Since its launch in 2007, Gothenburg’s Way Out West has established itself as Sweden’s premier music festival. It is a real cultural institution that consistently balances international superstars with rising talent and Scandi sensibilities in a carefully curated mix spanning pop, hip hop, rock and experimental sounds.
The festival’s unique settings in the lush Slottsskogen park, complemented by the late-night club gigs of Stay Out West sets it apart, as do the festival’s commitment to sustainability and all-vegetarian food offerings. It is one of the most forward-thinking and distinctive cultural gatherings in Europe.
This year’s festival offered an eclectic line-up, which attracted a record crowd, a total of 78,000 unique visitors during the three festival days. We got to experience a lot of great music and photograph around 20 of the artists. Come with us, as we walk you through the days of Way Out West 2025.
Day One brings political protests
Day one of Way Out West was a Thursday, and there were lots of eager festival-goers at the gates in good time before the opening at 2pm, so with the security checks it took a while to get in. The music played by the first DJ at the Dungen stage greeted the crowds, as they walked in to the festival area and spread out across the park.
We headed out to the Linné tent to start our festival experience with the performance of Nillüfer Yanya and her band. The London-born singer-songwriter and guitarist brought her atmospheric indie rock sounds and understated yet soulful vocals to the stage. She created an immersive and emotionally charged live presence.
Next up on our schedule was Amaarae opening the second biggest Azalea stage. The Ghanaian-American singer, songwriter and producer blends afropop, R&B and electronic sounds. Her music sounds playful with her high-pitched voice, and she clearly has charisma that comes across also from that big stage.
One of the day’s most talked about artists took to the stage already at 4pm, Irish hip-hoppers Kneecap, who have been know for their pro-Palestine stance and whom the BBC famously chose not to broadcast live from the Glastonbury festival. The Linné tent was packed, and the crowds spread way beyond the tent. Palestinian flags were waving in the air and the crowd was eager to participate. The band condemned the Swedish government for their complicity in the killings of 80,000 people in Gaza in the past 21 months, criticizing Sweden for arming Israel and cutting funding to UNRWA. Amidst the drama, the band wanted to concentrate on the music and their performance was electrifying and intense.
Many other artists throughout the festival also took up the Palestine issue, including Daniela Rathana shouting Fria, fria Palestina, and Timbuktu holding a whole speech about the children in Gaza. And most notably Refused later on the Thursday evening… see below for more.
Next up, I headed to the Höjden stage, where Spotify brought out interesting up-and-coming artists throughout the festival. On stage was Sweden’s own Becky and the Birds, looking as elegant as she sounded. She writes, produces and performs her own music, and has crafted an innovative and experimental sound of her own. Complimenting her impeccable style and electronic sound-world on stage, she brought along her father to play the accordion, which was rather adorable.
Dublin-based Fontaines D.C. had pulled quite a sizeable crowd to the Azalea stage at this point, so it wasn’t an easy task to make my way to the other side of the stage for the photo pit. Once on stage, the band were serving their genre-blending alt-rock sounds. The more loyal fans in the front seemed to know every lyric, while the more casual festival-goers got swept up in the atmosphere.
But from there it was back to Höjden again, for Liverpool singer-songwriter Sophie Morgan Howarth’s darkly romantic alter ego Luvcat. She was serving a lovely vintage aesthetic and theatrical stage presence with her equally easy-on-the-eyes band. Her stage persona with cabaret-meets-goth stylings was rather Vicious Delicious, and she was engaging with the audience with her storytelling. The song material may not yet be quite up on the same extremely high level as the packaging, but it is highly enjoyable pop music and Luvcat is definitely one to watch.
Another hurried transition to the next photo opportunity, Iggy Pop on the largest Flamingo stage. The Godfather of Punk has really carved an influential legacy in rock history. At 76 years of age, he continues to bring such intensity to the stage that most younger performers can’t really match it. As he entered the stage, his shirt flew off in an instant to reveal his signature bare chest, looking increasingly wiry and crinkly, but still going strong. He remains physically raw and unpredictable.
After a little breather, it was time to head out to Queens of the Stone Age, the rockers led by Josh Homme. The band’s riff-driven rock builds on hypnotic repetition and the contrasts created by pounding rhythms and fuzzy guitars. QOTSA’s live presence widely rests on the charisma of Mr. Homme, while the band concentrates on delivering the grooves. They may have had their prime-success 20-odd years ago, but they remain vital and hard-hitting.
To round off the evening, we headed to the Linné tent once more, this time for Swedish hardcore legends Refused, who are playing their last shows before ending their illustrious career. We were supposed to see the band at Rosendal Garden Party last summer, but the singer Denniz Lyxzén suffered a heart attach days before. All the lights were turned off in the tent for quite some time, and then the stage was filled with Palestine activists bearing flags and banderols. The most poignant message was directed at the Swedish government, with several ministers pictured along with the message that they are complicit in genocide. After this powerful political manifesto, the band came on stage and pulled a full-energy gig with their signature sound. Lyxzén showed he has recovered, pulling off his usual antics with jumps and mic twirling, bringing the energy he is famous for.
Continue reading…
Way Out West Day 2
Way Out West Day 3
Text and photos: NINA UDDIN
