The Way Out West festival in Gothenburg drew its largest crowd ever this year, with more than 80,000 visitors, according to multiple Swedish outlets including SVT Nyheter, Aftonbladet, and Dagens Nyheter. The event, which ran through mid-August, surpassed its previous attendance mark, setting a new record.
However, the milestone was met with a critical review from Expressen, which published a piece on August 15 headlined “Not worthy of a festival of Way Out West’s dignity.” The newspaper’s assessment suggests that despite the record numbers, the overall experience fell short of the festival’s established reputation. Expressen did not specify in the available summary which particular aspects—such as logistics, facilities, or programming—prompted the criticism.
The attendance figure, reported by Omni as exceeding 80,000, marks a repeat of the festival breaking its own record. SVT Nyheter covered the event directly from the grounds, confirming the high turnout. The record comes as festivals across the region continue to recover and expand post-pandemic, with Way Out West maintaining its position as one of Sweden’s major music events.
The contrast between the commercial success and the critical reception raises questions about how the festival balances growth with quality. Organizers have not yet responded publicly to Expressen’s critique, and it remains unclear whether the record attendance will influence any changes for next year’s edition.
What to watch next: Whether Way Out West addresses the concerns raised by Expressen in its planning for the 2027 festival.
