Yet another year at Way Out West 2015

Time for yet another visit to Way Out West, the annual outdoor city festival in Gothenburg. At first the lineup seemed a bit sparse, but it actually turned out to be great.

Groove in the grove.

The very first concert of the three-day festival actually turned out to be one of the best, as Savages opened up the small tent scene with an assault of post-punk ruckus. The amazing lead singer Jehnny Beth worked furiously to wake up the sleepy audience, and boy did she succeed.

Savages live.

Some of the acts this year were directed at us old-timers, such as the derelict duo Pet Shop Boys. Last time I saw them was in 2009, and it’s safe to say that all three of us has seen a bit of mileage since then.

Ratatat goes all in with the lasers.

I also enjoyed the guitar mayhem of Ride and the dreamy Sun Kil Moon (borderline-offensive Mark Kozelek, who refused to play Heron Blue for us). Other memorable gigs were Zhala, Susanne Sundför, Alt-J, Father John Misty, Future Islands, Beck and The War On Drugs.

Waiting for the next band at Stay Out West.

A nice surprise was the relocation of the Stay Out West concept. The club feature used to be a tedious affair with long queues, but by moving most of the action to remote areas it went quite smoothly this year. I managed to see Urban Cone, Ratatat, Deportees and more during the wee hours.

The rides with overcrowded buses and trams during these hours were an experience in itself, filled to the brim with slightly intoxicated yet happily singing crowds.

Choose wisely.

I counted a total of 36 bands being seen in varying degree of attendance. Not bad for a weekend.