There
 
Sweden has the highest per-capita number of cinema screens in Europe, according to this book, which is also the source of the images and information for this post.is a brilliant new performance space in Stockholm, but it is in desperate need of talent.

It’s the Draken Cinema, a standout example of Swedish modernist design. The main room is spectacular, with a very unusual all-beech arched ceiling that reminded me of the wooden concert hall at the Sydney Opera House. Built in 1938, it is one of many classic Stockholm cinemas, but it was closed in the mid-90s as it was simply too large to profit from its one screen and over 1,000 seats.

On Saturday, it reopened in its new guise as space for occasional events. Instead of rows of seats, there are now terraces flowing towards the stage, with tables and chairs on them. The potential for this place is enormous. Upgrade the Ikea furniture, replace the ad-hoc (but cheap) student-run bar in the back with what Sturehof has on offer, put the zitty kids in black tie, set a latin Jazz band on stage, and you’d have yourself the swishiest, grooviest nightclub this side of, er, Berlin.

We were among the first in — a misunderstanding on Anna’s part (this night out was all her doing) — so we had plenty of time to catch up on politics over vodkas Anna was for the Iraq war, but against the Afghanistan war. I was thoroughly confounded.. This was a good thing, for the booze inured us against the assault on our musical taste that followed.

First up: Two guys with synthesizers wearing scarves made from Christmas tree lights. One of them had discovered how to electronically alter the tone of his voice and proceeded to sing old Swedish songs as a girl for half an hour. They both put cardboard boxes over their heads. Maybe they were ashamed.

Then there was a very long intermission. We wondered where the next act was. Then we wished we hadn’t. Next up, three guys with synthesizers and a drummer with no sense of timing. They proceeded to play traditional Lap polyphonic songs transcribed for three synthesizers and arhythmic drums. Or they might have been.

Next up, a guy who performed for exactly 20 seconds (no synth), followed immediately by one guy on a synthesizer and a singer. They did Talking Heads/Cure inspired music, without the inspiration. Then we left. No wonder they drink themselves into a stupor here. I certainly had to. I consequently have no idea who these people were, who organized it and why. But I do know Draken deserves a whole lot better than this.