Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead
Volunteer-run jazz and world-music association energising Roskilde’s Musicon district with intimate concerts, creative collaborations and open jam sessions.
Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead is a vibrant jazz and world‑music association based in Roskilde’s creative Musicon district. From its base on Penselstrøget, the volunteer‑run organisation curates modern jazz concerts, global sounds and intimate jam sessions in collaboration with nearby venues such as KunstSmedjen and other cultural spaces. Expect close‑up performances, experimental projects and a strong community feel that has helped carve out a fresh live‑music scene beyond Copenhagen’s larger stages.
A brief summary to Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead
- Penselstrøget 14, Roskilde, 4000, DK
- +4522673660
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Budget
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Indoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Check the program in advance, as concerts rotate between Musicon venues and start times vary depending on the artist and format.
- Arrive a little early for popular acts to secure a good seat in the often intimate, free-seating rooms.
- Bring cash or a card for entrance and refreshments; ticket prices can differ from show to show.
- Jam sessions are ideal for musicians travelling with instruments—confirm whether backline or sign-up lists are provided.
- Combine an evening concert with a stroll through the surrounding Musicon district to see its repurposed industrial spaces and street art.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Regional train and local bus from Copenhagen
From Copenhagen Central Station, take a regional train to Roskilde Station; departures are frequent and the ride usually takes 25–30 minutes. A standard adult single ticket costs roughly 80–100 DKK, and the same ticket is valid on Roskilde buses within the time limit. From Roskilde Station, continue by local bus toward the Musicon district, which typically adds 10–15 minutes depending on the line and waiting time. Buses run regularly during the day and evening on weekdays and slightly less frequently on weekends.
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Bus or on foot from central Roskilde
If you are already in central Roskilde, you can reach the Musicon area and Penselstrøget by local bus in about 5–10 minutes, with an adult ticket usually costing around 24–30 DKK within the city fare zone. Services tend to be more frequent in the afternoon and early evening, which aligns well with concert start times. Walking from Roskilde Station or the old town to Musicon is also realistic for many visitors and takes roughly 20–30 minutes along generally flat urban streets, though surfaces can include cobblestones and uneven sections that may be less comfortable for some mobility aids.
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Car or taxi within the Roskilde area
Arriving by car from within Roskilde or nearby suburbs typically takes 5–15 minutes depending on traffic. The Musicon district offers a mix of public parking areas, though spaces can be busier on evenings with multiple events, so allow extra time. Taxi rides from Roskilde Station to Musicon usually last 5–10 minutes, with fares commonly in the range of 90–140 DKK depending on time of day and traffic conditions. Late-night services remain available but may involve slightly longer waits after concerts finish.
Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead
A grassroots engine for Roskilde’s live jazz
Rytmisk Musikforening Steps Ahead is a non‑profit music association dedicated to modern jazz and world music in Roskilde. Founded to strengthen the city’s live scene, it focuses on rhythmic genres and adventurous programming rather than mainstream pop. From its base at Penselstrøget 14 in the Musicon district, the association functions as curator, organiser and host, inviting both established performers and younger talents onto local stages. At the heart of its work is a simple idea: to bring musicians and listeners together in a setting small enough for real musical dialogue. Instead of cavernous halls, concerts are typically held in intimate rooms where unamplified instruments can still be heard, improvisations feel immediate and the barrier between artist and audience is thin.Concerts shaped by jazz and global sounds
The program leans heavily toward contemporary jazz, often with influences from Nordic traditions, African rhythms, Latin grooves or Indian classical music. One evening might feature a piano trio exploring odd meters and ambient soundscapes; another could focus on percussion‑driven world‑jazz or tightly arranged horn sections. Many performances are project‑based and original, giving the stage to new compositions rather than familiar standards. The scale of events typically encourages experimentation. Musicians can test new material, stretch solos, or invite guest players without worrying about stadium‑style production. For visitors, it is a chance to hear music that usually belongs on festival bills, yet in a compact setting where every cymbal stroke and bass note is distinct.Creative surroundings in the Musicon district
Steps Ahead is part of Roskilde’s Musicon quarter, a former industrial area gradually transformed into a cultural neighbourhood. Around Penselstrøget you will find workshops, rehearsal rooms, independent studios and other creative initiatives. The association often collaborates with KunstSmedjen and nearby spaces, so a concert here feels woven into a wider artistic landscape of visual arts, design and performance. The surroundings contribute to the atmosphere: raw brick, repurposed industrial details and flexible stages make the district feel informal and experimental. Before or after a show, you can explore other corners of Musicon, where you may come across rehearsal sound leaking out of a door or a sculpture tucked between converted warehouses.Jam sessions and a close-knit community
Beyond ticketed concerts, Steps Ahead is known for arranging recurring jam sessions. These gatherings open the floor to local musicians, students and visiting players who want to test ideas or simply meet peers. The association’s rhythmic focus means sessions might drift from straight‑ahead swing into fusion, world‑jazz or groove‑based improvisation as the night unfolds. Listeners are welcome even if they do not play themselves. The informal structure of a jam makes it easy to sense how jazz works from the inside: themes are introduced, solos passed around, and ensembles re‑shaped from tune to tune. Over time, these evenings have helped knit together a small but committed community of performers and enthusiasts in Roskilde.Planning your evening with Steps Ahead
As an organiser rather than a fixed seated hall, Steps Ahead uses different venues and formats across the year. Entrance fees vary depending on the artist and production level, but are generally accessible compared with large metropolitan clubs. To make the most of a visit, it is worth checking which venue is hosting on a given night, how seating works and whether the performance is fully acoustic or amplified. Most events are scheduled in the evening, allowing time to combine a concert with a meal in Roskilde or a wander through Musicon beforehand. Expect a relaxed, conversational mood rather than rigid formality: coats on the backs of chairs, musicians chatting with listeners between sets and a sense that everyone present—whether on stage or off—has come primarily for the music.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Bronzestien - Køge Ås
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Køge St.
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Unmissable attractions to see
RAGNAROCK- Museet for pop, rock og ungdomskultur
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Museum of Contemporary Art
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Musicon-bydelen
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Roskilde Jars
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Håndværksmuseet
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Hestebrønden
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Skt. Laurentius
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Helligkors Kilde
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Stændertorvet
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Byens Hus
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Ledreborg Allé (Ringstedvej), 4000 Roskilde, Dania
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Roskilde Museum
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Rektorkilden
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Essential places to dine
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Restaurant That's Amore
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Namaste - Restaurant Roskilde
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Restaurant Upstairs
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Royal Indian - Roskilde
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An No
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Experience authentic Danish cuisine at An No in Roskilde - where local flavors meet contemporary dining.
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Piazza Navona II
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Bryggergården
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Rib House
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Restaurant Mumm I/S
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Viking Pizza Roskilde
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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KLUD
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Outlet Køge
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Tendens Køge
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Miss O
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BOSS Outlet
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Ringsted Outlet
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Lively
- Entertaining
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Industrial Designs
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Art & Design
- Industrial
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
- Low Impact
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Day Trip
- Festival / Event Nearby
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Business Friendly
