Smukfest 2024: Great Stars and Disappointments

Smukfest, the popular music festival in Denmark, is soon set to open its doors for this year’s musical days, and ticket holders can look forward to major international acts such as Burna Boy, Diana Ross, and Sam Smith. Chief Booker Mikkel Xavier expresses great pride in the festival’s lineup, stating, “We have managed to secure superstar artists who have defined the sound of 2024, promising some fantastic concerts at the Bøgescenen (the Oak Stage),” he said to Ritzau, a Danish news agency.

However, not everyone shares the chief booker’s enthusiasm. Kjartan F. Stolberg, a reviewer from the Danish music website Soundvenue, is more reserved in his appraisal. He believes that several of the international artists do not meet the standards set in previous years: “Burna Boy and Diana Ross are exciting, but both of them have recently performed in Denmark, so it doesn’t feel particularly exclusive. Deep Purple is also a solid name, but it alone doesn’t make the ticket worth the price,” he comments.

This year’s music program is predominantly dominated by Danish artists, making up a substantial 80% of the lineup. Mikkel Xavier views this as a strength. “We take pride in the fact that Danes are listening to national music like never before. It is the concerts with Danish artists that unite us,” he states.

Among the top Danish names are Gilli, Suspekt, and Medina. However, Stolberg only highlights Ukendt Kunstner (Unknown Artist) as a particularly exciting booking, stating he misses bolder choices among both Danish and international artists. “Names like Rasmus Seebach and Sam Smith do not push any boundaries. Last year, we had groundbreaking performances from Minds of 99 and Nik & Jay. This year looks a bit lackluster overall, with the exception of Suspekt,” he notes.

Despite the reviewer’s criticism, Mikkel Xavier stands firm behind his choices. He is pleased with a program that, according to him, offers a wide range: “We present legendary icons, current chart-toppers, and stars of tomorrow. We are extremely proud of our sold-out festival,” he asserts.