The popular band first broke through in Sweden with If you think you know how to love me in 1975 and spent several months in the charts the following year with the mega-hit Living next door to Alice. They continued to deliver hits well into the 90s and have built a devoted following in many parts of the world. The last time the band played at Karlstad CCC was in March 2019, when the concert sold out long in advance. The entire Sweden tour that year was a huge success.
Since then, bassist Terry Uttley has sadly passed away. He is now replaced by Luke Bullard, the son of keyboardist Martin Bullard. Luke has been filling in for Terry on a regular basis over the last few years and is therefore already well known to fans. Martin Bullard, together with drummer Steve Pinnell, has been in Smokie since 1988. In 2021, Mike Craft chose to retire after 26 years as lead singer, he has now been replaced by a good and old friend of the band, Peter Lincoln. Peter is also the frontman of Sweet, formerly of Sailor and has worked with several international stars such as Sir Cliff Richard, Tina Turner and Shakin Stevens. Mick McConell plays guitar and mandolin and has done so since 1996. The new line-up performed its first concerts in Helsingborg and Malmö in November 2021, to full houses and enthusiastic audiences. Many say the band has never been as good as it is now.
Sweden remains one of the countries that means the most to the band and that's why they continue to come back here to meet their enthusiastic audience, year after year. They've sold millions of albums in Sweden alone, and they bring all their old songs with them, as well as some new material.
Karlstad CCC is is one of the largest and most modern conference venues in Scandinavia. With its 18 000 square meters meeting space and 18 conference halls ranging in capacity from 8 to 1604 guests, its the ideal location for your next congress, convention or corporate event. Restaurant Karl IX, with a capacity of 1400 seated guests, is one of only a few eco-certifies restaurants in Sweden. The main conference hall holds up to 1604 guests and is one of the largest, purpose built convention halls in Sweden. Just outside Karlstad CCC you will find a 700 square meter pier which is ideal for outside dinners, receptions and barbeque parties in the summer time. Karlstad CCC is centrally located in the city, just a short walk from the train station. Karlstad Airport is a mere 15 minutes away by taxi/bus. Within 10 minutes walking distance you will find 1000 of the total 1500 hotel/hostel rooms that are available in the city.
Karlstad CCC
Tage Erlandergatan 8A, 65220 Karlstad
