Way Out West is a three-day music festival located in Gothenburg, Sweden. The festival takes place in the lush greenery of Slottsskogen park, which translates to “castle forest” in English.
Established in 2007, the Way Out West festival began as a weekend event hosted at multiple club venues around the city. By 2012, it had grown so popular that it became a fully fledged festival. Today, it’s one of the biggest festivals in Scandinavia, and this year it will host artists like Tame Impala, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Caribou.
How Music Festivals Influence Culture
Music festivals appear in all sorts of media, including films, video games, and even music itself. Films like Wayne’s World 2 (1993) and Woodstock (1969) portray the mystical experience of music festivals whilst showcasing excellent music. On the other hand, iGaming websites have taken it upon themselves to craft titles designed for festival lovers, such as ZZ Top: Roadside Riches. Undoubtedly, the people most enthusiastic about music festivals tend to be musicians, DJs and event coordinators. Going to festivals exposes them to new music and helps them make original and thoughtful work inspired by what they experience there.
Entertainment aside, music festivals have been important in the fashion world, too. This tradition goes back to the 60s, when Woodstock goers sold tie-dyed clothing to wear at the festival. Since then, eccentric outfits have become a crucial part of the whole experience. Festival attendees go above and beyond to deliver unique looks, like crochet jumpsuits, sparkly tutus, and Western fringe jackets.
All in all, music festivals are an exciting place to be. However, they do require some planning ahead. Below are a few tips that will make it easy to prepare for your next visit.
1. Sort Out the Journey
If you’re outside of Europe, flying to Stockholm is the most efficient way to get to Gothenburg. Afterwards, there is a festival train to Gothenburg, which takes about three hours. There are also standard SJ trains for anyone to take if you want to go earlier.
Meanwhile, you can fly directly to Gothenburg if you’re in Europe. Major European cities like Barcelona, Paris, and London all have flight options to the city.
2. Reserve a Room
Once you have sorted out your journey to Gothenburg, you should also figure out where to stay. Unlike festivals like Bonnaroo and FireFly, Way Out West doesn’t allow camping. Instead, festival organizers encourage people to reserve hotel rooms or Airbnbs for their stay.
Way Out West is a world-renowned festival that brings in thousands of people both domestic and from abroad, so it’s essential to reserve your accommodation early. Prices tend to go up as the date gets closer, so act quickly.
3. Pack Appropriately
Since Way Out West is an outdoor festival, packing for the weather is essential. It rains a good deal in Gothenburg, so a raincoat and boots are necessary. Additionally, like the rest of Sweden, Gothenburg gets pretty cold at night. Remember to pack layers of clothes to stay warm when the sun goes down.
Besides clothing items, some other festival essentials include water bottles, sunscreen, and cleansing wipes. They are little things, but they’ll make all the difference.
Once you’ve got everything ready, you’re set for your festival experience. Many people hesitate to bring backpacks, fearing they’ll have to carry them all day. Fortunately, Way Out West has wardrobes and storage units, so you can pack as much as you need and leave it in a safe place.
4. Check Out the Sets
With everything in order, look at the days when your favourite artists are playing. Way Out West has five stages; Azalea, Flamingo, Linné, Dungen and Höjden. You can find out which stage each artist is playing by looking at the Way Out West line-up.
The biggest stages, Azalea and Flamingo, are in the middle of the park. They are reserved for prominent, headliner artists. Then, there is Linné, which is inside a tent to create a 24/7 club environment. Additionally, the open-air Dungen stage showcases dance music, principally from DJs, including Peggy Gou, Jon Hopkins, and Studio Barnhus. Höjden, the newest stage, remains a surprise for festival-goers.
Final Thoughts
Way Out West is an unforgettable music experience. To fully enjoy it, it’s best to sort out all the logistics ahead of time. Prepare those over-the-top festival looks, but also make sure to bring the essentials so you stay comfortable.
Above all, remember to have fun and enjoy the experience!
