Life and career are on a rocket's pace for Benjamin Ingrosso. He is by far Sweden's hottest male artist, and his latest single "Look Who's Laughing Now" went straight to number one on the singles chart in Sweden. This summer he is out on a nationwide tour and ticket demand is high.
For me personally, the concert at Station in Stockholm will be a special day. I’ve driven past there ever since I was little and thought, ‘it would be cool to play there’.
’one day', and now that day has come!
It's best we take the opportunity to enjoy Benjamin here at home in Sweden while we can, because the ambitious 26-year-old is aiming high. He has plans to conquer the world, the pop world that is. After sold-out concerts in Europe earlier this year and with several singles from his upcoming album on international top charts, the conditions are good for him to become our next really big music export. – There are several female artists and groups from Sweden who have made it big abroad, like ABBA and others. But no Swedish male solo artist. I will do everything in my power to try and fill that gap. It has been my dream ever since I was a child, Benjamin recently said in an interview with Di Weekend. INRIKES took the opportunity to ask Benjamin a few questions about: the summer concerts, his push for an international career, and what he does to relax on a free summer day. Which song are you most looking forward to performing on the tour? – It will be fun to perform "Look Who's Laughing Now" because it has received such incredibly good feedback and it will be fun to hear a whole audience sing.
Is there any place on the tour schedule where it will be particularly fun to play?
– It will be incredibly fun all over the country, but for me personally, the concert at Station in Stockholm will be a special day. I've driven past there ever since I was little, thinking ‘it would be cool to play there someday’, and now that day has arrived!
How do you train and stay in shape for concerts?
– I try to train four to five days a week and eat relatively good food, not too much fast food. At the weekends I can treat myself to a burger or pasta and things like that. But when I’m out on tour, I eat exactly what I want, because then the training is included in the show, as I move so much on stage.
ON THE TOP LISTS
With over a billion global streams, several platinum and gold-certified singles, and three number-one albums, Benjamin Ingrosso continues to cement his status as one of Sweden's biggest music artists. This spring, he had the opportunity to showcase himself in a performance as an interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö. He performed a medley that included "Look Who's Laughing Now," among other songs. The performance was watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and received a fantastic response.
It's a nod to everyone who doubted us, proving that we can be ourselves, live our best lives, and still come out on top. It's about embracing our flaws, living life to the fullest, and showing the world that authenticity wins.
– Look Who’s Laughing Now celebrates being authentic and enjoying life, regardless of others’ perceptions. It’s a nod to all those who doubted us, proving that we can be ourselves, live our best lives, and still come out on top. It’s about embracing our flaws, living life to the fullest, and showing the world that authenticity wins.
CHARGES DROPPED
Not only is Benjamin touring all summer, but he is also working on putting the pieces of his international career puzzle together by performing at international festivals and doing some international PR. The ultimate goal is to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York. – I truly believe it's possible, he tells Di Weekend, but I also realise that it's incredibly difficult to get there. It's courageous for a Swedish artist even to consider it. But when I'm sitting in the old people's home, I want to be able to say to myself that I gave everything to achieve my dream. Benjamin has been a celebrity his whole life, thanks to his own great talents as a singer, dancer and presenter, but also because of his family. Being the child of successful parents can create great insecurity and a need for validation. He says he has been terrified of many things, and that's why he didn't dare to go on tour until last summer.
POSITIVE RESPONSE
Benjamin says he has gone through a lot of difficulties but that his self-confidence has grown over the past year, not least through the fantastically positive response to his live shows and the growing international interest in him as an artist. Performing abroad is liberating, where he doesn't have to be Pernilla's son or Bianca's little brother – there he can just be himself. – Absolutely, that’s exactly how I’ve felt! he tells Di Weekend. It’s so nice when there’s no pre-conceived image that I have to ’please’ them with. I really get to be Benjamin. I decide who I am. In several gigs, I’ve started by saying: ‘My name is Benjamin Ingrosso and you have no idea who I am. But I promise you that in one hour, you will remember my name’.
It's a nod to everyone who doubted us, proving that we can be ourselves, live our best lives, and still come out on top. It's about embracing our flaws, living life to the fullest, and showing the world that authenticity wins.
BENJAMIN'S PERFECT SUMMER What do you most enjoy doing on a day off in the summer?
– I'd gladly go out to the countryside, to my maternal grandparents' house, and swim. Maybe I'll bring some buns and milk with me and go swimming and eat buns. Then maybe I'll go and sit at some cosy archipelago inn and have Biff Rydberg or herring with ice cream for dessert.
Mitt perfekta sommarparty ser ut som en härlig, avslappnad tillställning med god mat och dryck, bra musik och trevligt sällskap under bar himmel.
– Then one should listen to Swedish music, Swedish ballads and pop from the 70s, 80s and 90s, everything from Per Gessle and Magnus Uggla to ABBA. One should eat a lot of herring and potatoes with brown butter, Gubbröra, strawberries and Pinocchio cake. At the party, one drinks snaps, gin and tonic, good white wine and coffee.
Mina tre favoritplatser i Sverige på sommaren är: 1. **Skärgården utanför Stockholm:** Det är fantastiskt med alla öar, klippor och det blå vattnet. Man kan bada, segla eller bara njuta av lugnet. 2. **Gotland:** Ön har en otroligt vacker natur med raukar och vita sandstränder. Visby är också en charmig stad med mycket historia. 3. **Höga Kusten:** Om man gillar vandring och dramatiska vyer är det här ett perfekt ställe. Naturen är storslagen och man kan uppleva UNESCO:s världsarv.
Lysekil, it's so incredibly beautiful there with all the small, picturesque houses. It looks like a dream as you pass all the islands. And I love eating langoustines.
Falkenberg is very beautiful. It feels like you are abroad when you are on the gigantic beach.
• Stockholm's archipelago, Vaxholm is a favourite. I grew up there and when I'm in the archipelago I want to listen to Ted Gärdestad and Evert Taube and remember my grandfather.
BENJAMIN INGROSSO
Age: 26 years old. Lives: Newly bought apartment in Vasastan, Stockholm.
FamilySon of Pernilla Wahlgren and Emilio Ingrosso. Siblings Oliver Ingrosso, Bianca Ingrosso and Theodor Wahlgren.
Background Artist, songwriter and music producer. Benjamin has been in the spotlight since winning Lilla Melodifestivalen in 2006. Won Melodifestivalen 2018 with the song Dance You Off. Featured in TV programmes such as Let’s Dance, Så mycket bättre and his own entertainment programme Benjamin’s (2021–2022). Released two albums, in 2018 and 2021. The documentary film This is Benjamin Ingrosso is currently showing on HBO Max and Discovery plus. Was recently named Sweden's best-dressed man at the ELLE Gala.
Currently with: The Swedish tour Better Days Tour, starting at Sofiero Castle in Helsingborg on July 18th and concluding at Stockholm Stadium on August 9th.
Tickets: www.betterdaystour.com
