Harriet Nauer – Gothenburg Culture Festival: A Subtle Afternoon of Folk and Indie

Harriet Nauer live at Göteborgs Kulturkalas / Gothenburg Culture Festival in 2024
Harriet Nauer brought warmth and grace to Gothenburg Culture Festival 2024 with a delicate, afternoon performance in the market hall that blended everyday bustle with timeless folk intimacy.
Photos and Words by Jonas Gustafsson

Swedish singer-songwriter Harriet Nauer has steadily carved out a distinctive niche in the contemporary folk and indie landscape. Emerging in 2020 with her debut single “Hit Me Hard”, Nauer quickly drew attention for her finger-picked guitar work and emotive, introspective lyrics — often compared to icons such as Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Kate Bush.

Her 2022 EP Catharsis expanded that sound with more cinematic textures and a deep sense of emotional honesty. In her live performances, each song seems to take on new life — delicate yet powerful, carried by her warm voice and intricate guitar playing.

Rooted in folk traditions but unafraid of exploring ambient and dream-pop sensibilities, Nauer stands out as one of Sweden’s most promising new voices in acoustic storytelling.

Harriet Nauer and guitarist live at Göteborgs Kulturkalas / Gothenburg Culture Festival in 2024 Harriet Nauer brought an electric guitarist along, adding a subtle layer of texture to her acoustic sound. Harriet Nauer live at Göteborgs Kulturkalas / Gothenburg Culture Festival in 2024 Just Harriet, behind the beams. Harriet Nauer live at Göteborgs Kulturkalas / Gothenburg Culture Festival in 2024 For our international audience: the note on the left says not to mess with the clock. To my knowledge, Nauer managed to resist the urge.

Between the Beams: A Concert Snapshot at Kulturkalaset 2024

Harriet Nauer performed at 5 pm inside the market hall “Saluhallen” at Kungstorget in Gothenburg — an unusual yet charming setting. As people browsed for ingredients and chatted with market vendors, Nauer’s soft, finely tuned melodies floated through the air, lending a sense of calm to the busy hall.

It wasn’t entirely easy to find the performance space at first. I followed the sound, letting the music guide me through the building until I eventually spotted her up on a mezzanine or higher platform, behind a railing. She stood there with her acoustic guitar, joined by a musician on electric guitar and a sound technician nearby — an intimate little trio surrounded by the hum of everyday life.

Photographing the show proved to be a small adventure of its own. The distance and the steel beams in front of her often obscured her face from my angle. Still, I eventually found a staircase that allowed me to climb a bit higher and capture a few decent shots — enough to preserve the mood of that serene afternoon performance.

Topping it off with a shot of the sound guy – a real happy camper, and every bit as important as the musicians.

Final Thoughts

Harriet Nauer’s concert inside Saluhallen offered a unique meeting between the everyday and the poetic. The contrast between the market’s bustle and her gentle, melancholic sound created something quietly magical.

Even from a distance, her presence filled the space — a reminder that truly heartfelt music doesn’t need a big stage to leave an impression.

This show was shot with

Wider Shots (Not Used)

Long Range and Close-Ups

More From Harriet Nauer

Canyon – Live Video

Harriet Nauer performing the song Canyon at the Monitor Sessions in May, 2023.

Artist Links

Official Website

Listen on Spotify

Previous Post Next Post