Arvika Recovery Continues

Sweden’s Arvika festival has put its financial problems behind and has the potential to become a much bigger festival, according to Live Nation-EMA Telstar’s Martin Nielsen.

Four years ago the popular Varmlands event was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and had to cut deals with its suppliers to survive, but the recovery has been so swift that Nielsen sees the potential for expansion.

Most of those who were out of pocket accepted payment from future profits rather than see Arvika go under.

The 2005 and 2006 festivals scaled down on the entertainment budget and turned matters around with crowds of about 10,000 and 12,000 per day respectively, but for the last two years they’ve been close to the 20,000 capacity.

"It was a small festival and we need to look at how we can improve the production and infrastructure as it grows, but there’s easily enough room for 25,000 or more on the site," Nielsen explained.

The acts who turned up to the old amusement park close to the Norwegian border July 3-5 and helped restore Arvika to good health included Hellacopters, The Kooks, Interpol, Robyn, Lykke Li, Hot Chip, Death Cab For Cutie, The Go! Team, Saul Williams and Suicide Commando.

A week earlier, Nielsen was involved with Gothenburg’s Metaltown Festival, which has sold out so many years that it’s now expanded to two days.

Live Nation has a one-third share of the annual rock fest, which takes place near a pier jutting out from the Gothenburg shoreline.

In Flames, Killswitch Engage, Nightwish, Bullet For My Valentine and Cavalera Conspiracy were among the bill-toppers.