Sweden’s capital is fixed for floating frequencies this summer with the launch of Sauna Radio – the first station of its kind in the city. Launching July 5th, the open-air, multi-purpose spot by Lake Mälaren in central Stockholm will run every Saturday through the summer. With an outdoor DJ booth, public sauna, bar, chill area and wild swimming, this is where music discovery meets relaxation and renewal.

Stockholm-based French DJ, producer, label head and promoter Harold Boué (aka Abstraxion) is at the helm of the project. Bringing in a custom-built DJ booth, the already popular sauna and event space Eden Bastun is being recast as a vital community-driven cultural hub. Harold will undoubtedly channel the same spark that had him nurture and elevate Marseille’s scene over the last two decades through his renowned queer club night Mouillette, which filled the city’s lack of inclusive spaces, and Encore Encore, an Eco-Conscious festival which is located outside the city in France’s first organic village. Since relocating to Stockholm, his touch has already been felt among its clubbers and queer community with his Bisou event series which celebrates community, freedom and expression.

A free event rolling from noon through to 7pm, Sauna Radio’s program will champion the local legends who diversify Sweden’s emerging scene, as well as bringing in some international guests. This is a hybrid between freeform radio and electronic sound system culture, and it’s an evolving concept where live DJ sets across ambient, house, disco, techno and experimental clashes will meet other forms of artistic performance. 

“I fell in love with Eden Bastun’s unique setting, and saw that we could do something special here – gatherings that feel open, intimate and breathe new life into Stockholm,” Harold enthuses. “Sauna Radio will be rooted in local Swedish culture and nature,” he adds. “It’ll also be musically expansive with a global spirit. NTS, The Lot and Kiosk Radio are naturally big inspirations. Myself and the dedicated team behind this really want to see this grow into a long-term platform for shared listening, artistic dialogue, and memories in sound.”

The launch party grabbed a mix of local names and international guests with Abstraxion playing alongside Cashu, Mattias El Mansouri, Queen E, Bella Sarris, Kablam and Staffan Lindberg. 

Saturday (12th July) is a full hit of Swedes, including Peder Mannerfelt, who’s the most-known outside of Sweden – recent and upcoming gigs including Berghain, Sonar, Electrum Up To Date Festival, Dekmantel Selectors, Berlin Atonal. DJs Maja Korpi, Sean Fender, Marble, Issa Trinity & PRESCOTT, Acid Sussi, and Ramadonna also join. 

July’s full line-up includes: Abstraxion, Acid Sussi, Bella Sarris, Camillka, Cashu, Daniel Berj, Delavas, DJ Beverage, DJ City, EmblaEliza, Fatty Acid, Funky Loffe, Harald Björk, Issa Trinity, JAHANAM, Kablam, Karin Bernstrup, Leandro Pinto, Lefblom, Mackan Lindström, MAKODE, Maja Korpi, Marble, Mattias El Mansouri, MOLØ, Ms. K, Nathan Hamelberg, Peder Mannerfelt, Queen E, Sean Fender, Staffan Lindberg.

Sauna Radio will be streaming live on saunaradio.com and Youtube, with sets archived for replay.

LINKS: 
Sauna Radio website
Sauna Radio Instagram
Sauna Radio Youtube