Lygten Station is a small cultural centre and live music venue at Lygten 2 in Copenhagen’s Nordvest district, immediately beside Nørrebro Station. The main Stationssalen has a capacity of around 140 standing spectators, while the smaller Backstage and Sidesporet rooms accommodate approximately 30 and 40 seated guests respectively. The programme covers metal, rock, indie, experimental music, jazz, electronic music, comedy, film and other cultural events, with many concerts organised in cooperation with independent promoters and associations.

The building was constructed in 1906 as the Copenhagen terminus of the private København-Slangerup railway. Officially known as København L, it was designed in the National Romantic style by Heinrich Wenck, one of Denmark’s leading railway architects. The station contained a central hall surrounded by ticket offices, waiting rooms, a kiosk and other passenger facilities, while platforms and railway buildings extended behind it. At its busiest, the line carried around 1.5 million passengers annually, many travelling from Copenhagen towards Hareskoven and other recreational areas north-west of the city.

Lygten ceased functioning as a railway station in 1976, when the former Slangerup line was incorporated into Copenhagen’s S-train network through a new connection at Svanemøllen. The tracks and platforms were removed, and the building went through several different uses, including a period as a casino. It was listed for preservation in 1982, followed by a major restoration in 1983–84 that returned much of the exterior and interior to its earlier appearance. The former station later became a cinema before developing into the municipal cultural venue operating there today.

Metal has had a visible place in Lygten Station’s concert history, particularly through its association with Musikforeningen RIOT. During the 2010s, RIOT Concerts regularly used the venue for underground metal shows, bringing bands such as Dawn of Demise, Corpus Mortale, Deus Otiosus and Ferocity to the former station hall. Thrash, death metal and other heavier styles became a regular part of the programme, with the compact room, high ceiling and close proximity between bands and audience giving the concerts an intimate atmosphere.

Heavy music remains part of the programme today. Recent events have included S.L.E.M. showcases, concerts with Krapyl, Tilvidør and Symbolizer, and shows organised by newer promoter Echoes of Helheim, covering styles from alternative metal to thrash. The combination of a historic railway building, small capacity and long association with independent metal promoters gives Lygten Station a distinctive place within Copenhagen’s underground live music scene.

• Link
• Mail

ADDRESS:
Lygten 2, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark

Back to Copenhagen.