tracks/
"Tracks" is now taking a summer break and will return on 28th August - the new list of songs will be revealed on their website on 16th August.

"Keep On Walking" is at no. 3 on SR P4's "Svensktoppen" chart: http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?ProgramID=2023&Artikel=454963

A nice new interview with Salem at http://www.nwt.se/noje/article722223.ece where he talks about Melodifestivalen, growing up in a musical family, his drumming heroes, and why it's possible to be popular and true to yourself at the same time.

Finally, I have a request for my Swedish-speaking readers: can you tell me if Salem's interview was finally published in Aftonbladet today? (I couldn't find anything on their website). I'd really appreciate if any of you could let me know what he said in the interview. Thanks!

EDIT 17.06.10: Special thanks to Anna for the translation and scans: it was a really nice interview :) So, Salem is top of the Swedish women's 'wish list'...that's no surprise. Talent, looks, style, personality and charm - he has it all. But then we have known that for a long time, haven't we ;))

Blue Moon Bar, Karlstad, Saturday 12.06.2010: discuss it here!

If you're going to Salem's show in Karlstad, this is the post for you to leave your comments about the show.

'Mingla i Mark' tonight in Kinna - discuss it here!

Salem will be headlining the 'Mingla i Mark' festival tonight in Kinna and he will be on stage at 21:15.

If you are going to the show, remember to leave your comments here!

Swedish charts update

"Ignore This" is no. 13 this week in the Sverige Topplistan album chart.

Allsång på Skansen - 20th July!

Great news!

Just found out from Salem's official site that he will be appearing on the legendary Swedish summer TV show on 20th July, three years after his first appearance there.

Here is this year's line-up, which was announced today.

Programme 1: 29th June
The Ark, Mozart Group, Anna Bergendahl, Robert Broberg, Carola

Programme 2: 6th July
The Playtones, Marie Kühler, Eric Saade, Marie Bergman, Mikael Wiehe, The Ten Tenors, Wille Crafoord, Marika Willstedt

Programme 3: 13th July
Cotton Eye Joe Show, Darin, Timoteij, Movits!, Olivia Stevens, Kikki Danielsson

Programme 4: 20th July
Salem Al Fakir, Gunhild Carling, Drängarna, The Real Group, Di Leva, Oskar Linnros

(Salem and Oskar Linnros on the same show - this should be a great one!)

Programme 5: 27th July
Mando Diao, Jonas Gardell, Thorsten Flinck, Christer Sjögren, Jasmine Kara, Lill Lindfors, Idolerna

Programme 6: 3rd August
The Baseballs, Huutajat, Jakob Hellman, Kjerstin Dellert, Gösta Linderholm

Programme 7: 10th August
Jerry Williams, Ola Forssmed, Tove Styrke, Orup, Hanna Lindblad, Charlotte Perrelli, Magnus Carlsson

Programme 8: 17th August
Sveriges Radios Symfoniorkester, Anders Berglund, Måns Zelmerlöw, Lisette Pagler, Fredrik Lycke, Sarah Dawn Finer, Joachim Bergström

As usual there is something for everyone in the line-up - apart from Salem and Oskar, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing The Ark, Mando Diao, Orup, Darin, Måns Zelmerlöw and Sarah Dawn Finer.

After "Nu är det gott att leva" at Skansen in 2007 and then "Det börjar verka kärlek banne mej" at "Lotta på Liseberg" in 2009, I wonder what classic Swedish oldie will be getting the 'Allsång' treatment from Salem this time? And of course I'm sure he will play "Keep On Walking" and "4 O'Clock" which will both be massive crowd-pleasers! I guess that many of you who read this blog and live in Stockholm will be at Skansen on the 20th July and making yourselves heard!!

Meanwhile I will be sitting over here watching it on SVT Play as usual and wishing I was there with you all :))

Jakob and Nisse spotted on Sommarkrysset!

