Popaganda has become something of an institution in Stockholm, the pop fan’s dream that officially ends the festival summer.
The festival started out 15 years ago at Frescati, but for the last 10 years the location has been Eriksdalsbadet in the southernmost part of Södermalm. And the location is just perfect for the last hurrah of the summer, as the swimming pools contribute to the summery vibe – even in years like this when it’s already too cold for (most) festivalgoers to take a dip. Well at least the syncronized swimmers did dive in this year as well to perform their already traditional show – and we also saw a fun swim relay competition between festival organisers, artists, bloggers, podcasters, music media people and others.
Popaganda is organised by an association and it relies heavily on volunteers. The festival is cozy and you are bound to meet people you know – pop nerds and hipsters, teenagers and recycled teenagers. The food was all vegetarian this year and the festival even cooperated with a food rescue app to minimize waste. The festival area is small and there’s no need for endless walking between stages. The two stages alternate throughout the day so that when one stage finishes, the other kicks off – so no time wasted waiting either.
We sent out resident pop fanatic and photo enthusiast Nina Uddin to capture some of the best acts of the festival, so here you go – enjoy the photos:
![El Perro Del Mar started off the festival with her hauntingly beautiful songs](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_1904-1024x1024.jpg)
![Ana Diaz was shining as bright as the sun with her perfectly crafted pop tunes.](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_2398-1024x819.jpg)
![English indie rockers the Vaccines were entertaining and energetic](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_2571-819x1024.jpg)
![Léon was as classy as always with her smooth pop sensibilities](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_2935-1024x1024.jpg)
![Irish indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club's Alex Trimble striking a guitar pose](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_3266-683x1024.jpg)
![Joy packs a fiery punch and fierce rhythms in her brand of hip hop](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_3632-731x1024.jpg)
![Annika Norlin aka Säkert! (aka Hello Saferide) is certainly one of the most ingenious lyricists Sweden has to offer](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_3971-1024x819.jpg)
![Saturday's opening act Janice has international star quality in both her music and her style](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4124-1024x1024.jpg)
![Janice also brought out her bestie Sabina Ddumba on stage](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4290-1024x806.jpg)
![Sabina Ddumba's own set gave summery feels with laid-back rhythms](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4438-731x1024.jpg)
![More summer vibes thanks to the palm trees and the amazing backup singers from Tensta Gospel](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4455-1024x731.jpg)
![Thomas Stenström was called in to cover for Shura who cancelled (again)](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4803-1024x731.jpg)
![Men's synchronized swimming has become a staple of the Popaganda festival and is always a crowd pleaser](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4839-1024x819.jpg)
![Jonathan Johansson had an intense stage presence and a great groove to his music](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4887-1024x1024.jpg)
![As an added bonus, Jonathan brought out the amazing sisters Vaz as his backup singers](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_4853-1024x576.jpg)
![Internationally acclaimed pop sensation Astrid S charmed all the SKAM fans with her Norwegian banter](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_5364-1024x1024.jpg)
![Oskar Linnros's live energy had more punch than one could expect from his rather mellow sound](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_5551-1024x819.jpg)
![The amazing Skott mesmerized with her music regardless of the daylight settings that were less than optimal for her music](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_5928-1024x1024.jpg)
![Alt-J brought a clever light set-up to go along with their distinctive sound](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_6190-1024x575.jpg)
![One of Sweden's biggest popstars Tove Lo ended the festival with a cavalcade of her international hits](https://www.yourlivingcity.com/stockholm/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/MG_6422-819x1024.jpg)
All photos © Nina Uddin