Malmö Live Concert AB

A modern cultural block on the canal

Malmö Live Concert AB sits within the larger Malmö Live complex, a contemporary city block on Universitetsholmen between the historic center and the redeveloped harbor. Conceived as a new meeting place for music and congresses, the development transformed former harbor land into a cultural hub with concert halls, hotel, conference facilities, housing, and offices. The ensemble of cubic volumes in warm brick tones creates a sculptural skyline that locals sometimes call “Malmhattan”, a nod to the emerging cluster of tall buildings along the canal. The concert and congress complex opened in 2015 after an international design competition. Renowned architects shaped the facades to read as one cohesive sculpture, while careful attention to scale allows the large buildings to sit comfortably beside older warehouses, canals, and bridges. Large windows open views to the water and city, so even before a performance the building feels connected to Malmö’s everyday life.

Home of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra

At the heart of Malmö Live Concert AB is the main concert hall, purpose‑built for the Malmö Symphony Orchestra. Seating around 1,600 listeners, the space was engineered with refined acoustics to suit a full symphony, from the softest strings to the power of brass and percussion. Warm wood surfaces, terraced balconies, and adjustable acoustic elements help shape the sound for different styles of music. The Malmö Symphony Orchestra brings together around 90 musicians from many countries, presenting a broad classical repertoire throughout the season. Alongside major symphonic works, the hall also hosts film‑music evenings, guest soloists and conductors, and collaborations that blend classical music with jazz, world, or contemporary genres. With rehearsal rooms, green rooms, and side stages integrated into the building, the venue functions as a full‑scale home base for the orchestra.

More than one stage: Kuben and beyond

Beyond the main hall, Malmö Live Concert AB includes several flexible venues that allow for an unusually diverse program. Smaller spaces like Kuben and canal‑side stages accommodate everything from jazz clubs and chamber music to experimental projects, intimate songwriter evenings, and talks. The building’s design encourages movement between spaces, so a single visit might mean a symphony in the big hall followed by a more informal set elsewhere. Across the wider Malmö Live block, a congress center with a large hall for around 1,500 participants hosts conferences, cultural events, and corporate gatherings. The adjacent high‑rise hotel adds restaurants, bars, and a skybar with far‑reaching views over the city and Öresund. Together, these elements make the area feel lively on both event nights and ordinary weekdays.

Architecture, atmosphere and urban setting

Architecturally, Malmö Live combines contemporary clarity with tactile detail. The brick‑clad cubes are slightly rotated and varied in height to echo the surrounding street grid, while interior spaces shift from airy foyers with tall glass facades to more intimate wood‑lined corridors near the halls. Public foyers spill out toward the canal and nearby plazas, where outdoor seating appears in milder months and the canal reflects the building’s lights after dark. The complex stands within easy walking distance of Malmö Central Station, Malmöhus Castle, Slottsparken, and the compact old town streets. Bridges connect the block to neighboring university buildings, museums, and courts, so the concert hall feels embedded in a wider cultural and civic landscape. Before or after performances, many visitors combine a concert with a stroll along the water or a meal in the nearby restaurant clusters around Lilla Torg and the harbor.

Experiencing an evening at Malmö Live

An evening here usually begins in the foyer, where coat checks, bars, and ticket desks are arranged around open staircases and views to the canal. The crowd is often a mix: families heading to children’s events, concert‑goers dressed for a symphony, and locals dropping by for a jazz set or after‑work gathering. Inside the main hall, seating tiers circle the stage in warm, intimate proximity, giving many seats a feeling of closeness to the musicians. On nights without a major concert, the complex can feel more relaxed, with smaller events, exhibitions, or community activities taking place in side rooms. With its mix of public spaces, performance venues, and hospitality, Malmö Live Concert AB functions as both a cultural powerhouse and a casual meeting point, anchoring Malmö’s contemporary identity on the edge of the old harbor.