Finding the next generation of Danish talent at SPOT Festival
Meet Tripolism, Carlina de Place, Emily Bowen, SLIM0 and Dork – five incredible artists from Denmark ready to break the world.
Celebrating its thirtieth birthday this May, SPOT Festival in Denmark’s long reign is a testament to the quality of homegrown talent and to the country’s fertile creative scene within Scandinavia and beyond.
Taking place in the country's second city of Aarhus, SPOT has become a gathering point for new Danish and Nordic music – as well as the wider music industry, who gather for the SPOT+ conference, connecting delegates from the Danish music industry to their international counterparts and beyond.
Ahead of the event this week, SPOT's curators have chosen five of the programme's most exciting artists – read on to find out why, and learn more about the new gen of Danish talent, in their own words.
Tripolism
Copenhagen’s Tripolism is quickly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting new names within the genre. They create an infectious blend of house, disco, and techno — all elevated by their signature vocals and an irresistible sense of feel-good energy — Tripolism has created a sound that is both distinct and internationally appealing. With a sound that connects effortlessly across borders, Tripolism is a prime example of Denmark’s dynamic new wave of electronic talent ready for the world stage. Their feel-good anthems, proven radio appeal, and global-ready productions make them a clear standout for the international scenes, which which they are already making their mark on, lately with performances at Coachella.
On their origins
Bryn grew up in Reykjavik until he was 9, then swapped volcanoes for suburban life in Farum, Denmark. Only good memories and good friends from there! Rasmus and Frederik are from Holstebro - a cozy town famous for culture, handball (?!), and a nightlife so non-existent that we basically had no choice but to start making our own parties.
Bryn got his first taste of music-making with the legendary software “Dance-Ejay” at the age of 11. Life was never the same after that!
Fred and Ras bonded over a mutual love for electronic music, so they started throwing underground parties - and eventually stumbled across Brynjar in the Copenhagen DJ scene. True love.
On their sound
Imagine if the Bee Gees woke up in 2025, went to a rave, got emotional, and decided to make house music. That’s us. Somewhere between feel-good house, indie dance, and whatever genre you invent at 4AM when you’re too happy to care.
On their influences
Trentemøller taught us that being nerdy about sound design is actually cool. And we all grew up loving the freedom and euphoria of 70’s disco and 90’s rave - back when people just danced their souls out without filming it. That’s still the vibe we aim for. If you can dance until sunrise with a dumb smile on your face, we’ve done our job.
On the Danish music scene
Copenhagen’s electronic scene is punching way above its weight these days. Names like WhoMadeWho, Nandu, Denis Horvat, Kölsch - and now also us - are lighting up stages all over the world. It’s pretty wild when you think about it: a tiny rainy city full of bicycles and grumpy people in black clothes somehow exporting some of the happiest dance floors out there. We’re proud to be part of that madness.
Who else at SPOT they're excited to see
Honestly, we’ve been on tour for so long we haven’t even unpacked our brains yet. But SPOT was always the place where we discovered new favourites when we were younger, so we’re just excited to dive headfirst into a bunch of new Danish music. Bring it on.
What we expect from their live show
Expect to dance!!!
The greatest misconception they thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
That we’re cold and reserved. Get us talking (drinking) …
Carlina de Place
Carlina de Place may be a new name to many, but she’s already featured on some of the world’s biggest playlists and made her live debut last year at an exclusive Spotify showcase at BY:LARM in Oslo. She brings an exciting twist to the fusion of organic singer-songwriter vibes and R&B, which sets her apart from others in the genre.
On her origins
I grew up in central Copenhagen with my two parents and older sister. Growing up in Copenhagen as a kid and young adult was amazing. The beautiful city and surroundings is something I've come to appreciate much more as I get older. Even though I dream about going out into the big world, Denmark and Copenhagen will always be home, and somewhere I feel safe and seen.
Already from a pretty young age, I was fascinated with the arts and performance. Being able to express myself creatively through singing and songwriting was that outlet in my personal life I needed. I come from a pretty creative family, my dad is a carpenter and my mom is a photographer, and they've always enabled me to pursue what i truly loved in life. Since I was about 10 years old, music has always been a huge part of my identity. So I started playing in school bands, performing or writing my own songs. I even used to sneak into other schools, pretending I was a student, just so I could join their jam nights.
I think I was 15 when I saved up money to buy my own little recording setup, and I began producing my songs. First year of danish highschool (16 years old), I knew that music and songwriting was what i wanted to do in life, and I decided, with permission from my parents, to drop out of school and go all in on my dream. I didn’t know anything about the industry at the time, the only thing I had was a dream and some pretty rough demos in one folder.
