Stockholm by day - taken on Sunday morning
I rose early, partly because I always do and partly because I wanted to get some breakfast in me and take a walk around a bit of the city before catching the train to Uppsala to see a friend. A bitter wind was blowing but it was not as grim and wet as the forecast had been predicted, though I did yearn for the scarf and gloves I’d foolishly left at home.
Granite lion. These are not merely decorative, although they are in this particular location; they also help to prevent vehicular attack on the streets with heaviest pedestrian traffic.
( +27 )
Stockholm by night - taken on Friday evening
( Rock Bar )
As I staggered home from the rock bar on Friday night, it turns out I also took some photos with my dSLR. A few of them even turned out OK.
Inflatable ghost hovering over one of the main shopping avenues, because the Swedes appear to have embraced Halloween.
( +3 )
I rose early, partly because I always do and partly because I wanted to get some breakfast in me and take a walk around a bit of the city before catching the train to Uppsala to see a friend. A bitter wind was blowing but it was not as grim and wet as the forecast had been predicted, though I did yearn for the scarf and gloves I’d foolishly left at home.
Granite lion. These are not merely decorative, although they are in this particular location; they also help to prevent vehicular attack on the streets with heaviest pedestrian traffic.
( +27 )
Stockholm by night - taken on Friday evening
( Rock Bar )
As I staggered home from the rock bar on Friday night, it turns out I also took some photos with my dSLR. A few of them even turned out OK.
Inflatable ghost hovering over one of the main shopping avenues, because the Swedes appear to have embraced Halloween.
( +3 )
tags:
As I’ve mentioned previously, my trip to Stockholm was centred around attendance at the one-night Bodyfest EBM (electronic body music) festival. I specifically went to see Roya. We went to high school together in the States, and as far as I know, she’s the only other one of my classmates who moved to Europe and then decided to emigrate permanently. She just made a better different choice of country (fuuuuuucking Brexit, sorry/not sorry for swearing).
Anyway, I arrived at the Nalen Theatre, a classically beautiful venue, just as Roya began her set. I squirreled myself away behind a small table occupied by a couple of chaps who looked as if they wouldn’t bother me. I was right. Good job, chaps; this solo lady appreciated being left alone to enjoy her old friend’s music.
I was captivated from the first note. I’ve listened to Roya’s music through good headphones and decent speakers, but there is something about hearing it fill up a space with an excellent sound system that cannot be replicated. She had specially arranged fast-paced beats on her songs for the fest. The packed room didn't have much space for full-bodied dancing/stomping and it was also very early, but the rapt audience enthusiastically bobbed heads in appreciation.
The synths wrapped their arms around me. My tiny, talented friend raised her haunting voice, sending tingles that raced down my spine opposite the beat radiating up from the soles of my feet.
Roya’s set (all links go to her bandcamp page)
After the crowd flowed away, I headed into the main theatre to see if I could find Roya. I did. She was still giddy from her set and I was giddy about seeing her for the first time in seven years. We exchanged brief precis of our lives in the interim, and she introduced me to various Swedes who came up to compliment her.
I went to find a drink. A coke, I discovered cost slightly more than £3. Much as I appreciated the caffeine, I figured there had to be a cheaper way to stay hydrated, and that was how I discovered the marble drinking fountain with the thoughtfully placed array of paper cups placed next to it in the theatre foyer. I downed a few cups before Underviewer’s set started on the main stage.
( A few photos and words. There's even a selfie. )
Anyway, I arrived at the Nalen Theatre, a classically beautiful venue, just as Roya began her set. I squirreled myself away behind a small table occupied by a couple of chaps who looked as if they wouldn’t bother me. I was right. Good job, chaps; this solo lady appreciated being left alone to enjoy her old friend’s music.
I was captivated from the first note. I’ve listened to Roya’s music through good headphones and decent speakers, but there is something about hearing it fill up a space with an excellent sound system that cannot be replicated. She had specially arranged fast-paced beats on her songs for the fest. The packed room didn't have much space for full-bodied dancing/stomping and it was also very early, but the rapt audience enthusiastically bobbed heads in appreciation.
