Way Out West uses its home city as a second stage once the sun goes down

When Way Out West announced its 2026 billing at the end of last year, there was no denying it would be one of the biggest European events of the summer. Even as the festival market has exploded over the last decade or so, the Swedish festival has consistently pulled in the biggest hitters in alternative and pop, and the audiences to match; the 2026 edition last weekend saw names such as The Cure, Gorillaz, Zara Larsson and Lily Allen share a poster with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The xx and Geese. With a seemingly ever-increasing undercard to match, this year’s instalment felt particularly momentous before it had even begun and proved to be just that, selling out every ticket category for the first time in its 19-year history.For all of its growing stature, though, WOW remains remarkably embedded within the city that hosts it. Where many so-called city festivals require a surprisingly hefty walk and serious forward planning, WOW's site at Slottsskogen sits in the heart of Gothenburg. The home of Volvo, Stellan Skarsgård and an archipelago of over 7,000 islands and islets, Gothenburg in summer has breezy, laid-back charm; its low-rise skyline, gently winding canals, green spaces...