Forget about the temperature - Way Out West is Sweden's hottest festival.
After all, this year alone brings Morrissey, The Kills, M83, Massive Attack & Young Fathers, Skepta, The Avalanches, The Last Shadow Puppets and more all together in one immaculate site.
Gates swing open on August 11th, with Clash contributor Matthew Cooper set to make the journey out to Gothenburg. Here, he picks a few things to look out for...
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The Avalanches showcase ‘Wildflower’
The Avalanches return with their brand of sampling everything under the sun to create chaos within melody. From being nowhere on the radar, ‘Wildflower’ quickly became one of the most anticipated album of 2016 and now it is here. This could be a real rarity and is not something you can afford to miss. What if they disappear for another 16 years?
Jamie xx’s hot streak continues
The xx’s master producer released ‘In Colour’ a year ago now- but with the arrival of the stunningly bleak yet wonderfully unique ‘Gosh’ video we are reminded that ‘In Colour’ was a record that embodied all of those things and deserves to live long in the memory. His live show is also one that pleases all of the senses and will have you feeling many ways.
Kamasi Washington and Thundercat
Kamasi Washington and Thundercat are the Brainfeeder (Flying Lotus’ label) signings that will remind you that jazz isn’t a genre that lives in the past. Sure, it might be considered as elevator music to some, but it can still make a huge impact. Just ask Kendrick Lamar.
Jessy Lanza
Jessy Lanza is one of the most slept on artists out there. Her output is a constant melting pot of everything from bass culture to R&B that at its core oozes pop music. The smorgasbord of styles that the Canadian incorporates could easily sound like a pick and choose of what’s hot right now but latest album ‘Oh No’ proves that no matter what genre she sets her sight on her identity is always right there in the foreground.
Grime hits Sweden #Murky
A lot has been said about grime’s ‘resurgence’ and whether it ever went away in the first place - or if people just started paying attention again. That debate is likely to rage on for as long as the ‘who won, Wiley or Kano?’ in their infamous Lord of the Mics clash. Right now though, ignore it all. Grime is here, and it is damn near impossible to argue that it’s anything but the UK’s most relevant and needed musical movement currently. And it’s not stopping on our shores. Skepta has cracked America without selling out, Stormzy is packing festivals without an album and Lady Leshurr is showing that grime isn’t solely a London thing. Sweden, you’re in for a treat.
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Way Out West runs between August 11th - 13th.