For two summers in a row, the windswept fields in Blekinge Norway have been empty. But this week, they will once again be populated by thousands of hard rock fans with raised devil signs in the air.
– After a three-year break, it is fantastic to be able to carry out the festival again. It has been much missed and there are many expectations and a pent-up need. With ourselves, but also with visitors and artists, says Sofia Lindqvist Lacinai.
The biggest news of the festival has become bigger, she says. This means more space in front of the stages and also larger entrances, a new vineyard and a “kids corner” for the youngest hard rockers.
– Everything is bigger this year. The festival area has been expanded by 25 percent since the last time, and then we have mainly widened in front of the two largest stages and gained access to a completely new area by a headland by the sea, says Sofia Lindqvist Lacinai.
“Strong economic history”
That the festival can invest after being forced to cancel twice is due to several factors, she explains.
– This is due to a combination of the fact that most visitors who bought a ticket by 2020 have chosen to keep them, but also because we have been able to use the tools that the government has given us in the form of government grants and redundancies. We also have a strong economic history, which has helped us survive even though revenues went from large to minus.
On stage are Guns n ‘Roses, Volbeat, In Flames and what Lindqvist Lacinai describes as a classic Sweden Rock mix with everything from progressive 70’s rock to the hardest death metal. The vast majority of them were booked as early as 2020.
– I think many of the bands are looking forward to finally getting here and driving. They want nothing better than to meet the fans and be on tour again, says Lindqvist Lacinai.
Big hopes
The last time Guns n ‘Roses played at the festival was in 2010, and then the band with Axl Rose in the lead was created on stage. But since then, several original members have been reunited and given a fresh start.
– In recent years, they have really stepped up. The feedback on recent years’ arena gigs has been very positive. We all have hopes that it will be a fantastic gig in every way, says Lindqvist Lacinai.
TT: What do you not miss yourself?
– In addition to the biggest bookings, Nestor is a band that I find exciting. We had them unplugged at a digital event in the spring and now I’m really looking forward to seeing them with a full set on stage. But it will never be possible for us to see whole concerts. You listen for a while and then you have more work.