Culture / Society

This Swedish tribute band awakens national treasure Bellman from beyond

By Allyson Shiffman

Jockum Nordström wears satin suit jacket, €670, Satin suit trousers, €370, Cotton organza shirt, €350. All Acne Studios. All jewellery. Talent’s own. Loafers. Via Independent Kostym. Photo: Kristian Bengtsson

The star of playground jokes and drinking songs, Carl Michael Bellman is deeply embedded in the collective Swedish consciousness. A prolific poet and musician who regaled King Gustav III in the late 1700s, Bellman’s influence is still deeply felt – so much so that we were inspired to put together our very own Bellman tribute band starring two modern day renaissance men: musician Jocke Åhlund and artist Jockum Nordström. Here, the band prepares for their first and only performance at Bellman’s old haunt Den Gyldene Freden