concert review: soen

This was my first time seeing Soen live, (and the first concert of this kind after the pandemic) and as a longtime fan who owns most of their discography, I was excited but also a little uncertain. Going to concerts can sometimes feel like stepping into a different world, and I wasn’t sure if I’d fit into the crowd. But as the night progressed, it became clear that none of that mattered. The connection I felt to the music was far more important than anything else.

The night began with two supporting acts, each offering something distinct. Trope, with their female vocalist and a mesmerizing guitarist, set an unexpected but welcome tone. The way the guitarist tortured his acoustic guitar was beautiful, creating intricate and raw melodies that perfectly balanced the ethereal quality of the vocals. Oddland, on the other hand, brought a heavier, progressive metal sound. Although their style was a bit too intense for my taste, there was no denying their precision and how they built up the energy in the room, setting the stage for Soen.

The set began with Dylan Thomas’s Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night filling the venue—a haunting, poetic start that set a contemplative tone. As the fog rolled in, Soen emerged one by one, and the first notes of Sincere echoed through the air. The intimate crowd at Rockhal Club, while not sold out, felt just right. There was enough space to enjoy the music without being shoulder to shoulder, but the energy was still palpable. At first, the band’s energy was restrained, almost as if they were feeling out the room, but that quickly changed as Sincere melted into the next songs.

Joel Ekelöf’s live vocals were something special. His voice sounded almost identical to how it does on their albums—clear, controlled, and deeply emotional. The harmonies, especially during songs like Lotus and Unbreakable, elevated the performance, adding layers of richness to the already atmospheric sound. It’s one thing to hear these harmonies on a studio album, but hearing them live made the music feel even more powerful and immersive.

The music was incredible, no doubt. Oleksii Kobel, their bassist, carried an energy that was magnetic—cool and intense all at once. His presence drew you in. I found myself unexpectedly captivated by Lars Åhlund, the rhythm guitarist and pianist, whose quiet confidence balanced out the larger-than-life performances of Cody Ford and Joel Ekelöf. Cody’s playing was flawless, though his posing—standing on a pedestal for his solos—felt a bit over the top for me. Still, it made me smile; it was part of the rockstar charm, even if it felt more expected than spontaneous.

As the concert progressed, Ekelöf began interacting more with the crowd, engaging us in playful games of who could cheer louder—the left or right side of the venue. It was a fun moment that broke down the usual performer-audience divide, making the night feel more intimate. The audience, split into halves, responded eagerly, and it became a call and response, an exchange of enthusiasm that fueled the rest of the performance.

The transitions between songs were seamless. One moment you were lost in Monarch, and before you knew it, Modesty swept you into its groove. By the time they played Lotus, the last song before the encore, I was fully immersed. That chorus—“gather around”—is still playing in my head. There’s something about it that reaches deep, pulling at those quiet places inside you.

But it was Soen’s encore, Violence, that left the deepest impression. The intensity of that final performance felt like an exclamation point at the end of a long sentence. The way the crowd reacted—the cheers, the energy—made it clear that we were all still riding the emotional wave long after the final chord. Days later, I’m still humming their songs, particularly Unbreakable and Lotus, and reflecting on how music that powerful can stay with you, long after the stage lights fade.

I’ll definitely be back the next time Soen comes to town. The connection I felt with their music, and with everyone in that room, was too meaningful to pass up again.