Since the days of ABBA, it’s been well known that the Scandi music scene is one to watch - and the music festivals on offer in the Nordic region are showstopping events you can’t miss. From Iceland to Denmark, visit one of these Scandinavian music festivals for a cultural experience you’ll never forget.
Way Out West, Sweden
In industrial-chic port city Gothenburg, Way Out West is a summer music extravaganza that’s definitely worth a visit. Held in the beautifully landscaped park Slottskogen, near the botanical garden, over 30, 000 music lovers attend every August. With over 120 different artists attending from around the world, 2018 saw performances from Arctic Monkeys, Patti Smith and Grizzly Bear. There’s also a whole host of other attractions on offer, including award-winning vegetarian food from all over the world. When performances end at the main festival site, its sister festival Stay Out West takes over, bringing music to diverse locations all over the city, from shipping warehouses to old theatres.
Secret Solstice, Iceland
With its otherworldly landscape, there’s no better place to hold an outdoor music festival than ethereal island Iceland. Taking inspiration from the famous midnight sun of the far north, Secret Solstice takes advantage of the 24-hour sunlight with 72 hours of non-stop fun in Reykjavik, its compact but perfectly formed capital city. 2019’s line up promises performances from Morcheeba, Rita Ora and Russian art collective Pussy Riot. What makes this festival truly special are the unique venues gigs are held in – some performances are held in places outside of the city and in the iconic Icelandic countryside, like lava tunnels and hollowed out glaciers. If you’d like to explore the country while you’re here, the festival has partnered with a company that offers unusual day trips. Why not venture out to see the Blue Lagoon or a remote whiskey distillery, or try ice walking or whale watching?
Flow Festival, Finland
Located in Finland’s cool capital, Helsinki, Flow Festival is an urban music festival that takes place every August. Gigs take place in the atmospheric former Suvilahti Power Plant, and the festival’s organisers have teamed up with the University of Helsinki to bring ground-breaking visual art installations in the venue. The 2019 festival already has a stellar line-up of indie heavyweights like The Cure, Tame Impala and Robyn, and in 2018, over 84,000 people attended the festival. The city centre is just a moment away, so in between acts you can explore the historic city and wander around its lush parks and leafy boulevards. Make use of the early August weather and try out one of the coastal city’s swimming spots or sweat it out in a traditional Finnish sauna with new friends.
Northside, Denmark
Held in Denmark’s second biggest city, Århus, Northside has quickly become of the best music festivals in Europe since it began in 2010. Held every June, the 2019 event already has an epic confirmed line-up of Alice In Chains, Tove Lo and Bon Iver, and in 2018, while hosting pop heavyweights like Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age and Beck, over 40,000 people attended each day. The festival also uniquely focuses on sustainability, and some of its extremely innovative eco initiatives include only selling organic wine, food, champagne and coffee, and running an extremely successful cup recycling scheme - where over 90% of cups used are recycled. The festival won A Greener Festival award in 2016 for its commendable efforts.
Traena Festival, Norway
Tiny Traena Festival is set in one of the most enchanting places a music festival could be; on two small Norwegian islands flanked by fjords and incredible views. Access to the islands, Husoya and Sanna, is only available by boat from the mainland, and once you’ve arrived, you’ll be treated to performances in places that make use of the jaw dropping natural landscape, like an ancient cave, a church with blacked out windows (a humble defence against the 23-hour midnight sun) and atmospheric tents. Every July, Norwegian indie artists like Highasakite, Lisa Skoglund and Kings of Convenience travel to the island to charm festival goers. After catching a performance, you’ll be treated to some amazing food here; the islands are renowned for their fishing industry and you can feast on gourmet dinners with fresh cod, coalfish and prawns.