August 11, 2008 10:54

Franz Ferdinand, NERD and Neil Young play Gothenburg festival

Grinderman, Sigur Ros also at Way Out West Festival

Franz Ferdinand, N.E.R.D and Neil Young were among the bands playing the Way Out West festival in Gothenburg, Sweden, this weekend (August 7-9).

The sold-out event kicked off on Thursday (7) with a series of club shows, featuring the likes of the Buzzcocks, Four Tet and The Gutter Twins across the city, before moving to larger stages in the city's Slottsskogen Park for the weekend.

The Friday (8) kicked off with Lightspeed Champion -who was later spotted dancing in the crowd to labelmates Franz Ferdinand.

As well as testing out some new material, Franz thrilled the fans not only with old favourites like 'This Fire' but by frontman Alex Kapranos using a smattering of Swedish to talk to the crowd.

The day also saw performances from the likes of The Sonics, Sigur Ros, The National, Grinderman and a very well-received set from Sonic Youth.

However it was Swedish band Brother Daniel, who stole the day, playing their last ever gig following a ten-year career. Performing an angsty set, clearly influenced by Joy Division, the band attracted a big and slightly tearful crowd as they wrapped up their career.

The final day of Way Out West (9) kicked off with Jose Gonzalez playing the Main Stage, followed by Kelis, who though took to the stage 15 minutes later, and had the audience "waving their hands in the air" along to the likes of 'Millionaire' and 'Milkshake'.

Backed by two drummers N.E.R.D then got the crowd pumping with a set that included hits like 'Lapdance', 'She Wants to Move', 'Everyone Knows' and 'Rockstar', before providing one of the festival's highlights by mixing The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' into their set as it reached its climax.

With Lil' Kim following with a brief set, The Flaming Lips followed in full party mode.

Swedish acts included Caesars, Lykke Li, Sahara Hotnights and the local hero Hakan Hellstrom, who the drew the festival's biggest crowd, also played on the day.

Neil Young closed the 2008 festival on the Main Stage, playing a set that included 'Fuckin' Up', 'Cinnamon Girl', 'Heart Of Gold' and 'The Needle And The Damage Done' before finishing with a crowd thrilling cover of The Beatles' 'A Day In The Life'.

Young who was in good humour throughout his set, telling the crowd he "didn't want to be any worse than the other bands" before paying homage to N.E.R.D by telling the audience to "jump in the motherfucking air".