Sunnan: Stockholm's "spaghettisoul" Innovators Impress Live

Sunnan is a Stockholm-based quintet that plays a blend of organic soul, psychedelia, and atmospheric pop. Their music is characterized by slow bass grooves, analog synths, electric guitar, and vocal harmonies, and the sound is often described as cinematic with touches of instrumental western soundtracks.

The band was formed in 2020 by five established musicians from the Swedish live scene:

Pär Stenhammar, Kalle Perlskog, Aron Blom, Theodor Kylin, and Robin Lindvall. The project started during the pandemic in a barn in the Dalarna village Sunnanhed.

They gained early attention through a collaboration with Titiyo on the single "The Sound (Make It Come Back)."

Their debut album Cinema was released in 2024 and was followed up by the EP Cinema Sound System in 2025, which together have earned the band several Grammis and P3 Guld nominations. They have previously undertaken extensive tours in the Nordics and Europe, both as an opening act for Titiyo and at their own club gigs.

On Thursday evening, the quintet Sunnan took the stage at Förbindelsehallen, Slakthusområdet. The venue held special meaning for the band members. During the evening's first break between songs, they shared that several of them grew up in the area. The singer noted that, for once, it was possible to take the green line of the subway to work.

Sunnan's trademark is their own description "spaghettisoul"—where cinematic, Morricone-influenced arrangements meet suggestive soul pop.

The concert opened with "My Love for You," one of the group's most played songs, taken from

their debut album Cinema. It was immediately clear that the audience recognized the song and was engaged from the start. Many followed the rhythm with nods and subtle movements, and the applause after the song gave an early sign that the band had captured the audience's attention.

Roughly halfway through the show, the pace slowed and the band treated us to the track “Tranan” from the group's latest EP. The song, which is a pure tribute to nature, is entirely instrumental, and here the melodic parts were given more space. This, however, put the concert format to the test. The subdued sections led to noticeable chatter spreading in the back rows of Förbindelsehallen. Although the murmur didn’t drown out the music itself, it became clear that the audience was less focused.

The band quickly regained momentum with "Longing to Miss You," which the singer presented as a personal favorite. Judging by the response, the song was also a favorite for much of the audience.

Sunnan's main strength is the interplay between its five musicians. They play tightly and give each other space, which is evident throughout the performance.

The evening concluded with "Wild Horses," also from their debut album Cinema. After a show that only briefly lost the audience's focus during the quieter passages, Sunnan left the stage with the same presence they established right from the opening number.