Stabbings, drugs, and electro-rave music − oh my! Swedish House Mafia have certainly attracted a ‘party hard, rage harder’ reputation. But, after four years and an astronomical rise to the top of dance charts, the trio from Stockholm are calling it quits with a farewell tour, appropriately called ‘One Last Tour’. The group has amassed a giant following of headbangers and moshers alike, and their music has been a curated mixture of original songs, collaborations, and remixes that have become cult favourites in clubs over the years. The DJs − Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso − released their final album, Until Now, this past week, and it will be the soundtrack to ‘One Last Tour’. On their website, Swedish House Mafia announced: “We came, we raved, we loved.” Come out to Forum Copenhagen on November 26 and see one of the craziest bands in recent years deliver what this trio promise will be one of the “best shows of our lives”. Tickets range from 570-970kr at billetlugen.dk.
In the mood for something a little less headache-inducing? Try Gotye. The last stop on his European tour is Copenhagen and the Belgian-Australian solo-artist is known for his melodic and mellow voice, likened to Peter Gabriel and Sting. Since 2002, he has produced independent studio albums, but it wasn’t until 2011 that Gotye truly made his mark with the insanely catchy song ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ − the one everybody loved to hate. It stayed in Denmark’s #1 spot for seven weeks and won 
a handful of impressive awards and even more nominations. Don’t treat Gotye like a stranger and get your tickets for his show on November 21 at Falconer Salen. They’re selling for 380kr at billetlugen.dk.
Even more soothing is Kenny Barron on the piano. His musical career began as a teenager when he would play along with Mel Melvin’s orchestra, and he continued to work his way up to be called “one of the top jazz pianists in the world”. Renowned for a lyrical, soulful, bebop style, Barron has played with a plethora of greats and was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005. He returns to Jazzhus Montmartre where he has played with both his quartet and trio to a jazz-hungry crowd. On two nights − November 28 and 29 − a solo Kenny Barron will play to an intimate crowd. Tickets are still available to join Barron and his piano for 350kr at billetlugen.dk. Students receive a 50 percent discount at the door.
Equally jazzy − and maybe also a little funky − is The Secret Jazz House Society Orchestra. They’ve graced the stage at Jazz House before to a plethora of admiration, and you have the chance to see them performing great hits one more time. The group’s love for jazz is nearly tangible, and the line-up includes old tracks and live jazz. The numbers will be sure to get your toes tapping. Get tickets to their show at Jazz House on November 23 for 90kr through www.billetlugen.dk.
The theatre can be just as classy as an evening of jazz, but get ready to blush with this performance. “The year’s most revealing musical” reveals itself to Copenhagen’s Teatret Gorgerne, and it’s a must-see. The Full Monty follows the story of six ordinary, unemployed men in a small industrial city in England who have no prospects. Instead of sulking in their misfortunes, the men decide to choreograph a strip act for a local strip club, and you will certainly see the rest. The Full Monty is playing on various days from November 23 until December 1, and tickets range from 230-365 kr through billetlugen.dk.
England is only one of the many international inspirations behind the music of Helsinki Poetry. The Finnish group utilise different cities around the world and create intricate and layered electronic music centred around those cities. Songs like ‘Manchester’ evoke a mood similar to the lulling guitar of Bon Iver mixed with the raw voice of Arcade Fire. ‘Marseille’ has more electronic, “noise-poppy” sounds, while ‘Marrakech’ brings to mind a dramatic fairy-tale. A hit at this past Roskilde Festival, Helsinki Poetry is sure to make you feel like an international traveller at their show in Christiania on November 22. Tickets are 80kr through www.billetlugen.dk.
Get transported to the ‘80s with another Scandinavian group, Alphabeat. This Danish band excel in upbeat, spunky songs that make it difficult to resist the urge to dance. Songs like ‘Boyfriend’ and ‘Fascination’ have led to Alphabeat’s top-chart status in Denmark while also making a name for themselves in the rest of Europe. They released their latest album, Express Non-Stop, this past August, and they’ve been making their fans smile and dance non-stop since. Don’t miss the chance to dance to some of the poppiest music out there on December 1 at Store Vega. Tickets are 245kr through billetnet.dk.
Store Vega has another secret, but we’re letting you in on it: Gossip are coming to Copenhagen. The indie band from America have gained both popularity and infamy thanks to their outspoken lead singer Beth Ditto. Her soulful voice is paired with a brash attitude. “Our mission is to make you dance,” Ditto has said. “And if you’re not gonna dance, just stay at home and listen to the oldies station.” No-one wants that. Gossip will make you dance all night long on November 15 at Store Vega, so get your tickets for 270kr at billetlugen.dk before you’re stuck listening to Roy Orbison or Buddy Holly.
