Way Out West:

April 20, 2009 – New York, NY Started in 2007, Sweden’s Way Out West music festival has already earned its place as one of the 20 best festivals in Europe. Tickets for the August festival are now on sale and this year’s program, which takes place in Gothenburg, the “getaway capital” of Europe, will boast more concerts and stars than ever before.

For two days (August 14 and 15) the city’s beautiful central park, Slottsskogen, will be home to an impressive line up of national and international bands - including the US favorites: Band of Horses, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, and Rise Against. The much acclaimed Antony and The Johnsons will be on stage together with the renowned Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra - the National Orchestra of Sweden. From the UK: Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen and Basement Jaxx. The Irish My Bloody Valentine and the Swedish band Fever Ray will also be featured.

Neil Young and Franz Ferdinand were headliners at last year’s concert, a sell-out success with some 25,000 in attendance at the two-day festival. This followed the heady performance by Kanye West in 2007, which defined Way Out West as a formidable entry to the European festival scene.

Way Out West’s unique city-based format taps into Gothenburg’s thriving music scenes, with performances at the city’s clubs and cultural centres before and during the festival. In 2008, performances from home-grown international DJs such as Kleerup set Gothenburg clubs pumping. This year a collaboration with local art schools promises to take Way Out West’s another step beyond.

“The club concept is a crucial part of Way Out West and strengthens the urban feel of the festival, and has been really popular,” explains Joel Borg, spokesperson for the festival. “We have a great partnership with the town and are thrilled to be in Slottsskogen city park again.”

Slottsskogen is to Gothenburgers as Central Park is to New Yorkers. It is a wonderful open space with large grass areas, small hills, trees and a forest – right in the heart of city center. There are even enclosed pastures with Nordic animals such as elk. The festival site is within walking distance of two of the city’s best-loved districts: the culturally diverse Linné and historic Haga. Haga is known as the Old Town of Gothenburg. It has small boutiques, antique stores and cozy cafes that line walking streets made of cobblestone. Linné is trendier with second hand stores, small restaurants and chic cafes.

Another major draw at Way Out  West 2009 will be outstanding regional food – most notably fresh seafood -- offered at festival food stalls. Festival cuisine is taken so seriously that it’s supervised by one of the city’s top chefs, Mats Nordstrom, owner of  Wasa Alle, an organic gourmet  restaurant touting seasonal menus, locally produced ingredients from small-scale suppliers, fish and seafood from sustainable stocks and a unique wine list with organic and biodynamic wines.

Home to intimate gig venues, big arenas, recording studios and events, Gothenburg is being watched internationally for its emerging musical talent. The city has also long been a destination of choice for musical artists on world tours, and this summer promises to be something special. Upcoming concerts that include AC/DC, June 21, U2, July 31 and August 1 and Madonna, August 8-9, will be playing to audiences of 60,000 at the central Ullevi stadium. Other international artists visiting are Morrissey, June 22, BB King, July 3, and Deep Purple, July 15.

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