For the seventeenth time, the Way Out West took place in Gothenburg. Our author Louisa Zimmer was on site.
The Slottskogen Park in the center of Gothenburg is an urban Bullerbü: historic Swedish houses, extensive green areas, dense forest, small ponds and even moose can be found here. On a weekend of the year he becomes the stage of the largest Swedish festival: Way Out West. It is a special event for the Swedes, because international artists only appear in the capital Stockholm. In addition, sustainability is part of the festival concept: for years there has been only vegetarian food for years.
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The British songwriter opens on Thursday afternoon Nilüfer Yanya The festival with a calm set before the mood tilts. The most controversial volume of the hour plays in the tent: the Northern Irish trio Kneecap. Her appearance commutes between Palestine solidarity and provocation, danceable electric rap and aggressive beats. The crowd trembles in the moshpit, Palestine flags contractions, children sit on their parents’ shoulders. Sweden is known for his special freedom of expression, but here too the appearance was broadly discussed in the media. Then dedicate Fontaines DC. the friendly KnEecap her song “Favourite” while Beth Gibbons With a delicate “Glory Box” accompanied by strings creates a sensual opposite pole.
On Friday evening, teenagers await with dark -made eyes Yung Lean and Blade. In 2013, the then 17-year-old Leandoer played his first concert in Gothenburg before becoming a global rap phenomenon. Now he is standing on the main stage for the first time – in the solo part with a Palestinian cloth around his neck. The set alternates between common rapturers, blade high -pitch hyperpop and young leans melancholic songwriting.
A little later Charli XCX The main stage – almost thirty minutes late. She sings the songs from Brat in full length, the beats come from the canned food. The crowd dances out in the sea of cell phone cameras. For the remix of “360” she takes Yung Lean onto the stage.
While Charli XCX relies on minimalism, plays Chappell Roan A lovingly designed finale on Saturday evening. She performs against a fairytale -like backdrop, dressed like a witch that could live in the Swedish forests. Their exclusively female band, which gives the theatrical pop songs a rocky depth, is particularly convincing. In 90 minutes, the American singer proves that she is a star of world format – one that does not shine through perfection, but through authenticity.
For three days, the Way Out West with young pop stars up to icons shows how Iggy Pop and the Pet Shop Boyshow relaxed and smooth a festival with 78,000 visitors can run.
In addition to Lineup and sustainability, the various audience is the real peculiarity: families with children, teenagers, older visitors and people with disabilities celebrate peacefully with each other. This creates a unique atmosphere that combines Bullerbü idyll and pop-and at the same time invites you to think about world events.