Attentat, a Gothenburg-based punk-staple, has made a comeback since the hospitalization of lead singer Mats Jönsson. The bands current tour ‘Det blir som det blir’, covers a large part of Sweden with many of the venues being sold out. The Southern leg of the tour ended in Malmö on the 14th of October, at the Pub / Venue Medley.
The small venue was packed with nostalgic fans and a warm energy surrounded the band, who played a set of their old songs, and newly written songs from their past two albums. Attentat’s set combined the best of two worlds, the first generation of Swedish Punk, and a revival of political music in Sweden that has followed a trend within the western music scene.
The evening itself can be seen as an act of defiance: against the current norms within music, and against life itself. Mats Jönsson was hospitalized in the spring of 2022, following a trip to England. Jönsson was put in a medical coma, and diagnosed with blood poisoning, with plans to cut life support due the low chance of recovery. After months in a coma, and days before his planned death, Jönsson woke up. Although there was little hope for his music-career, he struggled and recovered completely. Following this, a tour was announced, and the most recent album was released.
The show began with an opening by the local Malmö band Bloss, a short set of quick energetic songs that served as an introduction to Attentat’s longer and calmer music. The real show began with a mix of both new and old songs by Attentat. The band was engaged with the audience, and they created a close connection which many small, local artists lack. Jönsson, who is known as a football personality outside of music, has released several songs in support of a Gothenburg team, GAIS. Local football rivalries and feuds, however, can be overcome, and the audience sang along with the tribute songs. Attentat’s set reached a climax with their all-time hit, ‘Unga och Många’, Young and Many; a loud and violent song in protest of the norms and politics that the punk movement grew out of.
As mentioned before, the band connected with the audience; the small venue helped with creating an intimate experience. The almost 2 hours of energetic yet calm music did not disappoint. Attentat, with Jönsson in the lead, delivered an excellent show. It was my personal highlight of this autumn; and surpassed all my expectations, both the lively and large audience, and the quality of music and showmanship.
by Erik DP22