Lilla By Festivalen, the festival located in the small village of Rinkaby, Sweden is entering its 4 year and this year looks to be their most successful one ever.
Rinkaby, a small village (Lilla By is Swedish for just that) is located close to Lake Hammarsjon and 12 kilometres from Kristianstad.
The event is the creative dream of Rinkaby residents Malin Osth and Jonas Tancred, who wanted to have a festival for the local village people to gather and for the folks in the vicinity to have an easily commutable destination and has now evolved into a global event, gathering the legendary Canadians as well as up and coming talent.
“We, as well as most other people, had our calendar basically erased during the COVID pandemic so when the restrictions were opening 2021 we thought we just had to create our own little festival. We thought, how hard can it be!? And when we got the opportunity to host our festival together with the music industry professionals showcasing ourselves and other fellow musicians we just had to go with it,” explains Malin and Jonas.
Speaking of festivals and taking those giant leaps of fate, Malin and Jonas were invited to perform in Newfoundland in 2018 at a major music festival and it was there that they met Industry music veteran Sandy Graham. The journey began of Canada and Sweden developing the bond to create shows and opportunities together.
The forming of EMG Collectives became the wellspring to get Canadian talent to Sweden. In the last few years EMG Collectives brought Canadian musicians Don Graham, Barry Stagg, along with Sandy Graham as a delegate and organizer.
This year the participation of Canada is even stronger, and the result is the addition of the newly renovated Kanada Barn, a performance venue on the Lilla By Festivalen showcase grounds. Complete with Canadian flags, the performance talent roster in August will include, Lisa Hartt, Don Graham, Bad Skin. Nick Hedden and CJ Cooper. As well as performers the Canadian delegates in attendance will include music professionals Sandy Graham, Tina Cole. Nikki Cole. Sossie Khatcherian, Cussy Nicodemo (Dance Plant Records) Dan McConomy (Bigger Management/The TSF Music Group) taking part in informative panels and networking.
A special added bonus is Cashbox Radio wil also be attendance at Lilla By Festivalen. Founder Sandy Graham says, “How fitting that we launched Cashbox Radio at MIDEM in 2019 and we will be celebrating our 5th Birthday this August in Rinkaby, Sweden. We will be broadcasting live in the Canada Barn at Lilla By Festivalen August 23 and August 24 – Cashbox Radio – Radio the Way It Used!”
In a divided world Lilla By Festivalen in it’s own small but impressive way will bring together two cultures and have them work in harmony. Canada and Sweden have more in common than IKEA and hockey as Lilla By Festivalen will once again be demonstrating, bringing hope and knowledge side by side with amazing music.
https://www.lillabyfestivalen.se
Editor’s Note: Sandy Graham: We acknowledge the support of the Canadian Council for the Arts.
