In the aftermath of last week's exquisite Nobel Prize Banquet, Vogue Scandinavia caught up with one of the evening's star performers, beloved Swedish artist Laleh, to hear about her unforgettable experience
Last Wednesday marked this year’s illustrious Nobel Prize Gala, which saw over a thousand esteemed guests – from politicians and diplomats to distinguished scientists and members of the Swedish royal family – flock to Stockholm’s opulent City Hall. A glamorous affair honouring the zenith of human excellence, the evening comprised captivating speeches, fine dining and dancing, and, to crown the celebrations, special performances.
Among the artists who received the coveted invitation to perform at the banquet was Swedish musician Laleh, who enchanted the audience with two spellbinding songs. “It felt nice and inspiring, [the performance was] definitely a special moment for me that I will always remember,” she reflects on the night. “I was told not to expect any applause because, apparently, it’s not customary to applaud at the banquet after a performance, so I was expecting dead silence. It felt spontaneous and fun when they actually started clapping.”
Laleh’s choices of tracks for the gala carried deep meaning. Opening with ‘When good ain’t good’, a song the artist penned specifically for the event, she explains, “I felt I had to express a feeling that I’ve had about history repeating. Throughout history we, the people, have always been led and often misled into thinking that we are doing the right thing, but sometimes good is not good.” The audience appeared to resonate with the poignant lyrics, as Laleh spotted multiple smiles and nods of understanding amongst the invitees throughout her performance.
Photo: TT
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
For her second song, Laleh performed ‘Many lights’ – a mellow pop ballad she wrote two years ago – for the very first time, having saved it for the right moment. “This was the special moment I waited for,” she says. “It’s a song about hope and remembering that the world is full of heroes and friends. Ever since I wrote it, I’ve been trying to look at people and remind myself not to judge – who knows where you’ll find a really good friend next time.”
Special occasions call for special ensembles, and for each song, Laleh opted to don two separate looks – a decision she made less than 24 hours before the show. “I was supposed to wear the first outfit for both songs but the night before the banquet, I just had a feeling I had to wear a different dress for the ballad,” she says. Her first get-up – a chunky, cream mohair knit with fringes cascading over a delicate baby pink dress underneath – was created with costume designer Stefan Wåhlberg.
Pink was also the defining theme of the subsequent frock: a dreamy, tiered tulle number Laleh unearthed from her own artist wardrobe in a frantic search for the “biggest dress I could find.” “This dress has been in my closet for a while now, maybe years – I’m not even sure where or how I got it,” she shares. “Fortunately, I also found boots that had the exact same pink colour and it just felt right.”
Wåhlberg made a few quick adjustments, such as lengthening the hem and adding floral embellishments, “to make it more unique,” and the perfect gown was born. “You’d think I would’ve given up and avoided making last-minute decisions, but I kind of like combining all the well-prepared things with some last-minute creativity,” Laleh says. “I don’t know, maybe I love the drama.”