1 of 4Photo: Pontus Lundahl / TT
It is important to be prepared for everything. Sandstorms, injuries or fallen comrades must not stop a field artist.
– We will raise the battle value and morale. Our mission is to nurture the staff, says Maria Almlöv, chairman of the Armed Forces’ field artists.
Sweden is the only country in the world with an organized field artist activity linked to the defense. Maria Almlöv describes their assignment as “a little boy valve”.
– We create a place where emotions can come out. A laugh in a stressful situation is worth so much.
But it is not just laughter and partying that are the field artists’ mission. They must be prepared to entertain even in difficult times.
– It has happened that the field artists have come in when something serious has happened, such as someone falling. We would never back down from such a mission. We must also be there in sorrow and despair. We have a mission to provide comfort and relief.
– But we are used to dealing with the moments when people have always chosen to have music – from party to funeral.
Must be recommended
Today, there are around 700 field artists, half of whom are active. New recruitment has suffered during the pandemic. Maria Almlöv emphasizes that the field artist is not an assignment for everyone. And for those who are interested, it’s not just about raising your hand.
– You must be a professional artist, musician, comedian or technician and be recommended by someone who is a member. You must also have references from two members.
In addition, safety tests and health checks are performed before certain interventions, and then diseases and old sins can put a stop to participation.
Maria Almlöv has been a field artist since 2010 and what she thinks has changed the most is the training and the exercises.
– They have really been designed so that they reflect what you are going to do. All day there is green training and then we play in the evening. In the evenings we are faced with scenarios you can end up in.
– It can be a sandstorm that makes us unable to use the instruments, but still have to maintain. You solve the situation.
Needs protection
Among the field artists are musicians and comedians, known and unknown, but also sound and light techniques. Being able to behave in difficult circumstances is just one of all the challenges they face.
The field artists also train to be escorted and to obey orders such as lying down, hustling or running – without question. It’s for everyone’s safety.
– We should be as small a burden as possible in a sharp situation, says Maria Almlöv who, among other things, has been to Afghanistan as a field artist.
– There you were not allowed to go anywhere without an escort, except inside the “camp”. We are a burden on security. We have nothing and need protection.
Another challenge may be to face an international audience. Maybe not a problem for those who are going to tear down “Waterloo” but well for a comedian who has to change his stand-up routine to English.
A field artist must also relate to the Armed Forces’ values. It is important to think about when choosing songs and jokes, it can be a challenge in itself for, for example, comedians who are used to taking turns.
– “Highway to hell” goes well – you have to drive it – but not “Sunday bloody sunday”.
In her civilian artist life, Maria Almlöv has toured extensively in the United States as a member of an ABBA cover band. The difference from the assignment as a field artist is enormous when she changes the white stage costume for the defense’s green clothes.
– Field artists take care of everything themselves. We carry, advise, put together groups, make sure that everyone is vaccinated. As a field artist, there is nothing on the map that does not help.
Facts
The songs that work in the field
The field artists’ repertoire is a mixture of classic cover songs and what is on the lists. Songs should suit several age groups and not violate the defence’s values. These are some songs that according to Maria Almlöv always raise the mood:
Highway to hell – AC / DC
Calleth you, cometh I – The Ark
With a little help from my friends – The Beatles
Viva la vida – Coldplay
You have – Rammstein
In another part of the world – Freda ‘
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Defense field artists
The field artists are part of the Swedish voluntary movement with the task of supporting the Armed Forces with personnel care in the form of music and artistry.
The field artists have their origins in the years of preparedness. During World War II, it was difficult to get entertainment for the defense because many artists were stuck in their contracts. It gave birth to the idea of making the artists part of the defense.
In 1953, the Armed Forces ‘field artist corps was formed, which later became the Armed Forces’ field artists ‘association and today is called the Armed Forces’ field artists.
Alice Babs was the field artists’ first chairman, an assignment that her daughter Titti Sjöblom also had.
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