At this year’s Polar Music Prize ceremony, held on Tuesday, May 27 at Stockholm’s prestigious Grand Hôtel and broadcast live on Sweden’s TV4, rock fans were treated to a stunning performance of QUEEN’s iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Swedish metal juggernaut GHOST teamed up with OPETH’s acclaimed guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and the renowned Eric Ericson Chamber Choir to pay tribute to the legendary British band.
The evening wasn’t just about this standout moment; the ceremony celebrated groundbreaking artists from across the musical spectrum. This year’s honorees included QUEEN, American jazz visionary Herbie Hancock, and Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan. Their contributions to music were recognized with the prestigious Polar Music Prize, accompanied by one million Swedish Krona each (approximately £74,082 GBP or $93,897 USD).
In a night filled with star-studded performances, Adam Lambert, who has toured globally with Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor as part of QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT for over a decade, delivered a rousing performance. Swedish stars Miriam Bryant and former SKID ROW frontman Erik Grönwall, along with celebrated jazz talents Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, and Leo Genovese, also graced the stage. Professionally filmed videos of the evening’s standout performances, including those by GHOST, Lambert, and Grönwall, are now available for fans to enjoy.
The Polar Music Prize has, for over 30 years, recognized artists whose contributions have reshaped the landscape of music, both contemporary and classical. QUEEN, whose impact on rock and pop culture is immeasurable, expressed their gratitude in a heartfelt statement: “We are highly and deeply honored to be given the Polar Music Prize this year. It’s incredible, thank you so much.”
Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, shared her enthusiasm for this year’s recipients:
“It is our immense privilege to honor and award these three Laureates at the 2025 Polar Music Prize. QUEEN, a band synonymous with the very fabric of pop culture, have made an impact on music that spans decades, generations, and genres. They are a most deserving recipient, beloved the world over.”
QUEEN’s influence continues to resonate globally, their legacy rejuvenated by the phenomenal success of their 2018 biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, which captured the band’s rise and the charisma of frontman Freddie Mercury, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing music biographical film in history.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.