Hello there,
Time has come for this blog to get a little well-earned holiday. To go fishing, camping, swimming. Eat pickled herring, drink snaps, hang out at Ingmar Bergman’s Fårö. Dance around naked singing the Wicker Man theme.
You know, Swede stuff.
But before that, let’s figure out which festivals to attend! I’m playing live at some and DJing at others, but really I think I’d go either way because in recent years Swedish festivals have really stepped up their game.
There are more of them and they aim a lot higher. They are bigger (or smaller) and better. (And sometimes faster and harder but I don’t go to those).
Just take Gothenburg’s Way Out West for example. It was recently chosen by Time Out Magazine as one of the five hottest festivals in Europe. And with Prince, Kanye West and Robyn topping the bill, who can blame them?
Aside from Way Out West, here are a few other ones you shouldn’t miss – and some (Swedish) reasons as to why not:
Peace And Love
28 June – 2 july, Borlänge
Go there for:
Oskar Linnros, Lykke Li, Those Dancing Days
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJaFgeLTYgY
Oskar Linnros Från Och Med Du
(And if you want it translated, go here for a recent cover of that very song, in English by Magnus Carlsson and The Moon Quartet. And them you can see live at Hultsfred, below).
Non Swede-bonus: Oh, and Bob Dylan is coming….
Putte i Parken
6-9 Juli, Karlskoga
Go there for: Syket, Veronica Maggio, Peter Bjorn And John
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZtSnXwcd4
Syket Let It Heal
Arvikafestivalen
14-16 July, Arvika
Go there for:
First Aid Kit, Museum of Bellas Artes, The Concretes (yes that’s me)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8jIb74ldpg
First Aid Kit Hard Believer
Hultsfredfestivalen
14 – 16 July, Hultsfred
Go there for:
The Tallest Man On Earth, The Sound Of Arrows, This Is Head
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG2ccH8jlCA
The Tallest Man On Earth Where Do My Bluebird Fly
Also, listen to a brand new and very pretty song by Kristian Matsson (TTMOE) here. Judging by the lyrics the song may be called There Is No Leaving Now (but There Is No Way Of Knowing That For Sure).
This remains the indie festival to end all indie festivals.
It’s a lovely little thing and usually a great place to catch bands early.
Go there for:
jj, Daniel Adams-Ray, This Is Head
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71PrWLvO7Z8
Daniel Adams-Ray Gubben i Lådan
Storsjöyran
28-30 July, Östersund
Go there for:
Veronica Maggio, Niki & The Dove, Håkan Hellström
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZwz3yxS9I
Veronica Maggio Jag Kommer
Also, you can donload Niki & The Doves The Fox for free here.
Popagandafestivalen
26-27 August, Eriksdalsbadet Stockholm
This is one of my favourites. We played last year and it’s just so nice and civilized and always a brilliant lineup. Not to mention it’s in my home town!
Go there for:
(More bands to be announced but Swedes confirmed so far are) Lykke Li and Those Dancing Days.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Hz2TEWW18
Lykke Li I Follow Rivers
That’s all for now. So long folks, I might see you in a Swedish forest soon but until then I’ll leave you with this and my wishes for a wonderful summer for each and all!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCwHku2_WJ0
