The end of an era

A much used phrase but in this case absolutely accurate. Ten years ago "Mats and Karins" opened the doors to music concerts in their home. What they refer to as their "living room" was turned into the concert venue with room for an audience of around 125. The tiny stage was a little small for some of the groups but both the performers and the audience loved the venue, which was often sold out far in advance. Groups and artists who normally play to audiences of several hundreds, or even thousands enjoyed having a small audience just a meter or two away.
Apparently Mats och Karin (pictured) never needed to look for acts to fill their "living room", instead the musicians came to them and asked to perform. It probably helped that touring groups in Sweden tend to start in the south and move north up this long thin land. If they played here they were between Sundsvall and Umeå, and they got to stay here after the concert, instead of driving off to a impersonal hotel. Mats is a technician in the music business, so he knew many of the musicians. They have featured on Blipfoto a couple of times before.
Then came Covid. No more concerts for something over two years. And both Mats and Karin decided it was time to move on to other things. So there have been three final gigs, of which this was the last.
It was wonderful to have been here. Anders F Rönnblom and Bravado Bravado have played here more-or-less once a year since Mats och Karin opened their doors. They play rock with a lot of attack with few pauses for chat. (Anders F has been playing rock since 1970 and is still in fine form at 76!) We in the audience loved it and they could have played much more for us, but like the professionals they are they wound us up, and then wound us down to a happy finish just before midnight!
Mats and Karins is way out of town and only 3 kms from our house, so we could walk there and back and both enjoy a drink while we listened to the music. Now that privilege has gone, but it was fun while it lasted. I can only wish the very best to Mats and to Karin in their future lives and say a huge thank you for all the happiness you have given to so many people!