The idea for the all-star cover band A Whole Lotta Rock—or En jäkla massa rock, in Swedish—was apparently sparked when the band members spotted a poster last summer for En jäkla massa schlager, a show dedicated to Sweden’s bygone pop era. Inspired by that same nostalgic spirit, they swapped out disco strings for power chords, trading sequins for studs.
The Bittersweet State of Mainstream Rock
It’s a funny concept—almost like going to a gourmet restaurant and ordering “one big plate of food, please.” But it also hints at something a little more serious. Just like schlager, rock too is now often treated as a museum piece, something to be revisited rather than revitalised.
While I reject the notion that contemporary rock is dead, it’s clear that nostalgia often takes the front seat when the genre hits the big public stages. Just look at throwback festivals like When We Were Young or the recent farewell tributes to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
That said, nostalgia can be a beautiful thing when handled right—and En jäkla massa rock certainly knew how to make it work.
Swedish Hair Metal Supergroup
This “supergroup” brings together some of the most recognizable names in Swedish glam and hair metal: Christian "Kicken" Lundqvist (The Poodles) on drums, Kee Marcello (Europe) on guitar, Peter London (Crashdïet) on bass, and Love Magnusson (Dynazty) on guitar.
Originally announced keyboardist Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.) was nowhere to be seen, but his absence was more than compensated for by multi-instrumentalist Ellinor “Hellinor” Asp, who added flair and unpredictability to the night. On vocals was the powerhouse Nina Söderquist—known for her stints with Scorpions, Deep Purple, and Europe—who fronted most of the set behind the mic.
Crowd-Friendly Setlist—Heavy on the ’80s Classics
Given the band’s pedigree, it was no surprise that the set leaned heavily on ’80s arena rock staples. From Kiss to AC/DC to Journey, the selection felt familiar—especially for those who’ve caught acts like Metal Allstars or the eternally returning Rydell & Quick on the same stage. But while the songs may have been tried-and-true, the energy was anything but tired.
A Rock Show That Shines—With a Voice to Match
En jäkla massa rock delivered a tight, high-energy show full of passion, precision, and personality. The band clearly enjoyed themselves, and that joy rippled through the crowd. Big props especially to lead vocalist Nina Söderquist, who wasn’t just shining in her sparkly outfit—she was a burst of positive energy, a joyful presence who made such a charismatic and compelling front for the band.
Having female vocals was a smart choice as well—it gave the songs a fresh identity instead of simply trying to carbon-copy the originals, most of which were performed by male vocalists.
Accordion + Rammstein = Night’s Biggest Surprise
The standout moment of the evening came when Hellinor traded her keyboard for an accordion and dove into a bizarrely brilliant version of Rammstein’s Du Hast. Her blend of falsetto vocals, growls, and folk-instrument theatrics turned the heavy industrial hit into something wholly unique. If you thought Rydell & Quick’s saxophone take on the same song was wild, this version took things to another level entirely. It was the kind of surprise that proves there’s still room for experimentation—even in a cover band.
Rock’s Unfortunate Position as a Retro Genre
As for the setlist, the only song from this millennium was Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life (from 2000)—a detail that circles back to my earlier point about how rarely modern rock finds its way into shows like this.
That’s not to say great rock isn’t being made—far from it. Just beneath the mainstream, there’s an explosion of exciting new bands. It’s just a shame that major public events rarely give them space to shine, aside from the local acts relegated to opening slots. When “rock night” consistently means reliving hits from four decades ago, it risks reinforcing the false idea that the genre’s best days are behind it—which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Still, There’s Nothing Like a Great Rock Night
Despite that lingering thought, the night was a blast — and a joy to photograph, too. Big rock shows always gets the adrenaline going. Wandering through the backstage area to reach the pit before showtime — with Kicken himself casually strolling by — was a pretty cool moment in it’s own right.
The square was packed, the crowd was buzzing, and if you’re a fan of big choruses and bigger guitar solos, there was plenty to enjoy. En jäkla massa rock may have drawn heavily from the past, but they did so with style, power, and affection — and sometimes, that’s exactly what a summer night calls for.
Setlist (Partial)
The band reportedly played 15 songs in total. I had to leave early and missed the final few, but here are the ones I caught during the show:
- I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Kiss, 1979)
- Sweet Child o' Mine (Guns N’ Roses, 1987)
- It’s My Life (Bon Jovi, 2000)
- Superstitious (Europe, 1988)
- Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey, 1981)
- Du Hast (Rammstein, 1997)
- Radio Ga Ga (Queen, 1984)
- You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC, 1980)
- Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions, 1984)
- Ace of Spades (Motörhead, 1980)
This show was shot with
Wider Shots
- Camera: Sony a7 III
- Lens: Tamron 28-75/f2.8
Close-Ups
- Camera: Sony a7R II
- Lens: Tamron 70-180/f2.8
More Concert Photos
