By Anastasia Baranovskaia
As the crisp September air marks the arrival of autumn, it also signals the end of another season of concerts at Gröna Lund. The summer’s final performance came with a sense of anticipation as fans gathered for Thomas Stenström’s tour-closing show, eager to experience the finale of his Superlativ Tour.
For Stenström, this night was more than just another gig. It was a return to the very stage where, in 2022, he had suffered a dramatic injury that left him with a broken foot. Now, back at Gröna Lund on Friday night, Stenström faced the crowd with a cheeky nod to the past, lifting his foot and saying, “It was worth it!”
Having recently won Artist of the Year at the Swedish Grammis, he lived up to his reputation as one of Sweden’s most beloved and energetic performers. The night’s highlight came as the crowd sang along in unison to hits like “Ser du månen där du är ikväll,” “Slå mig hårt I ansiktet,” and “Andas in andas ut.”
One particularly special moment was his performance of “Forever Young” as he sang, “Stockholm håller andan, till tonen av Forever Young” (meaning “Stockholm holds its breath, to the tune of Forever Young”)—a lyric that resonated with the Stockholm crowd. During the night, he also brought out the artist Hurula, who joined Stenström for “Hålla tillbaks.”
The concert seamlessly moved between intimate moments—Stenström alone on stage with his guitar—and full-band arrangements, each backed by a light show that enhanced the evening’s atmosphere. He frequently spoke to the crowd, at times walking alongside the barricades, making it a personal and engaging experience for those in attendance.
In the end, it was a fitting conclusion to a tour that celebrated not only Stenström’s music but also his unique ability to connect with his fans.
