Like a phoenix from the ashes, Monsieurs Angello, Ingrosso, and Hedfors are once again re-inventing the wheel, as they embark on ‘Swedish House Mafia 3.0’, the post-’Paradise Again’ cycle of their lifespan as dance music’s greatest ever supergroup. From their origins as a fresh-faced and sweaty trident burning their way through a Pacha Ibiza residency, and global ascendancy via the MK Bowl and ‘One Last Tour’, right through to their iconic rebirth at Ultra Miami 2018, the Stockholm shows, and reunion of a global touring schedule post-album drop in 2022… This third reincarnation of the SHM is perhaps the most exciting to date.
Let’s analyse what this darker edge of the trilogy looks like for Ax, Steve, and Seb…
SUPERHUMAN
A Mafia imprint was always likely, given the stream of relentless success the trio have encountered via their iconic run of singles. However, it was only as recently as this year that the Scandinavians seized control of their own future by launching their very own record label, SUPERHUMAN MUSIC. No longer will the trident have to face the bureaucracy of loopholes and marketing challenges to drop the records they want to, WHEN they want to (yes, we’re looking at you, ‘Underneath It All’), and so this step means a much likelier trail of consistent features on our ‘release radar’, such as Ingrosso’s recent floorfiller, ‘A New Day’. Talking of which…
WAIT SO LONG
Yes, we’re referring to their recent (and impeccable) single of the same name, but furthermore, we may not have to ‘Wait So Long’ for all those incredible IDs which have been teased to us in recent times, including the iconic ‘Heaven Takes You Home’ set-ender which has proved the closing finale of most SHM sets for well over a year, now. We know the boys love to sit on a hot one to build anticipation (‘It Gets Better’ was a 26 month journey from first drop to streaming platforms), but without the stranglehold of label politics, the time now feels right for this one to drop as an end of Summer Swedish anthem, in the same way ‘Finally’ did in 2024.
ARTHUR ASHE
The forthcoming set at the World’s biggest tennis arena marks a step-up in stature for SHM, post-EDM ‘golden era’ (2010-2013). After (ambitiously) naming the ginormous 82,000 capacity Metrolife Stadium as their chosen New York venue for the Paradise Again tour, the trio were then forced to re-evaluate, thus opting for the 19,000 capacity Madison Square Garden, instead. Whilst MSG, in full iconic glory, is a true juggernaut of the arena world, the Swedish trio had previously played there in 2011. Now, branching out to the U.S Open’s 23,000 venue in Flushing Meadows, the growth in capacity signals not just uncharted territory, but a growth in fanbase for the group, who are set to bring their new production to Queens on 9/11.
TOUR TOUR TOUR
As was the case with ‘Paradise Again’, and the subsequent merch (of which, Ax seemed to be debuting a piece during his solo set at Tomorrowland), a new era most likely means a new album, which means a new tour. It would be no surprise (in fact, anything less may be something of a disappointment) to see the Swedish behemoth on the road once again in 2026, with a full worldwide tour, curling round from North America during Miami Music Week/Ultra, and dominating Europe through Summer, before heading further East into the Autumn. Brace those wallets, the next TOUR TOUR TOUR is coming…
But until then, we’ll continue to enjoy the closest indication of 3.0 we’ve been given so far; THAT set on the TML mainstage less than a fortnight ago…