I've just been watching this clip of Petter on Saturday night's "Sommarkrysset"....and spotted none other than Jakob and Nisse in his backing band!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTppTFF8aY8

A new bootleg mash-up

Found this on YouTube tonight: "Kids Are True In Technicolour" - a bootleg mash-up dance mix by Carl Louis and Martin Danielle, of MGMT's "Kids", Coldplay's "Life In Technicolour"....and Salem's "It's True"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0563B5i0POE

The return of the Kitchen Sessions, and a German snowboarding video....

Thanks Stefan :)

I wondered when Salem would bring us another "Kitchen Session"....well, 'here we go, here we go again...' :))) Yes. "4 O'Clock" has been given the "Kitchen Sessions" treatment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0w83IxwMw8

"Twelve Fingers" is also used as the soundtrack music to the 2010 video "Don't Panic" by the German snowboarding brand Isenseven:
http://vimeo.com/12260747

Salem's "Tracks" double!!

Good news today as "4 O'Clock" is the highest new entry in P3's "Tracks" chart today at no.3....meanwhile, "Keep On Walking" is also still in the top 10, it's at no. 7 this week.

So there are now two good reasons to vote to keep Salem in the top 10 on next week's chart! You can vote between today and 14:00 on Monday, at http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/p3/tracks/index.asp?taskid=1

"Keep On Walking" remains at no.1 on Mix Megapol's Mix Topp 20 : http://www.mixmegapol.se/musik/mix-topp-20

Swedish charts update

Sverige Topplistan day...

"Keep On Walking" is at no. 50 this week, in a singles chart packed with Eurovision and Melodifestivalen songs! No sign of "4 O'Clock" :( I hope it'll return to the chart soon.

"Ignore This" is climbing the album chart again and is back up to no. 11 this week.

Liseberg reviews in Expressen and GP

Found these this morning - (both positive reviews I guess, given that there can sometimes be a lack of enthusiasm from the Swedish media about Salem's live shows - why are they reluctant to give him five stars???? )

http://www.expressen.se/noje/musik/1.2009224/salem-al-fakir-ger-bevis-pa-att-han-blivit-folklig

http://www.gp.se/kulturnoje/musik/1.383425-salem-al-fakir-liseberg

That's amazing news that 6,500 people were there! It's only a matter of time until he's playing the Scandinavium :))

EDIT 23:00: I'm watching and enjoying the YouTube clips posted so far. Hope there will be more to come! It just occurred to me that "4 O'Clock" provides the best clapping-opportunity for a live audience since another crowd-pleasing anthem, Queen's "We Will Rock You"!! Don't you agree??

"Ignore This" favourite tracks poll : the results are in!

The poll, which has been running for the last couple of months, has now closed. Here are the final results of the poll! Thanks to each and every one of you who voted (608 votes were cast), and here is the list of your favourite tracks on "Ignore This" in order of preference.

From the beginning it was a very close contest between the top two songs, although there was one clear favourite with you all from the very beginning...

1. Brooklyn Sun - 188 votes (30%)
2. Keep On Walking - 180 votes (29%)
3. 4 O'Clock - 134 votes (22%)
4. Virgin Mary - 119 votes (19%)
5. I'm So Happy - 100 votes (16%)
6. Split My Personality - 82 votes (13%)
7. This Is For - 77 votes (12%)
8. Part Of It - 61 votes (10%)
9. Bloody Breakfast - 46 votes (7%)
10. Red Rock - 44 votes (7%)
J11. Cowboys and Dinosaurs - 27 votes (4%)
J11. Don't Wanna Talk About It - 27 votes (4%)
13. The Song I Never Wrote - 23 votes (3%)

I think these polls are good fun and I'm planning some more in future - got a couple of ideas in mind, but if you have any Salem-related polls you would like to suggest then please let me know!

By the way, Planet Salem is two and a half years old today...doesn't time fly when you're having fun!!

Oslo, 02.06.2010: discuss it here!

If you're going to see Salem and his band at the John Dee Club in Oslo tomorrow night, remember to leave your comments here! I would like to hear from some Norwegian fans....and I wondered if anyone from Sweden will be crossing "over the border" to see Salem in Norway?

