Håkan Hellström at Ullevi: Why the magic still lives on today
There are artists, and then there is Håkan Hellström. Gothenburg's pride, the poet of the people, and the man who makes the entire Ullevi stadium shake to its core. Even as the years go by, his songs remain as timeless markers for generations of Swedes. No one else can bare their soul on stage like he does, while simultaneously making 70,000 people feel exactly the same thing.
The night that became legend – June 7, 2014
For those who were there – and for those who wish they had been – the memory of Håkan Hellström at Ullevi on June 7, 2014 still burns bright. It wasn't just a concert; it was a collective heartbeat. When he walked out onto that stage, wearing his signature hat and that look that's both shy and utterly captivating, we knew something magical was about to happen. He truly poured his heart out that night, and the crowd responded with the same raw energy.
The songs we know by heart – "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" (Feel No Sorrow For Me, Gothenburg), "Det kommer aldrig va över för mig" (It Will Never Be Over For Me), and especially "Hela huset" (The Whole House) – echoed around the arena in one massive, unified singalong. It was a reminder of why Håkan Hellström is more than an artist; he's an institution.
Three moments from Ullevi forever etched in memory
- When he sang "En vän med en bil" (A Friend with a Car) and the whole stadium bounced. The ground swayed, people were crying and laughing all at once.
- The guest appearance by none other than Sylvia Vrethammar. A surreal and wonderful duet that only Håkan could pull off.
- The encore that never seemed to end. He left the stage, came back, left again – no one wanted to go home.
What's happened since then?
Since that June evening in 2014, Håkan has continued to surprise. He's released albums, filled Ullevi again (in 2017 and 2022), and shown that he's constantly evolving. But the question many ask is: can he top 2014? Some concerts are so perfect they almost become a burden, but Håkan doesn't seem to care. He does what he's always done – steps onto the stage and gives it his all, whether it's for 50 people at a small venue in Majorna or 70,000 at the national arena.
One of the country's most respected music critics described it as Håkan delivering a "raw spectacle," giving the audience a true insight into the artist's unique essence. It's not about perfection; it's about authenticity. And that's precisely why Håkan Hellström remains relevant. In an age of auto-tune and choreographed pop acts, he stands there with his guitar and his gravelly voice, reminding us that music can actually mean something.
The future? It's already here
Rumors are swirling about new songs, possibly a tour next year. But it almost doesn't matter. Because no matter what Håkan Hellström does next, we know one thing: when he steps onto that stage again, we'll be there. And we'll sing along to every single damn song, from the first note to the last. Because Håkan isn't just an artist. Håkan is Sweden.