UPCOMING: Viva Sounds 2024
One of Europe's most eclectic and exciting festivals starts next week!
Hey! Are you close to Sweden? Or can you get there easily in any way? If so, drop everything you’re doing and go check your travel options to the wonderful city of Gothenburg next week, will you? In fact, you should have already done that before if you’ve been paying attention. Last year, we told you all about the wonder that is Viva Sounds on the very first installment of our Festival Spotlight feature, and that was even before we had been there! After we did, our Live Review of the 2023 edition really nailed down the idea that this neat not-so-little event is not one to be missed. Whether you’re into metal, psych, rock, indie, folk, electronic music, alt-pop or any other cool weird scene like that, Viva Sounds will have something for you, and once again this year’s line-up proves it:
Don’t know half of it? Well, kinda like one of our other favourite festivals, the wild OUT.FEST, that is kinda the point. Sure, there are obvious highlights, depending on what kind of stuff you’re into (me, I’m particularly looking forward to the chilling devastation of Hilning or the haunting post-apocalyptic soundscapes of Bast), with the legendary Motorpsycho sort of ruling above all as arguably the one universal name among them, but the fun in it is to travel the two main streets where all of the festival’s venues are set, going in and out of shows and collecting fresh experiences and new favourites, much more than making any sort of plan. In a sort of Roadburn-y kind of way, you make your own trajectory through Viva, and it’s perfectly possible for two people to have a great weekend without sharing one single band in common. Also, if you happen to be part of the music industry - or just interested in the inner workings of it - there’s a fantastic networking side to the festival with a remarkable list of delegates from all over the world that will participate in conferences and activities during the festival, and you can get a ticket for that too. Whatever you do, if you’re within reach of Gothenburg next week, don’t miss it. You’ll regret it. See you there, hopefully!
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