Vasuma Alley Sessions 3 - SAHARA HOTNIGHTS

On June 24, Sahara Hotnights became the third band to take over our alley in Gamla Stan for Vasuma Alley Sessions.

And this time, things got loud.

Distorted guitars, pounding drums and the highest volume our little alley had experienced so far. No acoustic arrangements or holding back. Just four musicians plugging in and delivering a full-force rock show in one of the most intimate settings imaginable.

The set brought together songs from their latest material with familiar favourites, including Cheek to Cheek. From the opening moments, the energy was there, and it never really let up.

Sahara Hotnights

Formed in Robertsfors in 1992, Sahara Hotnights have become one of Sweden's most recognisable rock bands. More than three decades into their career, the original lineup remains intact: Maria Andersson on vocals and guitar, Jennie Asplund on guitar, Johanna Asplund on bass and Josephine Forsman on drums.

From their early breakthrough with C'mon Let's Pretend and Jennie Bomb to their latest album, No One Ever Really Changes, the band has built a reputation around sharp songwriting, guitar-driven rock and a distinct attitude that has never felt particularly interested in following trends.

In 2025, Sahara Hotnights were inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame, recognising their lasting influence on Swedish music.

Yet despite the history, there is nothing nostalgic about seeing them play live today. The band continues to write, record and perform with the same unmistakable identity, while allowing their sound to evolve along the way.

THE LIVE SESSION

There is something slightly surreal about seeing Sahara Hotnights set up their instruments in our small space at Kåkbrinken 10. A band accustomed to much larger stages, now standing just a few steps away from a handful of invited guests.

But once they plugged in, the size of the room hardly seemed to matter.

Maria Andersson led the evening with her characteristic confidence, a little rebellious, effortlessly cool, but with a warmth and playfulness that made the whole performance feel personal. Her vocals and guitar were right at the centre of the action, with Jennie Asplund adding layers of distorted guitar alongside her.

Johanna Asplund kept the low end moving with a steady, driving bass, while Josephine Forsman was a force behind the drums. Together, they gave the songs a physical presence that could be felt throughout the room.

There was barely any distance between the band and the audience. Every guitar chord, drum hit and change in expression happened right in front of us.

The set moved between new songs and older favourites, with Cheek to Cheek bringing a familiar moment into an otherwise unusually intimate setting. The volume was higher than anything we had experienced in the alley before, but so was the sense of connection between the musicians and everyone watching.

What stood out was how naturally the four of them played together. Decades of shared history were evident, not through grand gestures, but in the small details, the looks exchanged and the way the music moved forward without hesitation.

Having Sahara Hotnights in our alley was something special. A band that has helped shape Swedish rock music, playing at full volume in one of the smallest rooms imaginable.

And another reminder of why Vasuma Alley Sessions exists. To bring artists and audiences closer together, and let music take over spaces where you might least expect it.