Not too long after I dropped out of school, I got accepted into two different musical courses; MGK (a program you can attend for 3 years, before attending the Music Conservatory of Copenhagen) and SheCanPlay (a one year program for young girls that provides workshops with established musicians and industry people).
Already the first day at a SheCanPlay camp I met Morten “Rissi” Ristorp. It was one of those moments I look back on now that I find so fascinating. We met, talked, and I remember thinking to myself that this was someone who knew music in a way that just inspired me, not even knowing the career he had and the works he had done previously. The connection we made that day sparked a whole new light in me as a young aspiring artist, and a month later his team reached out wanting to work!
I was so excited and honored. And then from that day on, it's been a musical partnership between me and him and the team we've built around it, that has so much meaning to me. The music we’ve created, even with a distance since he lives in Los Angeles, has been magical, and the journey we’re on couldn’t make me more excited for the future!
On her sound
I think genre wise I would say that it’s pop music with a hint of folk and r&b. A perfect mixture of different organic sounds, with a big focus on storytelling and songwriting. I would love to give the audience an experience of pure emotion and honesty. A break from everyday life where you can let yourself feel.
On her influences
I grew up listening to a lot of different music, and my dad from an early age introduced me to legends like Bob Dylan, Van Morrisson and Joni Mitchell. As you can probably tell, my dads taste in music always had the theme of great songwriting, storytelling and organic productions. At the same time, he was also the one person in my life, who introduced me to artists like Mac Miller, Frank Ocean and Yebba. So a very broad range of musicians.
A majority of my extended family is Canadian, and very musically interested, so growing up getting to travel every year to see them, made me curious about the big world. I think that this also made me more intrigued about the Northern American music scene. Also a big reason I chose to write in english.
So I think my dad would be the answer to this. He's also always the first to hear everything I make, and I trust his opinion with all my heart.
On the Danish music scene
I’m very excited about the music scene right now. I feel like there's a lot of new artists coming to light. It’s an exciting time to be surrounded by so many creatives. I’m also very happy to see more women and young girls performing on big stages, and I think there’s been a shift on how we view and respect creatives in general where I’m from. The music scene is small but great! And I’m so stoked to be a part of it!
Who else at SPOT she's excited to see
This year especially has some very cool and exciting bands and artists playing. I think artists like DEEJADE, ORA, Ella Augusta and Mekdes are some out of many I’m very excited to see perform!
What we can expect from her live show at SPOT
Since this is the first time performing with a full band, you can expect a cohesive journey throughout the whole set. The dynamics between the very organic and stripped songs, and the more uptempo ones. This year I’m also really excited to introduce some unreleased songs on stage. I wanna give the audience my all and I hope that my songs and our performance goes straight into their hearts.
The greatest misconception she thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
From my own experience I know many people think we’re reserved and shy, but I think in reality we’re some of the funniest and open people out there! Just come visit during summertime, then people are super nice! Every other season it's pretty bad.
When it comes to music, I’m not sure but maybe there’s a misconception on how driven we are. I think some of the most talented and motivated people I've met musically have been Danish. There are really some interesting projects out there that I think the world has to hear!
Emily Bowen
Despite being only 20 years old, Emily Bowen has released a debut album, Hate Me For This, that radiates dedication and uncompromising, innovative musical play. Within the indie pop genre, she’s a talent with potential for both the Danish and international scenes.
On her origins
I grew up in the suburbs just outside of Copenhagen —those laid back pockets that really set the scene for a classic Danish childhood. Long winters meant riding our bikes to school in the dark and coming back home—still in the dark. But then summer would come, and the days felt endless, like perpetual daytime. I’d spend those finding new trails in the forest. Later, we’d go there to have bonfires and drink wine coolers.
I had a lot of freedom from early on. I’d take the train into the city by myself and started performing in theatres when I was around eight. Copenhagen is such a fun place when you’re young and creative. It’s vibrant, full of culture, and kind of intimidating at the same time. But I never felt far from the people doing the things I dreamed of doing—they were just there, at the same coffee shops. So I just thought, fuck it, and tried to get to know everyone.
