Swedish House Mafia's free concert brings Beethoven to the masses

What began as a disappointment for thousands of fans turned into an unexpected cultural moment in Gothenburg. Swedish House Mafia, forced to cancel their Friday stadium concert at Ullevi due to severe thunderstorms, offered a free performance on Avenyn the following day.

The impromptu concert, held on Saturday afternoon, served as compensation for the canceled show. Despite persistent rain and wind, an estimated 30,000 fans flocked to the city's main boulevard, transforming it into a vibrant gathering place. Many attendees sported merchandise from the EDM group, embracing the "I was there" sentiment.

Before the main act, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Nino Rota, took the stage. They performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, an unusual offering for an audience primarily gathered for electronic dance music. This unique pairing, however, positioned the orchestra and the classical composer as unlikely winners of the day.

As Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello finally took the stage, the crowd erupted. Although the Avenyn performance lacked the scale of a stadium laser show, the anticipation built from the canceled event added a special energy. The sight of young children on their parents' shoulders, wearing hearing protection, indicated that Swedish House Mafia was successfully engaging a new generation, while the symphony orchestra gained exposure to a different audience.

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The main winner, perhaps, was the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, writes DN's Mina Asp Romefors.