The synths wrapped their arms around me. My tiny, talented friend raised her haunting voice, sending tingles that raced down my spine opposite the beat radiating up from the soles of my feet.
Roya’s set (all links go to her bandcamp page)
After the crowd flowed away, I headed into the main theatre to see if I could find Roya. I did. She was still giddy from her set and I was giddy about seeing her for the first time in seven years. We exchanged brief precis of our lives in the interim, and she introduced me to various Swedes who came up to compliment her.
I went to find a drink. A coke, I discovered cost slightly more than £3. Much as I appreciated the caffeine, I figured there had to be a cheaper way to stay hydrated, and that was how I discovered the marble drinking fountain with the thoughtfully placed array of paper cups placed next to it in the theatre foyer. I downed a few cups before Underviewer’s set started on the main stage.
( A few photos and words. There's even a selfie. )
Skansen is the Swedish cultural museum. It looks from the outside like a children’s amusement park, and it has elements of this in it, but it’s also a buildings museum and a zoo and a showcase for traditional practices of Swedish ethnic groups, like reindeer herding. It has an inexplicable funicular.
Critically, it is also extremely good for shed inspiration.
This Sami dwelling combines all the best things about sheds, treehouses, and log cabins, does it not? Yes please, one of these for my back garden.
( +52 )
Another tram ride carried us back to the Central Station, whereupon I returned to the hotel for a disco nap, so as to be fully prepared for Bodyfest that night.
Critically, it is also extremely good for shed inspiration.
This Sami dwelling combines all the best things about sheds, treehouses, and log cabins, does it not? Yes please, one of these for my back garden.
( +52 )
Another tram ride carried us back to the Central Station, whereupon I returned to the hotel for a disco nap, so as to be fully prepared for Bodyfest that night.
On the afternoon of my arrival in Stockholm, ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cactus_rs met me at a cafe after work so we could have some cheap and tasty risotto followed by a stroll up Sveavagan to the Stockholm Public Library. The building is nice enough from the outside, but it’s the interior that inspires awe. I would give a lot to be reincarnated as this library’s resident cat.
We arrived about 10 minutes before closing, so it was a bit of a mad dash round the place with my camera whilstcactus_rs hunted up a few titles for checkout.
View from the first balcony level toward the big clock. The time reads one minute prior to closing.
( +7 )
I can picture Dreamwidth's resident dragoncat librarian,silveradept, being very happy here indeed.
cactus_rs met me at a cafe after work so we could have some cheap and tasty risotto followed by a stroll up Sveavagan to the Stockholm Public Library. The building is nice enough from the outside, but it’s the interior that inspires awe. I would give a lot to be reincarnated as this library’s resident cat.We arrived about 10 minutes before closing, so it was a bit of a mad dash round the place with my camera whilst
cactus_rs hunted up a few titles for checkout.View from the first balcony level toward the big clock. The time reads one minute prior to closing.
( +7 )
I can picture Dreamwidth's resident dragoncat librarian,
silveradept, being very happy here indeed.
I reached the Bodyfest venue in Stockholm via Tunnelgatan. I didn't have to - Google Maps had certainly suggested I go round it rather than through it - but I'm glad I did. It was a leeetle bit too long, had a sharp bend at one end that meant you couldn't see the light at the end of it, and I could definitely see why it gets shut and locked at 10 PM. There is a sound installation that plays eerie music at you when you reach the midpoint.
This is but one of several hundred photos I need to sort through, but I felt it deserved its own space.
Photos when I get back to the UK but for now, allow me to summarise seeing my old friend Roya play at Bodyfest. It was a privilege and a pleasure and I'm over the moon that I got to be there. I shall treasure the memory.
Hejj! I'm in Stockholm. I'm in a rock bar drinking big strong beers. There is pinball and pool and noisy Swedes also drinking big strong beers. Yay!
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