Aarhus was buzzing with musical curiosity as SPOT Festival 2025 opened with a day that embraced everything from sensitive pop to experimental jazz and raw metal. The audience was greeted by a wide palette of new names, and if one thing was clear: the Danish music scene is not at a standstill -- it's bubbling.
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Disclaimer: Apropos Magazine received access or a review copy. As always, we share our own impressions — unfiltered.
Six stars
The day started solidly in The Raw Hall, where Mad Magpie and Absurd delivered energetic openings. Following this, the afternoon featured several strong names such as Simone Tang, whose vocals and minimalist sound created a quiet magic, and Downtown July, who impressed with well-produced, melancholic pop.
Shebaba — A Musical Power Performance
Shebaba was the big surprise of the evening. With a sound that elegantly combined soul, funk and electronic elements, they mesmerized audiences with both groove and nerve. Everything was delivered with a stage energy that made the concert one of the most danceable and memorable of the day.
Gunge — Pop with Brutal Honesty
Gunge, aka Ida Gunge, hit a different register of emotions. Her Danish lyrics revolved around the rootlessness and emotional chaos of her youth, and her strong vocals and intense appearance created a concert that was both hard-hitting and beautiful. Numbers like Ambulance established that Gunge is one of the strongest new voices on the scene.
Ahead — Explosive jazz-hip hop with attitude
Ahead created a party in the Greenhouse. With five rappers, live instrumentation and scratch from DJ's, they delivered a set that was chaotic in the cool way. The audience was there all the way — both the curious and the dancing. It was a highlight that summed up everything SPOT is about: energy, courage and something new.
Fine and the dignified ending
Fine finished the day in the Store Hall with a performance that was equal parts sensitive and magnificent. A dignified end to a day when the new and untested showed itself from its best side.
In reality...
SPOT Festival 2025's first day proved once again why the festival is one of the country's most important platforms for new music. With strong names such as Shebaba, Gunge and Ahead, as well as a general willingness to experiment, the day became a success both artistically and atmospherically.