Whilst on the subject of Oslo, and Salem....Alice, are you still reading the blog? I was just wondering if you would be going to the Oslo show?

Link to Liseberg pictures

If you go to the always excellent Rockfoto.nu you'll find some pictures from tonight's Liseberg show at the following link: http://rockfoto.nu/artists/Salem%20Al%20Fakir/gig/20100601/12756/photos/93380

White shirt + black braces + black trousers = very nice ;))))

Salem in Stockholm - 17th June!

It's just been announced today that Salem will be one of the many acts appearing at the Love Stockholm festival, which is taking place to celebrate the marriage of Crown Princess Victoria to Daniel Westling.

He will be appearing at Skeppsbroscenen on 17th June at 21:15 Swedish time.

Check out http://www.lovestockholm2010.se/EN/Info.aspx for info on all the acts appearing there.

Liseberg, Gothenburg 01.06.2010: discuss it here!!

A beautiful, dry, sunny day is forecast for Gothenburg tomorrow, which will be just perfect for Salem's open-air show at Stora Scenen in Liseberg tomorrow night at 20:00! Regular readers will know that Gothenburg is a very special place for me, but sadly I won't be there this time :((
however I'm extra excited for all of you who will be there tomorrow night! As usual, this is the place for you to discuss the show.

All your comments and YouTube links etc are very welcome as always!!

(Of course it will be a very different show from Salem's last appearance in the city, just 10 weeks ago at the Konserthuset..if you were at that show and are going to see Salem again tomorrow night, I'd be particularly interested to hear your views on tomorrow's show).

And finally...good luck to Salem and the band for tomorrow night!

Salem's video interview with Cosmopolitan in Finland (in English)

I just found this tonight - a video interview recorded last week when Salem was on his first ever promotional trip to Finland. Check out http://www.cosmopolitan.fi/cosmo-nyt/cosmotv/1/348/ where you'll find Salem talking about his musical childhood, not listening to music, Melodifestivalen and his positive outlook on life. I thought this was a nice little interview. Enjoy!

30,000 reasons to celebrate!

Good news! Salem now has over 30,000 fans on Facebook! (I wonder how many of them visit this blog???.....you're all welcome!)

Salem on Fredagsmonarkin in Finland

Salem appeared on YLE Radio's "Fredagsmonarkin" - here's the link to Salem's interview (in Swedish): http://arenan.yle.fi/video/1018975

Swedish charts update

In this week's Sverige Topplistan singles chart, "Keep On Walking" is at no. 39 whilst "4'O'Clock" is up to no. 52.

In the album chart, "Ignore This" is at no. 14.

I forgot to mention the other day that "Keep On Walking" placed at no. 3 in the Mix Megapol Topp 1000 chart - Salem was the highest-placed Swedish act in this chart, so congratulations!! Full chart at http://www.mixmegapol.se/mix-topp-1000

Salem's back on the radio tomorrow

Tune into Vakna med The Voice at 07.25 and then Mix Megapol at 08.05 tomorrow morning!!

EDIT 28.05.10: If you heard any of the interviews, as usual I'd be very happy if you let me know what he said? (I was just wondering if any of the presenters dared to mention a certain song contest last night???? )

Salem confirmed for Malmofestivalen

It's now official: http://www.malmofestivalen.se/klara-bokningar/

Salem interview (in English) on The Voice in Finland today

Here are clips from Salem's appearance on The Voice in Finland today - even better news for all those of you out there who don't understand Swedish, as the interview is in the English language. It's always nice to hear Salem speaking English, so I really enjoyed this. Hope you all enjoy it too.


http://www.voice.fi/index.php?option=com_sbsfile&tmpl=audiovideo&cid=7094


http://www.voice.fi/index.php?option=com_sbsfile&tmpl=audiovideo&cid=7095

Salem in Finland...

I've only just found out about this one, so sorry it's late :(

Salem has been in Finland today and appeared on the KesäKummit charity concert tonight, which was very similar to the "Children In Need" show that we have on British TV every year. The only difference is that we aren't lucky enough to have someone like Salem appearing on that show! (Well maybe in the future...I can dream!)

