Artister

Esben Kronborg

After releasing two albums in English, Esben released his self-titled debut album in Danish in 2019. The album received glowing 5-star reviews and significant acclaim. Esben engages with his audience with natural ease, and with his East Jutland charm and humor, you’re in good hands. With over 1,000 concerts both in Denmark and abroad, Esben Kronborg is an experienced live musician and performer who has played everything from Smukfest to Tivoli in Copenhagen. He has also toured the USA extensively, including performances at the legendary The Cactus Café in Austin, where Willie Nelson has performed. In 2023, Esben will release his fourth album, which reflects on the recent years of COVID-19 lockdowns and their impact on how we meet and view the world.

Henriette Sonne

Henriette Sonne was born on a sweltering summer day in '67 with music in her blood and a guitar around her neck. Since 1981, she has performed both solo, in duo, and with a band at many of the country's stages, both large and small—and she continues to do so. In 2017, she released the album Henriette Sonne featuring her own Danish songs, and she has performed on DK4 and at Mariehaven. Concurrently, Henriette often plays at nursing homes across Denmark for both young and elderly individuals who cannot attend public events. The Danish song heritage, folk songs, and country music hold a special place in her heart, and with her warm voice and a twinkle in her eye, she touches the hearts of her audience.

Marc Facchini

Marc Facchini is a unique figure on the Danish music scene. In the early 2010s, the Danish-Italian songwriter was the frontman of the KarriereKanon-winning rock band Mescalin Baby, and later of the genre-defying art-pop project Mother Lewinsky. Since 2015, he has toured the country with his Danish-language solo project, where Facchini’s psychedelic neo-folk has captivated audiences from large festival stages to cozy living rooms.

Laura Illeborg

Laura Illeborg has been writing and singing her own songs for nearly three decades. With more than ten albums to her name, Laura has established herself as one of the finest songwriters in the hand-played Nordic folk and Americana tradition from which her music springs. Laura writes and sings in Danish, capturing the big and small dilemmas of life with her simple yet poetic lyrics. Her songs explore themes of life and longing, both hopeful and wistful. They reflect on the past, the present, and the future. Laura Illeborg's lyrics are vibrant and humorously crafted, sung with an intense and unpretentious voice. She weaves her songs with small anecdotes and everyday stories, making her an excellent companion for life's reflective moments.

Jacob Bellens

Jacob Bellens has been writing songs and releasing music since 2004. He was previously a member of the rock band I Got You On Tape and the folk-inspired duo Murder. For the past 10 years, he has worked as a solo artist. Jacob primarily writes in English for himself but also serves as a songwriter for other artists in both Danish and English. His repertoire includes Danish-language compositions, featuring both his own songs and selections from the Danish song heritage, including popular music and possibly even older folk songs and hymns.

Emma Hørlyck

Anecdotes and poetic pop songs are at the heart of Emma Hørlyck’s music. Hørlyck is a songwriter, artist, composer, and lecturer. She was the first in Denmark to be admitted to the MGK Songwriting program in 2016, received the Engelsholm Højskole scholarship from Mads Langer in 2018, and released two albums in 2020. Despite her impressive resume, Emma Hørlyck is passionate about demonstrating to Denmark’s standardized world of 12s that it is possible to take more winding paths in life.

Jessie Ka

Behind the artist name Jessie Ka is the northern Jutlandic Pernille Dige Weltz. She writes English pop music with catchy melodies and a lot of heart. She uses songwriting as a diary, unafraid to draw from her own experiences in songs about loneliness, the fear of being abandoned, as well as optimism and finding self-belief. “Music has something truly amazing about it; it connects us and allows us to feel each other. I tell my stories, but for those who listen, it’s also a window into their own lives, and I find that so beautiful.”

Jørgen Thorup

Jørgen Thorup is a Danish musician, composer, singer, and songwriter, best known as the keyboardist for Shu-bi-dua from 1985 to 2001. After his time with Shu-bi-dua, he has toured with Pretty Maids, launched a solo career, and collaborated with artists such as Sascha Dupont, Billy Cross, Michael Hardinger, and B-Joe. In addition to his music career, Thorup is the chairperson for Spil Dansk. Jørgen Thorup also participated in the Musical Visiting Friends program in 2021 and 2022.

Helene Tungelund

Helene Tungelund, a folk singer, harpist, and songwriter, performs under the artist name ‘Sylfide’. Her music combines the Nordic folk tradition with modern songwriting, using the harp and her voice as the foundation. The melodies draw from traditional dances and old folk songs, while Danish lyrics address contemporary issues such as climate grief, femininity, and mental vulnerability. Helene has received four Danish Music Awards in the Roots category for her work with Sylfide and the vocal trio Nevesta’s Voice.

Sahra da Silva

Copenhagen-based soul, blues, and jazz singer Sahra da Silva performs with deep emotion, touching the hearts of many with her resonant voice and strong presence in music. Besides leading her own band, she has played in various jazz and blues ensembles, has been nominated multiple times for DMA Blues, and this year received the Møblomania Blues Prize. She will represent Denmark at this year's European Blues Challenge. Her 2020 album #blueswoman, featuring primarily original songs, received significant acclaim. She is currently promoting the singles “Learn To Love Again,” “Just A Bit Crazy,” and will release “One Way” on February 1, which will precede a new album set to be released in November 2023.

Carsten Knudsen

Carsten Knudsen is perhaps best known from De Nattergale and his iconic role as Gertrud Sand in The Julekalender. With great flair and comedic talent, he performs songs that offer whimsical reflections on life, encompassing both its grand and trivial aspects. Carsten Knudsen returns for the second season, playing a range of instruments from guitar to ukulele and pedal organ, with his compositions drawing on a variety of styles. All of it is tied together with heartwarming lyrics.

In 2022, the following artists participated in Musikalske Besøgsvenner:

Rosa Salamon

Kenneth Thordal

Tine Mynster

Carsten Knudsen

Ida Wenøe

Jørgen Thorup

Camilla Overgaard

Rasmus Bak Christiansen

Emma Hørlyck

Jonas Dahl

In 2021, the following artists participated in Musikalske Besøgsvenner:

Rikke Thomsen

Marcus Winther-John

Ester Brohus

Luna Ersahin

MC Hansen

Kristina Holgersen

Jørgen Thorup

Pernille Gunvad

Hjalte Ross

Thyge van Dassen