The Local's Swedish summer festival guide

From heavy metal to jazz and from pop to classical, Sweden’s roster of summertime musical festivals has something to suit all tastes.

• Top ten must-see Swedish music festivals (8 May 13)
• Swedish app lets 'everyone' write music (7 May 13)
• Youssou N'Dour scoops top Swedish music award (7 May 13)

Peace and Love – 22-27 June, Borlänge (Sweden)

Peace & Love is a festival in central Borlänge (Dalarna County) combining music, debates and lectures with the underlying themes of diversity, spirit of togetherness, and understanding. With an estimated 23,000 visitors and having been sold out every year since 2003, this popular festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Artists:

International performers at Peace and Love include August Burns Red, Bring Me The Horizon, Chris Cornell, Keane, Babyshambles, Mötley Crüe. Swedish and Nordic performers include Blindside, Jahcoustix, Lykke Li, Thomas Di Leva, Lars Winnerbäck, Moneybrother, Turbonegro, Opeth.

Prices:

Festival Pass – 1295 SEK (An extra 150 SEK to use the camping grounds)
Buy tickets


Metaltown – 26-27 June, Göteborg (Sweden)

Brief info in English

At the harbour pier in Gothenburg, Metaltown is a two-day festival featuring 33 hard rocking artists. In the summer of 2004 the festival had 5,000 visitors, and the organizaers are expecting over 10,000 this year.

Artists:

From well-known international artists such as Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Trivium, and Disturbed, to various Swedish bands such as Opeth, Mustasch, Bullet and Cult of Luna.

Prices:

Festival Pass (both days) – 1295 SEK
Buy tickets


Arvika Festival – 2-4 July, Arvika (Sweden)

Held in Arvika, this diverse music festival has drawn approximately 25,000 visitors to the area in past years.

Artists:

The festival features Swedish and Nordic performers such as The Sounds, Adam Heldring and Röyksopp, along with artists from the UK and US such as Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Santigold.

Prices:

Festival Pass – 1195 SEK
Single day tickets – from 595 SEK
Buy tickets


Roskilde Festival – 2-5 July, Roskilde (Denmark)

Roskilde Festival is the largest northern European culture and music festival and has existed since 1971. A non-profit organization, revenue from the festival is donated directly to humanitarian and cultural projects by The Roskilde Festival Charity Society. This year’s festival is estimated to bring in 100,000 visitors.

Artists:

Roskilde features artists from around the world, from Mali to Japan and Colombia, along with artists from the US, UK and Nordic countries: Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, Kanye West, Lily Allen, Adam Tensta, Huntsville, Amon Amarth, Trentemøller are among those performing.

Prices:

Festival Pass (including camping and parking) – 2600 SEK
Buy tickets


Hultsfred Festival – 8-11 July, Hultsfred (Sweden)

Hultsfred Festival is one of the best known Swedish music festivals and has been extended to a full 4-day programme this year. With camping grounds and multiple stages for performances, the festival has an estimated 25,000 visitors.

Artists:

As with most other Swedish musical festivals, there are a large number of artists from Sweden and Nordic countries combined with artists from the UK and US in the lineup. Performers include Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Ludacris, Dropkick Murphys, Kings of Leon, Timbuktu, Sahara Hotnights, Pilgrimz, Madcon and many more.

Prices:

Festival Pass – 1490 SEK
1-day tickets – 790 SEK
Buy tickets


Sonisphere Festival (Info only in Swedish) – 18 July, Hultsfred (Sweden)

The Sonisphere festival in Hultsfred in July is the Swedish component of the Sonisphere summer music festival series, taking place across Europe from June 2009 and showcasing the best in the fields of rock, heavy metal, punk and metalcore.

Artists:

Metallica, The Hives, Machine Head, Primal Scream, Mastodon, Cradle of Filth, Lamb of God, Anthrax, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Meshuggah, plus two more names to be announced.

Prices:

1-day ticket – ranging from 995 SEK to 1295 SEK (depending on camping/mobile home spaces)
Combination ticket Hultsfred + Sonisphere – 2250 SEK
Buy tickets


Way Out West – 13-15 August, Gothenburg (Sweden)

Way Out West is a music festival held in a large city park in Gothenburg, with an average of 25,000 visitors in past years. At the first festival in 2007, major acts such as Primal Scream, Regina Spektor and Kanye West were performing, and the tradition of attracting big name artists continues this year.

Artists:

This year’s line-up includes Arctic Monkeys, Band Of Horses, Crookers, Ladyhawke, Rise Against, Vampire Weekend, Wilco, Lilly Allen and Glasvegas. Though a minority, there are also Swedish artists performing such as Olle Ljungström and Jenny Wilson.

Prices:

Festival Pass – 1390 SEK
Youth Festival Pass (under 18, excludes clubs) – 1090 SEK
Buy tickets


Ung08 Festival (only in Swedish) – 11-15 August, Stockholm (Sweden)

Ung08 is one of the biggest youth festivals in Europe – the average age of attendees is 13 to 19 years old. Ung08 takes place in Kungsträdgården in Stockholm, and is a 5-day festival with many different activities, almost all of which are free.

Artists/Activities:

The festival offers discussion of issues such as weapons, war and street violence among young people through activities like themed crafts and meetings with local police. Performers include Swedish artists Adam Heldring, Alma, Hammarin & Robin, Sista Sekunden.


Music Festivals

Chamber Music, Jazz, Opera, Folk Music, Ballads, Wind Music, Electronic Music, Choir Music, Gospel, Organ Music, Pop & Rock, Early Music and more.

Examples: Stockholm Gospel Choir Festival, Kalottjazz & Blues Festival, Gotland Chamber Music Festival, Dalhalla Opera.
Music festivals


Extensive list of festivals in Sweden

Festival info