Smukfest 2025: From Triumph to Disappointment on Friday
Friday at Smukfest 2025 in Denmark offered a colourful mix of musical highs and lows. While some artists sent the audience into ecstasy, others missed their chances at the acclaimed festival. From promising newcomers to established names, the day delivered stories that will be remembered for a long time.
Kalaset – the beautiful young people
Kalaset is a group of very young people who managed to rise from the dust of the Danish lockdown. Despite their short existence, they have already won several awards.
And when you’re at a Kalaset concert, it all makes perfect sense! They have a presence that can’t be mistaken. Possibly Denmark’s best-dressed band took the stage with energy, confidence, and plenty of sound!
The crowd gathered well before the concert began, and it only grew larger when “Riv i mit hår” was played as the opening song. People came running. Some had sprinted from the tents at ‘Kærligheden’ and arrived out of breath just in time, while others hadn’t even known they were playing but stopped dead in their tracks – this was something they had to hear.
And Kalaset did not disappoint. Lead singer Morten Holm Ørsager went all out, flying around the stage and giving the audience exactly what they wanted. His voice and that of Sidsel Due were spot on. It was a joy to see the young musicians perform at such a high level.
Aqua – Lene ‘alone’ on stage
What a disappointment Aqua was. Lene might as well have gone on tour alone. That probably would have been the better option compared to what we saw at Smukfest. Søren stared intensely down at his keyboard. No presence, no energy. At least he did his job. René, on the other hand, seemed more interested in posing for photographers and the young fans in the front row than in singing the songs. Either he had forgotten the lyrics, or he had forgotten how to use a microphone. Completely hopeless!
Lene, by contrast, was everything she should have been. Smiling, engaged, and enjoying herself with the backup dancers. Her voice was unmistakable – it was Aqua’s Lene standing on that stage. She did her best to hold the band together and deliver something resembling a concert. It didn’t quite succeed, but luckily, she was strong enough to carry herself.
The setlist was almost as hopeless as René’s self-control that day. “Back to the 80’s” would have worked far better in the middle of the set, when we all needed a breather after a strong performance. Instead, it was the opener. And that set the tone. Next time, we’d rather see Lene alone on stage.
Humleridderne – the old boys
The boys – or by now, the men – from Humleridderne may have grown older, but by no means duller. Quite the opposite. They once again showed why they are one of Smukfest’s most beloved names. From the very first chord, it was full throttle, and the audience was thrown straight into a party where sing-alongs, laughter, and beer went hand in hand.
The band enjoys itself on stage, and that energy is contagious. Beers were flying, jokes came one after another, and the audience felt like part of one giant party rather than just a concert. That’s the magic of Humleridderne: they create an atmosphere that feels informal, fun, and inclusive – like being at a wild private party with thousands of friends.
The conclusion is simple: Humleridderne still deliver the party like no one else, and Smukfest just wouldn’t be the same without them. Clearly, the festival’s best concert, delivered by a Danish group!
Hugorm – show-toppers!
Hugorm delivered an insanely great show at Smukfest 2025 – and yes, it was a show, not just a concert. From the first beat, it was full blast, and the audience was swept straight into an intense energy where everything hit the mark. It was wild, it was raw, and at the same time controlled – almost perfect.
Simon Kvamm and the band managed to create an experience where music, lights, and attitude melted together into one. You weren’t just listening; you were part of a collective rush where the bass could be felt deep in your bones. Hugorm had the crowd in the palm of their hand, and there was no resisting being carried away.
All in all, it was one of those experiences you remember for a long time – Smukfest was transformed into a pulsating inferno of sound, light, and pure joy. Hugorm = magic. And we all know Simon. So it probably won’t be long before it’s the last chance to see Hugorm live – hurry to a concert! It’s worth every second!
Photos (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen
