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From 13 to 15 August, Gothenburg once again became the setting for Way Out West, one of Sweden’s leading cultural events, bringing together contemporary music, film, talks and a broad range of cultural programmes. Art Box Portal was officially accredited to cover the festival this year as well, with particular attention to its film and music programmes.

This year’s edition took place in an exceptionally vibrant atmosphere, with record-breaking audience interest. According to the organisers, Way Out West was completely sold out across all ticket categories for the first time in its 19-year history. The large audience, diverse programme and distinctive atmosphere of Slottsskogen once again demonstrated why the festival has become one of the most recognisable cultural events on the Nordic scene.

This year’s programme combined major international concerts with film premieres, talks and the relaunch of the festival’s talks stage, while the Stay Out West programme continued the festival atmosphere at venues across Gothenburg after the main programme in Slottsskogen.

Film: Siri Hustvedt documentary as Art Box favourite

The film programme was of particular interest to Art Box Portal. For years, Way Out West has developed a festival concept in which cinema is not simply an addition to the music programme, but an equally important part of the event. This year’s selection included feature films, documentaries and other film formats, alongside the launch of the new Flamingo film awards.

Among this year’s screenings, “Siri Hustvedt – Dance Around the Self”, directed by Sabine Lidl, stood out as the Art Box Portal favourite. The documentary follows the American writer and intellectual Siri Hustvedt, exploring questions at the heart of her literary and theoretical work – identity, the body, memory, art and how we understand ourselves and others.

For Art Box, it was precisely this combination of an intimate portrait and intellectual inquiry that made the documentary one of the most compelling film experiences of this year’s Way Out West. The screening in Gothenburg was also the film’s Nordic premiere.

Nick Cave, The Cure, Gorillaz, Lykke Li and Moby among the musical highlights

Once again, the music programme brought together major names from the international scene. The festival featured, among others, The Cure, Gorillaz, Lorde, Lykke Li, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Moby, The xx, Zara Larsson, Blood Orange and Four Tet.

For Art Box Portal, two of the most memorable concerts were those by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Moby.

Nick Cave once again demonstrated why his live performances possess an almost ritual intensity. His performance was powerful, emotional, and direct, marked by a particularly strong connection with the audience.

Moby brought a very different energy, but an equally compelling concert experience. His performance was one of those moments when different generations of audiences come together around music that has already become part of a shared cultural memory.

The organisers also highlighted several other memorable moments from this year’s edition, including Gorillaz, whose set ended with the anthem “Clint Eastwood”, as well as Zara Larsson’s only Swedish festival appearance of the year and many other moments created by artists and audiences throughout the three festival days.

A festival that goes beyond music

One of the greatest strengths of Way Out West is its ability to place music within a broader cultural context. Film, talks, contemporary social issues and different artistic forms are an integral part of the festival experience, alongside its major concerts.

This year’s edition featured the return of the talks stage, conversations with prominent artists and thinkers, film premieres and countless spontaneous encounters and moments created by the audience itself.

For Art Box Portal, which has been following the Nordic cultural scene for years, Way Out West is a particularly interesting example of a festival that successfully brings popular culture and a serious cultural programme together, without drawing a strict line between the two.

Three days in Slottsskogen once again demonstrated that the festival is more than a place to watch concerts and films. It becomes a temporary cultural space where artists, audiences, generations, and different ways of experiencing contemporary culture meet.

Way Out West will return to Gothenburg from 12 to 14 August 2027.