For a few years during the 90s, all eyes were on Umeå—at least for those who loved heavy music. The reason was the uniquely vibrant hardcore scene that filled the city’s youth centers with angry young people every week. At the heart of it all was the band REFUSED, whose aftermath turned out to be the perfect breeding ground for hungry bands dreaming of one day being as good and significant as their idols. They never quite managed. With their epoch-defining album The Shape of Punk to Come from 1998, Refused not only changed the Swedish scene’s perception of what heavy music could be but also impacted the entire world.
Last year, the immensely influential band announced that it was time to fold things up and once again be “fucking dead.” The farewell was set to begin at Rosendal in Stockholm, but shortly before the event, frontman Dennis Lyxzén suffered a heart attack, forcing the cancellation of the performance that was meant to be their last at a Swedish festival.
This spring, the farewell instead kicks off with a North American tour, but a final goodbye to the Swedish festival audience is also on the schedule—at Way Out West in Gothenburg. Those who remember know that Way Out West was one of the few stops the band made when they revived the project in the early 2010s, so it feels only fitting that their farewell also takes place here. Get ready for an emotional hardcore explosion when REFUSED takes the stage in Slottsskogen this summer!
Five more acts have also been added to the schedule: DANIELA RATHANA, KNEECAP [IE], HERMANOS GUTIÉRREZ [EC/CH], PA SALIEU [UK], AND KELLY LEE OWENS (LIVE) [WLS].
If you are looking for a place to stay for Way Out West Festival, then check out our interactive accommodation map below. Just add in the dates you want to stay and venue and you will be able to see what’s available nearby!
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