Kent (band)

Kent was a Swedish alternative rock band formed in Eskilstuna in 1990. With members Joakim Berg, Martin Sköld, Sami Sirviö and Markus Mustonen, the band had numerous radio hits throughout Sweden and Scandinavia and consecutive number-one studio albums on the Sweden top list (Sverigetopplistan) beginning with the release of Verkligen (1996) and led by the single "Kräm (så nära får ingen gå)". With origins rooted in distorted rock, they found mainstream success through their alternative rock albums of the mid-1990s, 2000s and 2010s, the latter decades during which they adopted elements of synthpop.

With eleven number-one albums, five number-one singles, 22 Swedish Grammy Awards, and over three million record sales, Kent is considered the most popular rock/pop group within Sweden and throughout Scandinavia. Vapen & ammunition (2002) topped the Swedish charts for eight weeks. The band was inducted into the Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

As Kent's songs are primarily performed in Swedish, they are unfamiliar to most English-speaking audiences. Kent briefly attempted an international career with English versions of the albums Isola (1997) and Hagnesta Hill (1999) and an accompanying American tour for the former, but stopped after finding less success than they had in Scandinavia.

On 14 March 2016, the band announced that they would release their final album, titled Då som nu för alltid, after 26 years of performing. The album was released on 20 May 2016. The band's announcement noted that the dissolution of the band is voluntary and is despite their continued success. In September, Kent began a months-long farewell tour that covered Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The last concert was held at Tele2 Arena in Stockholm on 17 December 2016.

Kent reunited in March 2025 to play six concerts at Stockholm's 3Arena.

The band Jones & Giftet (Jones & The Poison) was formed in 1990 with members Joakim "Jocke" Berg, Martin Sköld, Markus Mustonen, Sami Sirviö and Thomas Bergqvist (synthesizers). Berg and Sirviö started the band when Berg went to London and bought two guitars, one for each of them. Sköld, Bergqvist and Mustonen joined soon after. Their first gig was in Lindesberg in Västmanland, and the second at Knegoffs in Eskilstuna. In 1991, Jones & Giftet won the contest Cult 91 at the Skylight in Eskilstuna.

In 1992 Martin Roos played with Jones & Giftet for the first time, at Cult 92. Soon thereafter he replaced Thomas Bergqvist. On 30 September 1992 Jones & Giftet changed their name to Havsänglar (Angelshark, lit. Sea angels). Gigs at the "Spaghetti Companiet", Hannas Krog and the Pet Sounds Bar followed.

In 1993, Martin Roos moved to Stockholm, and soon the rest of the band did the same. Jocke Berg's brother Adam Berg came up with Kent as the band's new name. Kent played in Stockholm at Tanto and Hyndans Hörna, and in Uppsala at Kalmar Nation.