Alphabeat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alphabeat
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Alphabeat performing at Gröna Lund in Stockholm on 26 July 2008
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| Origin | Silkeborg, Denmark |
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Alphabeat is a Danish pop band from Silkeborg, Denmark. The band is led by singers Stine Bramsen and Anders Stig Gehrt Nielsen. Their song "Fascination" was a huge hit in Denmark in 2007. It also became very popular in the United Kingdom in 2008.
Their next song, "10.000 Nights of Thunder" (also known as "10,000 Nights"), was also a big success. Their first album, named Alphabeat, reached number two in Denmark and number ten in the UK. It sold over 100,000 copies. Their top songs have sold around 400,000 copies in total.
Contents
History of Alphabeat
How the Band Started (2003–2007)
Alphabeat has six members: Anders Stig Gehrt "Anders SG" Nielsen, Stine Bramsen, Anders "Anders B" Bønløkke, Rasmus Nagel, Anders Reinholdt, and Troels Møller.
The group first formed in 2003 in Silkeborg, Denmark. Back then, they were called Sodastar. As Sodastar, they won a Danish music contest in 2004. This win helped them create a short album called an EP and go on a 16-show tour.
Early on, their music was described as "cool" and was influenced by bands like Chic, Wham!, and The Pointer Sisters. In 2006, the group changed their name to Alphabeat. They did this to avoid being confused with another German band.
First Album Success (2007–2009)
Alphabeat's first album, also called Alphabeat, came out in Denmark on March 5, 2007. It quickly became very popular, reaching number two on the Danish Albums Chart. It sold enough copies to be called "platinum" within five months.
Because they were so successful in Denmark, big music companies from other countries noticed them. Alphabeat then signed with EMI's Charisma Records in the United Kingdom. Their first UK song, "Fantastic 6," was released in November 2007. The album was later released internationally as This Is Alphabeat. It reached number ten on the UK Albums Chart.
In 2009, Alphabeat won an EBBA Award. These awards celebrate new artists who become popular outside their home countries. Even though they were doing well, the band decided to leave Charisma Records in early 2009.
Second Album and New Label (2009–2011)
On March 7, 2009, Alphabeat announced they had signed a new record deal with Polydor Records. Their manager was very excited about working with one of the UK's most successful music companies.
In August 2009, their new song "The Spell" was introduced. Their second album, also called The Spell, was released in Denmark on October 26, 2009. It reached number five on the charts there and quickly became "gold."
The album was released in the UK on March 1, 2010, but its name was changed to The Beat Is... It reached number thirty-nine on the UK Albums Chart. Other songs from this album included "DJ" and "Hole in My Heart."
Third Album and Break (2012–2013)
Alphabeat's third album, Express Non-Stop, was released on September 24, 2012. The first song from this album, "Vacation", came out in the UK in March 2012. Another song, "Love Sea," was released in August 2012.
After releasing two more songs, "X-Mas (Let's Do It Again)" and "Show Me What Love Is," the band decided to take a break in 2013. They wanted to work on other music projects.
Band Hiatus and Solo Work (2013–2019)
On September 18, 2013, Alphabeat announced on social media that they were taking a break. This meant the band members would focus on their own music.
Lead singer Stine Bramsen signed a recording contract to make her own album. Her album, Fiftyseven, came out in October 2015 and reached number one on the Danish charts. She also released two shorter albums called EPs.
In July 2014, singer Anders SG and guitarist Anders Bønløkke formed a music duo called THANKS. They released their first song, "Comeback Girl." They continued to release music, including an album called Mind Expansion in 2018.
On June 1, 2018, Alphabeat released a special 10th Anniversary edition of This is Alphabeat on vinyl.
Return to Music (2019–Present)
After a six-year break, Alphabeat signed a new deal with Atlantic Records. They released a new song called "Shadows". This song was the first from their fourth album, which was planned for the fall.
The band also announced shows in the United States, including at the SXSW event in March 2019. They also planned a tour in Denmark as part of Grøn Koncert in July 2019.
On August 30, 2019, Alphabeat released their second song from the new album, "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore." They also announced the album's name, Don't Know What's Cool Anymore, which came out on November 1, 2019.
In September 2019, the band announced a tour in Denmark for February 2020 and three shows in the United Kingdom for April 2020. The music video for "I Don't Know What's Cool Anymore" was directed by band members Rasmus Nagel and Anders Reinholdt.
In November 2019, a music video for "Sing a Song" was released. A Danish TV channel, DR3, also showed a documentary series about Alphabeat. It was called Alphabeat - Da Festen Forsvandt (which means Alphabeat - When the Party Disappeared). This series looked at the band's relationships and challenges.
On June 26, 2020, Alphabeat released a new song called "Sometimes 2020." It was a new version of their 2019 song "Sometimes."
In June 2021, the group was chosen to create the official Danish song for the 2020 UEFA Championship. The song, "Danmarks Dynamite," was their first song in Danish. They worked with members of the Denmark national football team on it.
Touring and Performances
Alphabeat first performed in the UK in May 2007. Later that year, they went on their first UK tour, supporting other artists. They were asked to open for the Spice Girls on their 2007–08 tour, but they said no. They felt it would be "too weird" to suddenly play for 23,000 people who didn't know their music.
The band is often linked to the "wonky pop" music style. They have played at many Wonky Pop events and tours.
In the summer of 2008, they played at many big festivals in Britain and other countries. These included T in the Park, Roskilde Festival, and T4 on the Beach. They also performed for hundreds of young Girl Guides in Birmingham, England.
In late 2008, Alphabeat started a twenty-two-show tour in the UK and the Netherlands, with many shows selling out. They also planned to play with American singer Katy Perry on her 2008 world tour. However, they later canceled these shows to work on their second album.
They did a small UK tour in autumn 2009 to promote The Spell. They also toured the UK in April 2010. They even opened for Lady Gaga on her "The Monster Ball Tour" in the UK and Ireland in early 2010. They played their first US show at the 2010 SXSW Festival.
On July 26, 2011, Alphabeat performed for 4000 UK scouts before they left for the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. The next year, on July 28, 2012, Alphabeat was the final act at Jamboree Denmark 2012.
Band Members
- Stine Bramsen – vocals
- Anders Stig Gehrt "Anders SG" Nielsen – vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar
- Anders "Anders B" Bønløkke – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Anders Reinholdt – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
- Rasmus Nagel – keyboards, backing vocals
- Troels Møller – drums, backing vocals
Alphabeat Albums
- Alphabeat (2007)
- The Spell (2009)
- Express Non-Stop (2012)
- Don't Know What's Cool Anymore (2019)
See also
In Spanish: Alphabeat para niños
