Before he started the Danish pop group, Lukas Graham, Lukas Forchhammer grew up in Christiania, Copenhagen’s famous self-governing neighborhood, where music and a non-mainstream approach to community has been part of his life since childhood.
Christiania is a 20-acre alternative community in Copenhagen created in 1971 after young squatters began inhabiting abandoned military barracks and established what they called Christiania Free Town.Upholding the tenants for creativity, community and freedom, its known for its colorful structures, communal spaces and celebration of art. The Grey Hall, its music center, was part of Christiania from the beginning.
So it shouldn't be a shock that when Lukas formed Lukas Graham in 2011, it would have a good chance of being successful.
Their self titled debut album went to #1 in Denmark in 2012, thanks to the bangers “Drunk in the Morning” and “Criminal Mind.” They soon signed to Warner Bros and a few years later had another hit with "7 Years," whose video has over 1.8 billion views.
Not only did fans love it at home but in the States the single went to #2 and the album it was on (nicknamed The Blue Album) went to #3 in the US.
But it didn't stop there: “7 Years” was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards. Sadly they were up against Adele’s “Hello” which won Record of the Year, and Twenty One Pilots’ “Stressed Out” took home the trophy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Last month they dropped their fifth studio record, album, Good Times, which features “Falling” and “Rich Man.” Ed Sheeran are so into them he asked them to open on his current tour, which they are currently on.
Recently Lukas visited the Setlist offices where the talked about the songs they choose to play on tour. Click the video on top for the full chat, or keep scrolling for a few highlights.
Most-Performed Songs
Lukas Forchhammer: "7 Years," is number one, "Mama Said" is number two, and "Drunk in the Morning" number three.
Number 18, "Only One." It's a song we never released. Funny that it's on there.
One I played with [Juan Karlos Labajo,] a Filipino artist: "ERE," it's called. I sang it in Tagalog. Can we have that as a category? Languages sung.
Most Played Venue
Vega in Copenhagen: 14 times.
My drummer Mark found out his wife was pregnant on a day we had a show in that venue, and he just says, "If it's a girl, we're gonna have to call her Vega."
That's how legendary that venue is. People are named after this venue.
Oh The Places They've Been
There's a lot of Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. There's so much of the world where I have not toured yet. And to my defense, I have three kids, so I also like to see my kids.
I am looking at the date of my next show. I am joining Ed Sheeran this autumn and performing in some massive stadiums, smack bang, let's go setlist.
Lukas Graham is scheduled to support Ed in a few weeks at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly on 9/19, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on 9/25 & 9/26, and others, wrapping it up and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on 11/7.
Should be some good times.
