19 Swedish Bands and Music Artists to Follow in 2023

When it comes to music, many people around the world are passionate about Swedish music. The country has a long-standing tradition of producing some of the most acclaimed and beloved bands in pop and rock, with ABBA being one of the most famous acts of all time.

But why is Sweden such an influential force in the global music scene?

One likely reason is that it’s home to a wide variety of talented musicians who bring their own unique styles to their performances and songwriting.

In this article, we will highlight some of the hottest name in music coming out of Sweden.

Top Music Artists and Bands from Sweden

From folk groups like Väsen and Garmarna to synth-pop innovators like Robyn and The Knife, there’s something for everyone from Sweden. Let’s view the full list below.

ABBA

One of the most beloved and successful Swedish bands in history is ABBA, who rose to fame in the 1970s with their hit songs like “Dancing Queen”, “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, and “Take a Chance on Me”. Led by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, ABBA combined pop music with elements of funk and disco to become one of the top selling musical acts ever.

Their legacy lives on through shows such as Mamma Mia! The Musical and Movies based on their songs.

Agnetha Fältskog

Agnetha Fältskog was the lead singer of ABBA and is one of the most iconic Swedish female singers in history. She had a successful solo career after ABBA disbanded and sold over 50 million records worldwide.

In addition to her singing, Fältskog also wrote her own songs, composed music for films, and acted on stage and screen.

Robyn

Robyn is one of Sweden’s most popular contemporary musicians and has been releasing chart-topping albums since the mid-1990s. Her style blends elements of electronica, pop, R&B, hip hop, and soul with lyrics that are both socially conscious and emotionally resonant.

Robyn has won multiple awards for her songwriting talent, including two Swedish Grammys.

Europe

Formed in Upplands Väsby, Sweden in 1979, Europe rose to global fame during the 80s with their hit single “The Final Countdown” and follow-up albums Wings of Tomorrow and Out of This World.

The band combined elements of glam metal, hard rock, and heavy metal to create a unique sound that influenced many other artists. They are still active today.

Opeth

Hailing from Stockholm, Opeth is one of Sweden’s most famous metal bands. Formed in 1990 by vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and bassist Johan DeFarfalla, the group has gone on to release 11 studio albums, combining progressive metal with elements of blues and folk.

They have achieved worldwide success and are considered one of the most influential bands in their genre.

In Flames

One of Sweden’s biggest heavy metal acts is In Flames, who formed in Gothenburg in 1990. Their music blends traditional Scandinavian melodic death metal with alternative rock influences to create an instantly recognizable sound.

The band has released twelve studio albums as well as several EPs and live recordings, selling over two million records worldwide.

The Hives

The Hives are a punk rock/garage rock outfit from Fagersta that has been making music since 1993. With their upbeat music and energetic live shows, they quickly rose to fame in the late 90s, gaining attention from both domestic and international audiences.

Over the course of their career, they have released five studio albums and one live album.

Ace of Base

Formed in Gothenburg in 1990, Ace of Base is one of the most successful Swedish acts from the 90s, with their hit singles “The Sign” and “All That She Wants” taking the world by storm.

The band combined pop music with elements of reggae and dancehall to create an infectious sound that was embraced by audiences worldwide.

They had a string of hits throughout the 90s before going on hiatus in 2006.

Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth is a melodic death metal band from Tumba that has been active since 1992. The band’s lyrics are based on Norse mythology and Viking history, which has helped to make them one of the most popular bands in their genre worldwide.

They have released nine full-length albums and numerous EPs, selling over 8 million records globally.

Meshuggah

Meshuggah is a progressive metal/djent act that formed in Umeå in 1987. Their unique blend of technical musicianship and experimental soundscapes has created a distinctive style that has influenced many other bands.

They have released eight studio albums, two live recordings, and several singles, selling over three million records in total.

Refused

Refused is an influential hardcore punk band from Umeå that was active from 1991 until 1998. Their music combined hard-hitting rhythms with political lyrics, making them a favorite of both fans and critics alike.

They have released several albums as well as numerous EPs and singles, and their influence can still be heard in many modern punk acts.

Arch Enemy

Arch Enemy is a melodic death metal group that formed in Halmstad in 1995. Led by vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, the band has released nine studio albums over the years.

With music ranging from aggressive to melodic soundscapes, which have earned them international acclaim and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

Roxette

Roxette is a pop duo from Halmstad that has been active since 1986. Comprised of vocalist Marie Fredriksson and guitarist/vocalist Per Gessle, they have had an impressive string of hits over the years with songs such as “Listen to Your Heart” and “It Must Have Been Love”.

They have released 11 studio albums, selling over 60 million records worldwide.

Dada Life

Dada Life is an electronic music duo from Stockholm that was formed in 2006 by Olof Cornéer and Stefan Engblom. Inspired by classic house and techno sounds, their music combines bouncy beats with catchy hooks to create a unique sound that can be heard in clubs and festivals around the world.

They have released three studio albums as well as several EPs and singles, selling over 3 million records.

Sebastian Ingrosso

Sebastian Ingrosso is a DJ and producer from Stockholm who has been making music since 1997. He is best known for his contribution to the Swedish House Mafia, but he has also released many solo tracks that have become popular with electronic music fans worldwide.

His music blends classic house sounds with modern production techniques, creating an instantly recognizable sound.

The Cardigans

The Cardigans are a pop rock band from Jönköping that first formed in 1992 and quickly became one of Sweden’s most popular bands. Led by vocalist Nina Persson, they have had a string of hits with their unique blend of pop and rock sounds.

They have released seven studio albums in total, selling over 15 million records worldwide.

The Hellacopters

The Hellacopters are a garage rock/punk band from Stockholm that has been active since 1994. Led by singer/guitarist Nicke Andersson, the band found success through high-energy live performances and hard-hitting songs such as “ Hopeless Case of a Kid in Denial”.

They have released five studio albums before going on hiatus in 2008.

José González

José González is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Gothenburg who has been active since 2003. His music combines melancholic melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a unique sound that has resonated with fans all around the world.

He has released four solo albums, selling over 3 million copies in total.

Steve Angello

Steve Angello is an electronic music producer and DJ from Stockholm who first gained recognition as part of Swedish House Mafia in 2010.

Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most popular artists in EDM, releasing several solo albums and singles that have sold over 10 million records worldwide. His music blends elements of house and techno with progressive beats and infectious grooves.

Entombed

Entombed is a death metal/hardcore punk band from Stockholm that formed in 1987. They were one of the first bands to take influence from the “buzzsaw” guitar sound of early thrash metal bands, which they combined with intense vocals and hard-hitting rhythms. They have released eleven studio albums up until 1998, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Peter Bjorn and John

Peter Bjorn and John are an indie rock band from Stockholm that formed in 1999. Fronted by singer/songwriter Peter Morén, they gained international success with their hit single “Young Folks” in 2006. Their music combines catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics to create a unique sound that has resonated with fans all around the world. They have released nine studio albums, selling over 4 million records in total.

Swedish Bands and Music Artists Going Global

By looking at these Swedish bands, it is clear that Sweden has been an incubator for some of the most influential and successful musical acts in recent memory.

Whether you’re into classic rock, EDM, or something in between, Sweden is sure to have a band that you can enjoy listening to. With so many great artists coming from such a small country, it’s no wonder why Sweden is known as one