EDIT 25.05.2010: you can watch the show at http://www.katsomo.fi/?progId=39928

(Many thanks again to our good friend Eva who sent me the link)

Salem performs "4 O´Clock" (1 min 24 sec into the show) and "Keep On Walking" (1 hour, 5 min and 42 secs into the show). As usual, he never disappoints. Looking and sounding great at the moment, don't you all agree? And I just love the hair ;)

There is also a nice Swedish-language interview with Salem on this Finnish website: http://www.peppar.fi/article/Salem-Al-Fakir-pa-Finlandsbesok

4 O'Clock: the video

Lund, 22.05.2010: discuss it here!

If you were one of the 4000 (or more) people who were in Lund last night, watching Salem headline the Lundakarnevalen, please leave your comments here if you have anything you want to tell us about the show.

So what's been happening then???

Hello again everyone, I’m back home now from my holiday in Bratislava - which was almost cancelled as the airports were all closed due to the volcanic ash cloud reappearing. However, the airport reopened just three hours before the flight was due to depart, so I was able to get away. Even if the weather wasn't so good, it didn't stop me having a great time in the beautiful capital city of Slovakia.

But that's enough about me, let’s talk about Salem! I’m just catching up with everything that’s happened over the past week...

4 O’Clock - single and mixes-EP released last Monday. Currently at no.45 in the iTunes chart, and No. 60 on Sverige Topplistan. Although I’m sure the song will climb much higher...

4 O'Clock - Video: the video for "4 O’Clock" was premiered on Spotify on Friday. Enjoy!
http://www.spotify.com/se/blog/archives/2010/05/21/salem/

The video was made by Andreas Ackerup and Stefan Segolson - well done, you did a great job! It's a very minimalist, black and white video which stays with the monochrome styling of "Ignore This". Of course you won't be able to ignore this video - and you won't take your eyes off the screen for one second. Some martial arts moves, some dancing, some clapping....and Salem barefoot ;))

Chart positions: Ignore This - no. 10 in the Sverige Topplistan / no. 6 on iTunes.
Keep On Walking - no. 35 in the Topplistan, no. 34 in the SR Digilistan. The song was the most played on Swedish radio for five weeks in a row but has finally fallen from the top spot to make way for Melodifestivalen winner This Is My Life. http://radionytt.se/nyheter/?p=5033
　
Good news - Keep On Walking is still at no. 1 in the Mix Megapol Topp 20: vote at
www.mixmegapol.se/program/mix-topp-20-gbg to keep it at the top for yet another week!

Keep On Walking is no. 2 on SR P3's Tracks chart this week - you have until 14:00 tomorrow to vote to keep the song up there in next week’s chart. Vote at
http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/p3/tracks/index.asp?taskid=1

Djävulsrallyt: sadly Salem and Claudia narrowly missed out on a place in the final (they came third). You can watch last Monday night's programme again at www.kanal5play.se/program/play/djavulsrallyt-s01e01

Webchat: Salem did a webchat for sydsvenskan.se this week, just before his appearance at Lundakarnevalen. You can read the transcript at www.sydsvenskan.se/lund/karneval-2010/article880283/Chatta-med-Salem-al-Fakir.html

In that interview Salem mentioned that he will be appearing with his band at this year’s Malmofestivalen, which will take place between 20th and 27th August - although this hasn’t officially been announced yet, so I don't have any more details at the moment.

Lundakarnevalen 22.05.2010: check out these very positive reviews of last night’s show :-

http://www.lundagard.se/2010/05/23/trallvanlig-eufori-pa-stora-scenen/

http://www.expressen.se/noje/recensioner/konsert/1.1997902/full-fart-for-fakir

I think that's all for now! If I missed anything please let me know :))

Aiming for the sky...it's time for a break!