I'd say I learnt to listen to music before I had any ideas of making my own. I was put in dance classes when I was two, and that shaped a huge part of my life for fifteen years. That’s where I first understood how music feels in your body--how different rhythm and style can move you. In school I was intuitively drawn to writing and enjoyed experimenting with words. I’d come up with little songs on my bike ride home and eventually started writing them down in a notebook my big brother gave me for Christmas. Around that time, I was also working in theatre and picking up what I could from the adult professionals around me - especially when it came to music. One older colleague told me to buy a MIDI keyboard which at the time was just a strange word but it totally opened up my world to composing and creating.
From seventh grade on we were given full days in the music room to play in bands and learn instruments, and from that point forward there wasn't a part of my life or my friendships that wasn't centered around playing or writing music. The smartest thing I ever did was finding a community of like minded people and learning to share our individual work with each other. There is no way to skip the part where you aren't very good, it's just about finding the right people to grow with
On her sound
I like to think its the experience of stepping into someone’s late-night thoughts. Sonically, it sits somewhere between alt-pop and indie, with moments of grit and softness layered together. Everything i make is rooted in my folk and americana influences. Those inspirations are apparent as ever in my next releases. The storytelling is simultaneously cinematic and brutally straight forward.
On her influences
My dad is majorly responsible for my musical upbringing. When i was little he gave me an oldschool mp3 which he downloaded mixtapes onto for me to listen. I think he was sneaky about it—slipping in his favorite rock and folk songs between the pop tracks I was into at the time. Looking back, I know he was trying to expose me to great songwriting early on, and it definitely worked.
His love for music and the way he’d talk about music history has inspired me more than I probably even realize. It laid the foundation for how I listen, how I write, and how I think about songs as stories.
On the Danish music scene
Copenhagen’s music scene has this really special undercurrent, especially in the indie and underground spaces. It’s always harboring the next cool thing. What’s exciting to me about the city is that it’s a frontrunner in so many creative fields. Whether it’s fashion, design, visual arts, or film, there’s this constant cross-pollination of ideas that makes the city feel incredibly alive. It creates a space where artists can push boundaries by drawing inspiration from all different corners of the artscape.
I’ve also come to really love and appreciate the small size of not just Copenhagen, but Denmark as a whole. There’s something about the intimacy here that creates the perfect environment for collaboration and community. You’re never physically far from someone who’s working on something new and exciting.
Who else at SPOT she's excited to see
I’ve honestly got a fully stacked schedule for both days. This year is special for me because it’s my first time at SPOT, and I get to be alongside a whole wave of artists I not only admire as musicians but also have great friendships with.
At the top of my list has to be Kayak. Eva, the lead singer, is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and I’ve been a huge fan of theirs long before we even connected in person. Downtown July is a must-see. In my opinion, they’re one of the best live bands we have right now. I mean, that's why I poached two of the guys for my own band, haha.
You’ll definitely catch me at Cevil, Mekdes, DJ Lilli, Søn, Astrid Schick, Dork, and Vilma Crow, to name just a few.
What we can expect from her live show at SPOT
I feel like a wind-up toy that’s about to shoot off. The guys in my band are unbelievably talented, and we have so much fun playing together. I think you’ll be able to feel that energy and join us in it. Playing at Musikhuset is such a privilege, so we’ve poured everything into making this show our absolute best. I’m bringing the favorite tracks from my debut album - ones that I think really come alive in a live setting. And most excitingly, the SPOT audience will be the very first to hear songs from my next release. I promise you won’t want to miss those. What I love most is that feeling after a show, when it’s like we’ve all just shared something special - something you really had to be in the room for. That’s what I hope to create in Rytmisk Sal.
The greatest misconception she thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
People tend to associate Danish style with minimalism, and while that’s part of it, I think the best spaces here are the ones that break the mold a little. There’s this idea that everything is sleek and cold, but actually, Danish homes are often incredibly warm and personal - full of candles, textures, and weird little objects that make you feel something. My favorite interiors look like they’ve been lived in by someone with a really rich inner world. The magic of Danish living isn’t just in clean lines and neutral tones, it’s in how the space makes you feel.
SLIM0
What sets SLIM0 apart in regard to the international stage is their ability to craft minimal yet intense sonic landscapes. Their music is stripped back, but never sparse—distorted guitars, crashing cymbals, and haunting vocal harmonies build a palpable tension that lingers long after each track ends. It’s a bold, brooding take on classic punk and rock archetypes, told from a deeply personal and almost mythic point of view. With their compelling aesthetic, genre-defying sound, and raw emotional intensity, SLIM0 is a band ready to resonate with international audiences looking for something gritty, intelligent, and real.
