Stockholm gets a new cultural scene: "Bananas go out and culture in"

The live scene boom in Stockholm continues to grow with three new stages.

In June, BK opens in the old Banankompaniet building, which was built in Frihamnen almost 100 years ago.

It was the heritage-listed building's "castle-like character" that attracted the organizers to the site.

- This premises must be opened up to the public, then the conditions are very good: we have an old production company that will continue to be a production company.

But we switch a bit: the bananas go out and the culture goes in, says Martin Lagerberg to SVT.

The hope is that the scene will attract more bars and restaurants to the area.

Three stages of different sizes

The business is expected to run, at least during the summer, on energy from solar cells on the roof.

The venue will have three stages – a main stage for 3,700 spectators, a middle stage for 900 and the smallest for an audience of 500.

The target group is young adults, and the main focus is concerts, clubs and the occasional festival.

- We can build concerts that are more intimate, you get closer to the artist, says Martin Lagerberg.

It has opened a number of live stages in Stockholm lately, is there a risk that there will be too many?

- No, I don't think so, there has been a lack of scenes.

I hope that with new stages we can attract more artists to Stockholm, and contribute to expanding the range of concerts.

Part of nightlife strategy

The building is rented out by the City of Stockholm, which since 2021 has a pronounced nightlife strategy.

City councilor Torun Boucher (V) took office last autumn and will take the strategy further - but there are challenges.

- Finding premises that cultural practitioners can afford to rent is the biggest challenge, and it has been for a long time, she says.

But culture can also be a wise investment for a city, according to finance councilor Karin Wanngård (S):

- The whole society rests on the fact that we have a free and rich cultural life.

All that also benefits other industries and that is what makes us finally and apparently have a living city.