There will be more than a few familiar faces kicking around Roadburn this year. Not least that of Mats Gustafson who has graced us with his presence previously with The End and Fire!, and now he returns with his new group, Backengrillen. Also featuring three-fourths of Refused (vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge), Backengrillen are the jazz-infused sonic chaos you didn’t realise you were missing until just now.
Describing their mission statement as “anti fascist, anti racist free form death jazz – in the memory of Lars Lystedt,” they give you a good idea of what to expect when they launch themselves on the world. They already have a handful of live shows under their belt and a debut album set to launch them into the realm of recorded music courtesy of Svart Records due imminently.
Mats comments: “Backengrillen are psyched and ecstatic to be playing at Roadburn in 2026.
The most ass and mind- kickin festival around. Hold your hats and secure your tonearms!
Consider this a case of forewarned and forearmed. Backengrillen unite four Swedish musicians under a mesmerising jazz punk spell that will bend your perceptions of space, time, and music.
– Becky Laverty
