SLOW TRAVEL BERLIN
Mando Diao, C-Halle, 8pm

Swedish pop artists are a dime a dozen these days; since ABBA arrived on the scene in the 1970s, the country has given us a steady slew of infectious, melodic pop musicians, ranging from mainstream Ace of Base and Max Martin, all the way to indie artists Peter Bjorn and John and Lykki Li.

But while bubblegum hooks and catchy riffs abound, Swedish music also has a more straightforward rock edge, best represented by bands like Mando Diao. Formed in 1999, the group has steadily built up a following for itself, particularly in Germany. The band’s seventh album, ‘Aelita’, came out in April of this year, and is named after the Russian synthesizer which is featured across the 10 tracks.

And though it wasn’t intentional, the sound of the synth contributes an 80s electronic pop vibe, making tracks like ‘Black Saturday’ and ‘Sweet Wet Dream’ repeat in your head all day long. Natalye Childress

C-Halle, Columbiadamm 13-21, 10965 Berlin; 030 69 81 28 14; U: Platz der Luftbrücke; admission: €44,90.