Tomorrow I am going away for a city break in Bratislava (Slovakia) for a few days. Anyway that is the plan, however as the volcanic ash cloud is now back over the UK, there is a real chance that I won't get away - most of our airports have been closed today and may be closed again tomorrow :(

If I do get away on holiday, Planet Salem will be closing for a few days and should return late on Saturday night. In the meantime keep the comments and emails coming and I will get back to you next weekend.

A couple of things before I go - remember that "4 O'Clock" is released as a single tomorrow! Also, Salem will be on "Djävulsrallyt" on Kanal 5 at 20:00 tomorrow night.

Vi ses snart.... :)

/Laura.

Swedish charts update

It's Sverige Topplistan time once again...

"Keep On Walking" has fallen to no. 28 in the singles chart. I was also very surprised to see that "4 O'Clock" had gone down to no. 57, although surely it will climb the chart again following its official release?

"Ignore This" continues to climb the albums chart again and is up to no. 10 this week. I suppose that with Salem's summer tour on the way, the album will continue to do well as more and more people discover his music.

Thanks everyone....

I want to thank everyone who contributed their views, set-lists and comments about Salem's shows at Berns last weekend. You all perfectly captured the special experience of a Salem Al Fakir concert and brought it alive for those of us who couldn't be there - and for those who were there, you helped them to relive the experience.

Since that time, I've watched all the video clips, looked at all the pictures and read all the blog posts and every one of them has had me buzzing with excitement. To hear everyone singing along with Salem's songs is a fantastic feeling...he has become so popular now and has so many devoted fans. Which is a wonderful thing indeed!

This week there has also been an increase in daily visitor numbers to Planet Salem, so once again thank you all. I want Planet Salem to keep growing as a community for Salem fans, a place where everyone is welcome to chat about our favourite musical genius!! So if you're a regular visitor, then don't be afraid to leave your comments on any of the posts which I publish - you are among friends here and I'm very happy to hear from each and every one of you!

More tour dates announced

I've only just found out about some new tour dates - I would have posted about it earlier but I haven't been around much today/tonight so apologies for the delay.

If you go to http://www.salemalfakir.com/turne/ you will find the full list of tour dates. The summer of 2010 is going to be a very exciting time for Salem fans in Sweden (and Finland and Norway!). I hope he is coming to a town near you!

EDIT 13.05.2010: I've had a look at some of the places which Salem will be visiting on his tour...but there are also a few familiar towns/cities missing from the list, which makes me wonder if there are further dates to be announced?

How many of you will be going to Dalhalla? This looks like a fantastic venue and it will be a special night - he will be performing with the Gävle Symfoniorkester, which will be under the direction of the brilliant conductor Hans Ek. Tickets go on sale at 10.00 am tomorrow.

Here's a little background information about the Gävle Symfoniorkester:

http://www.gavlesymfoniorkester.se/gs_om_symfoni.php

Salem on SVT's "Go'kväll" - Wednesday 12th May

Don't forget to tune in to SVT's "Go'kväll" this Wednesday. The show starts at 18:15 and Salem will be playing with his band in the studio. The show will also be available to watch later at SVT Play - I'll post the link tomorrow night.

EDIT 12.05.10: Watch the show again at http://svtplay.se/t/102930/gokvall

There's a brief interview with Salem at the beginning of the show, then he and the band perform "Keep On Walking". Salem is back again 28 minutes into the show, for another interview and then it's time for (clap clap) "4 O'Clock".

The sight of Salem singing and dancing around will definitely put a smile on your face. Very infectious and entertaining :))) Are you all pointing your fingers in the air ???? ;)

Radio Creme Brulee weekly chart update!

Salem still has two songs in this week's Radio Creme Brulee listeners chart - "Virgin Mary" is at no. 8 and "One of the Others" is at no. 13.

http://www.radiocremebrulee.com/Creme_Brulee_Weekly_Top_20.php

Dagens Nyheter review of Salem at Berns

Dagens Nyheter has a review of Salem's Berns concert here: http://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/konsertrecensioner/salem-al-fakir-pa-berns-1.1091372

Swedish charts update

I forgot to mention yesterday that "Keep On Walking" has climbed back up to no.2 from last week's no.4, in the SR Tracks chart. So, as usual, it's time to rösta, rösta, rösta! Vote at http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/p3/tracks/index.asp?taskid=1 - voting closes at 14:00 tomorrow.


