Antonio and Berta Manchón travelled all the way from southern Spain to Västra Sörby to see their favorite artist perform. They expected an arena like concert, but were pleasantly surprised by the intimate venue they met at Kackelstugan.
The Melodifestivalen winner and Eurovision star Cornelia Jakobs ended Kackelstugan’s season this Friday. When Sarah Klang’s and Ellen Krauss’ gig on Saturday was cancelled because of illness, Cornelia Jakobs’ sold out indoors gig got to finish off Kackelstugan’s season. A gig that attracted super fans from not only the entire country, but also the rest of Europe.
Over 200 people were gathered in the sweaty indoors barn and the audience’s energy was on top throughout the entire gig. Cornelia has both a wide audience, as well as a tight, loyal group of fans who welcomes her when she, at first seemingly shy and humble, entered the stage.
The concert was divided into two sets. One toned down acoustic set to start slowly. Then she ended the evening with great power and energy, accompanied by an entire band behind her. Already around the second song in the gig’s first set, was the initial shyness gone, and Cornelia does an amazing gig with her incredible voice. A worthy season finale as one of the last artist to perform at Öland in the summer of 2022.
Berta Manchón travelled all the way from south west Spain, 20 kilometers outside Seville, to Västra Sörby and Kackelstugan, together with her dad Antonio Manchón for the Friday concert. A trip that started with a flight to Stockholm, to then continue by train via Linköping to Kalmar and bus to Borgholm. Then they took a taxi to finally arrive at Kackelstugan. Everything to see their big idol Cornelia Jakobs perform on home ground.
“It’s a big opportunity for me and her to take a trip as father and daughter”
– Cornelia is the biggest reason why we came here, but we also get to see a new place. I really like it here, says Berta Manchón.
– It’s a big opportunity for me and her to take a trip as father and daughter, adds Antonio Manchón.
Howcome you started listening to Cornelia Jakobs?
– I knew she participated in Melodifestivalen, but I didn’t like her at first. But I hadn’t listened to her song. This year was so big for Spain in Eurovision. For the first time we had a really good song and I was so upset when she was selected because she was a really big competition for us. But then one week after she won Melodifestivalen, I decided to listen to her song and the performance. And I really liked it, says Berta Manchón.
What is it about her music that you like the most?
– The lyrics or course. Also her voice, it’s amazing and so special.
Do you have a favorite song?
– Yes, “Dream Away“. And “Rise“. I think she will perform both today. I’m really looking forward for her performance.
After one night at a hotel in Borgholm, Berta and Antonio will once again get on a train and travel home. This time via Copenhagen, Kastrup.
– It’s amazing and unlikely. I can’t really wrap my head around it, says the organizer, Pelle Alderstam.
– To do a gig with 15000 people on a field or meet one person who comes here with her daughter from Spain, and have been travelling by bus, train and taxi only to see this. This is what it’s all about and it’s what gives me as an organizer the drive to continue with this, he continues.
But Antonio and Berta are not the only ones who travelled far this evening. Six hours before the concert started, a group of fifteen super fans from all around Sweden, were standing and waiting to enter Kackelstugan. They have gotten to know each other on Twitter and other social media platforms, where they have been following Cornelia’s summer tour gig by gig.
– Her music is great and it’s made it possible for me to meet so many nice people. We’re all super huge fans, says Smilla Ohlsson from the group who has organized a meet up for the concert.
– It’s insane, cause none of us would’ve met if it wasn’t for her. We come from all around Sweden and all of us thinks that she is absolutely amazing, adds another one from the group.
During the concert, Berta was united with Smilla and company. In the front row, they were all responsible for the singalong that continued through the entire concert. Cornelia maintained her humility and interacted with the audience throughout the entire concert, and for Berta and Antonio, she translated to English, when she talked between her songs.
By: Joacim Andersson
Translated by: Li Carlstensen
Photo: @liindahb