On their origins
We all grew up together in a rural area in the southern part of Denmark. Mija and Lena are siblings and met Simin in their teens. We grew up in a slow paced, quiet mono-culture, scenic nature, conventional farming, a lot of scooters and village gossip. Both our families are into music, so we were lucky to get exposed to a lot of different music in our homes, and to play instruments ourselves from an early age. Even though the scene is tiny, there is still some rock and weird music type of things going on.
We all have had different paths into music, but we started our trio in 2018 as a performance art project, where Simin made some playable sculptures and invited Lena and Mija to play music in them with their old duo Milowitch. That was the beginning of SLIM0 and the rest is history.
On their sound
Lo-fi drama infused minimal doom
On their influences
We have so many different influences since we all three also work in different fields like fine arts, film directing and composing film scores. Most of the time the influences are intangible - feels like a montage of scenes collected by each of us, then shared and intertwined when we are together. Some of the music we really love and connect with as a band is Alice Coltrane, Björk, Takkak Takkak, The Cranes, Boris, Aase Nielsen and Beverly-Glenn Copeland. What they all have in common is that they allow their music to change direction, expand and explore, be humorous, dramatic and poetic, angry and deeply heartfelt! No limitations and not loyal to one specific sound or aesthetic.
On the Danish music scene
Copenhagen has a quite blooming music scene, many different genres and small venues which is exciting. The underground is definitely financially struggling these years, but still going strong. We have many great colleagues and friends in the field whom we admire a lot.
Who else at SPOT they'r excited to see
We can’t wait to hear Vulvatorious! We’re gonna be in the front! J.Ludwig III, Mekdes, and Alba Akwama are some acts we’re looking forward to experiencing live as well.
What we can expect from their live show at SPOT
“We’re here with our speakers” - so you can expect to see us having a lot of fun whilst playing the music we love. The foundation of our music is the friendship we’ve built and lived in for years .. so you’ll get a slice of that with the music, which speaks for itself.
The greatest misconception she thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
Haha, well maybe that Danes are known to be the happiest people in the world lol ;) also, our experience is, that people outside of Denmark often have a misconception about Denmark having some sort of geo-political “neutrality” or a cozy left-leaning government, when in fact it is complicit in genocides, wars around and exploitation the world.
Dork
Dork has created her very own feel-bad indie universe, which has already attracted considerable attention from both audiences and media in Denmark. Her alternative indie sound feels both fresh and familiar at the same time, striking differently than other similar artists.
On her origins
I grew up in a very mid-size town in southern Denmark. You can go for a nice canoe-trip in the summer. I think I might do that actually.
I’ve been playing music all my life, ever since I could pick up an instrument so naturally my mother has made sure I’ve taken lessons for most of my life, playing flute, piano and guitar.
I wrote my first song at age 15/16, which was an angry break-up song about my ex-boyfriend at the time. I still write angry songs 10 years later:)
On her sound
My guitar-based-feel-bad-indie-rock-music is somewhere between sincerity and sarcasm. On my debut EP I had an ambition to ditch the cutesy aesthetic I used to have in my music, to embrace a more selfish and cheeky vibe. The process has been a deep dive into curated sounds with bare-boned arrangements, allowing for a no-bullshit expression.
On her influences
Mac Demarco and Phoebe Bridgers has probably had the biggest influence on how I work. I thought I wanted to be a lo-fi musician who records everything by themselves, like Demarco. However, I’m just too impatient to do that, although, I still like writing out the different parts in all of the instruments before playing my songs with my band. I also get other talented people to produce my music.
My view on songwriting really changed when I discovered Phoebe Bridgers. I don’t think my music sounds like hers, but studying her songs has taught me a lot about storytelling and other technical aspects of songwriting. I truly think she is one of the greatest songwriters of my/our generation.
On the Danish music scene
It’s not easy to be an upcoming artist outside of Aarhus and Copenhagen, so my experience has been a sort of solitary one. It’s hard for me to say anything about the music scene because I don’t really feel a part of it.
Who else at SPOT she's excited to see
Inspector Spacetime, Yndling and Girlscout. I haven’t seen any of the bands and I think it’s cool to see bands from other nordic countries.
What we can expect from her live show at SPOT
Dorky girl power:)
The greatest misconception she thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
I’ve seen videos online about people in Copenhagen being exceptionally beautiful and well dressed. I can assure you there are also average people in Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark.
Find out more at spotfestival.dk
Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday
Prima Queen
The Prize
Femi Kuti
Journey Through Life
Sunflower Bean
Mortal Primetime