Good news as "Keep On Walking" is still at no.1 in the Mix Megapol Mix Topp 20 chart this week - vote at http://www.mixmegapol.se/program/mix-topp-20 to keep Salem at the top of next week's chart!

In today's P3 Digilistan chart, "Keep On Walking" has slipped from no.11 to no.17 - and "4 O'Clock" is a new entry at no.48. http://sverigesradio.se/p3/topplistor/hitlistan/

The best news of course is that "Keep On Walking" remains the most played song on all Swedish radio stations over the past week - go to http://radionytt.se/nyheter/wp-content/uploads/rnm100507.pdf for the Nielsen Airplay Chart and a full listing of all the radio playlists. I guess it won't be long before "4 O'Clock" will be on the A-list playlists!!

Berns, Stockholm tonight and tomorrow - discuss it here!

Are you ready? Are you excited? Are you going to one (or more) of Salem's homecoming gigs in Stockholm tonight and tomorrow? Then this is the place to talk about it - please leave your comments on the show here.

I'm particularly interested to know about the set list (maybe Damien Adore will make a guest appearance??) and also what you thought about the support act, Oskar Linnros (I'm looking forward to his debut solo album).

I'm so excited for all of you....and of course I wish I was there. It will be fantastic.

Good luck Salem and the band for tonight and tomorrow!

Comments information

I can't remember if I mentioned this in any of my previous posts, but I'll just mention it anyway. Although this is an English language blog, you can leave comments on any posts in either English or Swedish. Many of my Swedish readers are better at the English language than I am :) but if you're maybe not so confident writing in English then it's ok to leave comments in Swedish!

As I live in a Salem-free zone (Britain), where most people haven't heard of him, it's great to chat with you all on this blog so keep the comments coming!

Swedish charts update

It's Friday, the weekend is nearly here and it's going to be a big weekend for all Salem fans in Stockholm of course :)

Anyway, let's have a look at the Sverige Topplistan charts - "Keep On Walking" is at no. 17 this week - and "4 O'Clock" is already at no. 49 ahead of its official release on 17th May.

More good news! "Ignore This" has gone back up to no. 11 in the album chart.

School choirs sing Salem!

I think I've just found Sweden's coolest school choirs: Hagaskolan and Navestadskolan performed "Keep On Walking" at a concert today and the video is now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdk29egUnPs

Excellent work, boys and girls - well done!

Translation of "Glamour" magazine article

Thanks once again to my good friend Eva for the translation of the "Glamour" magazine article written by Emma Sundh, in which Salem and six other male artists were interviewed.

Read on...and enjoy!

"50 things you didn’t know about men".
We let some of Sweden’s most gorgeous men tell us a few secrets about themselves. Read, be amazed and fall in love anew.

Salem Al Fakir, 28 Just released a new album, ”Ignore This”

We consider ourselves to be simple and uncomplicated: "But the truth is, we are just as complicated as women are."

We have hormone cycles, too: "Just as women have hormone cycles, so do men – that's at least my opinion. Periods of time when we are extra sensitive and so on."

We like to pick up the bill: "A lot of girl gangs tend to split the bill among them, while me and my friends are glad to pay for each other – it all evens out in the end. We don't do it to crack one another, but because it's smooth and easy. Furthermore, lots of guys like to be gentlemen and for example hold the door for others. This doesn't necessarily imply that we are not equal."

Nerdy men are worth a second glance: "Nerdy men have many hidden talents. Widen your view and look beyond the stereotypes. Prince Charming isn't always the one you'd expect."

We have 'girls talk' too: "I may be part of that troop of men who can sit around talking for hours ..."

Men also analyse: "I analyse, but I don't do it just for the sake of it, but to come up to something. I believe there is a male twist to analysing."

