Did you guess right? It’s Spil Dansk Day – “Play Danish Music” Day! Umm, you don’t know what that is? Then here’s a piece I wrote last year, updated for your listening pleasure. Read on, sing loud and don’t forget to turn the (Danish) music up to 11! 😉
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Yes, it’s the last Thursday in October which – selvfølgelig – means that it’s Spil Dansk or “Play Danish Music” Day! The day when Danish music is played, performed, promoted and celebrated. Which means that radio stations play Danish music. All. Day. Long. Danish bands who sing in Danish. Danish bands who sing in English. Music produced by Danes. Music written by Danes for other artists. Anything and everything with a Danish connection. A whopping half million Danes – at home, work, in their cars, schools or old people’s homes – will tune in to radio station P4 between 11 and 11.30 am for a live singalong of old and new Danish classics.
But maybe you’d rather catch some live music out in the streets? You’re in luck! There are over one thousand events and concerts all over Denmark today. If you want to find out what’s happening near you, the official Spil Dansk websitehas a nifty event finder, just click here.
Last yearon the blog I wrote about some of my Danish music faves anno 2011 – Magtens Korridorer, Whomadewho and When Saints Go Machine.
Here are a few of the bands you’re likely to hear if you listen in to the main national radio channel, P3…
Magtens Korridorer Veto Turbo Weekend Whomadewho Søren Huss The Blue Van Medina Burhan G Fallulah The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Spleen United I Got You on Tape Choir of Young Believers (remember The Bridge/Bron/Broen?) When Saints Go Machine The William Blakes Nabiha Specktors L.O.C. Ida Corr Nephew Rasmus Seebach Aura Dione Shaka Loveless Alphabeat Tina Dickow Efterklang Lukas Graham Quadron Pharfar Djämes Braun Christopher Burhan G Ulige Numre MØ Kashmir Julias Moon The Mountains Ukendt Kunstner The Raveonettes The Floor is Made of Lava Klumben Lucy Love KIDD
Meanwhile I’d like to leave you with a little masterpiece by my all time favourite Danish rock band…those little sweeties Magtens Korridorer (nominated – again, again, again – for the Danish Music Awards) !
Spil Dansk! And don’t forget to turn the stereo up to 11!
Diane
Hi Diane! Love your blog. I started listening to Volbeat in 2011 and since then I fell in love with everything that has to do with Denmark. I'm even learning dansk by myself!
After a while, I discovered Magtens Korridorer and LOOOOOVED it. I listen to it everyday and reading the lyrics has surely helped get familiar with words. It's a great place to start. Anyway, I need more bands to love that sing in Danish but they're hard to find. My favorite music is metal/rockabilly (Volbeat ;)) and Magtens' style, so could you recommend other bands for me please?
It's hard to find because most of them sing in English. I get all excited over nothing 🙁
I can't wait to visit Denmark soon, but I'm going to try to get fluent before I go and make the experience even better 🙂
xx
Candy (Argentina)
Hi Candy! Off the top of my head – in the rock genre – you might want to check out Ulige Numre, Dig & Mig and Nephew (though avoid the English songs Nephew have made…). And old bands like Gasolin and TV2. And if you want to cast your net a bit wider, then try Specktors, Klumben, Jooks and Malk De Koijn. Good luck – pøj pøj! 🙂
hi could you please change the color of the font from sticklight green to a color one can actually read?
thanks in advance,
Best Regards ofir
It's part of the Denmark 'theme' – I find it hard to read too! Will contact the Denmark.dk administrators and let's cross our fingers! 🙂