We desire you: "Many guys can be bad at showing desire and affirmation, but that doesn't mean we don't feel desire and find you beautiful. After all, we choose you, choose to wake up with the same person every day."

We need affirmation, too: "Even if you – as I – receive acknowledgement on stage, it doesn't mean I don't have any need for affirmation. The most important and best kind of affirmation is the one you get from close friends and in a relationship."

We love it when you do little things: "I love it when someone does little things for me, such as tending me the bathroom towel when I'm washing my face. That makes me elated and happy. Those are the kind of things I'd gladly do for others, and I appreciate when someone does them for me."

Isn't that just so sweet!! Of course we would all hand you the bathroom towel, Salem :))))

Djävulsrallyt - new interview clip with Salem & Claudia

Tonight I found this interview clip with Salem and Claudia at Kanal 5's website: http://www.kanal5play.se/klipp/play/djavulsrallyt-infor-s01e01-claudiasalem

I think they make a really nice couple and I hope they win!! "Djävulsrallyt" will be screened on Kanal 5 on 17th May.

Platens Bar, Linköping tonight - discuss it here!

Salem will be playing at Platens Bar in Linköping tonight. If you're going, enjoy the show!

This is the comments post for the show so if you have any comments you want to make about the concert, please leave your comments here.

Thanks everyone!

Norske fans .... velkommen til Planet Salem!

It's all happening in Norway for Salem! "Keep On Walking" has been the most played song on NRK P3 radio this week, the song is no.41 in the Norwegian iTunes singles chart, and of course Salem appeared on "God Morgen Norge" today.

If you are one of Salem's Norwegian fans and you've just discovered his wonderful music, I thought it would be a good time to welcome you all to Planet Salem! And welcome back, to all of you who have been Salem fans for a long time :) Remember that you can leave your comments on any of my posts, and you are very welcome to email me anytime if you want to chat about everything to do with Salem Al Fakir! (I don't speak Norwegian, but comments in both English and Norwegian are welcome, as I'll translate them using Google Translate).

Also, if you have any news about Salem in Norway whether it's TV or radio appearances, reviews or other media articles, or anything else... please contact me and I'll mention it on the blog.

Takk!

All good things come to an end :(

After all these weeks, "Keep On Walking" has finally left the Rix FM Topp 6 Klockan 6 chart :( however I hope it won't be long until "4 O'Clock" makes an appearance and then the voting game can start all over again!

Yet another award for Salem !

Salem has been awarded the Swedish Sound Engineers Society prize - "the Golden Rule" - in recognition of his audio recording and mixing work. More information at
http://www.musikindustrin.se/712/nyheter.html

I'm particularly happy to see Salem get this kind of recognition, because he puts so much work into the recording, production and mixing of his songs, in addition to singing, songwriting, playing all the instruments....there is no end to the man's musical talent :)

Salem on "God Morgen Norge" - TV2, Norway

Salem appeared on TV2's "God Morgen Norge" today and sang "Brooklyn Sun" and "Keep On Walking". There is a link to the show at http://webtv.tv2.no/webtv/sumo/?treeId=16 (although when I clicked on this, it asked if I wanted to subscribe?)

EDIT 06.05.2010: Salem has posted these clips on his official site, but here are the links anyway...

"Keep On Walking":


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNRux8J11_M What a wonderful new band-arrangement of the song - I didn't know how it would work without the strings, but it works very well, it's extremely soulful, and I particularly liked the new ending to the song.

"Brooklyn Sun":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQwEone_FS8&NR=1 Well what more can you say about this song? Everytime I hear him sing this song live, it completely rips my heart to shreds. And despite faltering on the first note, Salem delivered what I think is one of his best vocal performances of this song that I've ever heard from him.

What time is it???

...it's "4 O'Clock" :D

And here is the cover of Salem's forthcoming new single - which stays with the same design-style as "Ignore This" and "Keep On Walking". The single will be released in two weeks' time, on 17th May.

Does anyone have any news about the video for the song yet, and when we will get to see it???