Krigsstigen – Liseberg: Last-Minute Punk Triumph in Gothenburg

Swedish punk band Krigsstigen live at Liseberg, 2025. Singer screaming into the microphone

Stockholm punk band Krigsstigen proved themselves as true lifesavers this punk-themed weekend at the Gothenburg amusement park. Stepping in at the very last minute after The Headlines were forced to cancel, the two-year-old outfit delivered an energetic and humorous set that turned what could have been a disappointment into one of the summer’s most memorable surprises.

Punk-Themed Weekend at Liseberg

Krigsstigen performed during a punk-themed weekend at Gothenburg’s amusement park Liseberg. The night before featured US hardcore-punk band Total Chaos, Swedish 70s pop-punk band Attentat, and Stry & Sticky performing songs by the 70s Swedish group Kriminella Gitarrer.

On the second punk evening, Krigsstigen stepped in for The Headlines, with Charta 77, featuring guest vocalist Ulke, closing the night.

Punk band Krigsstigen live at Liseberg, 2025. Band shot.

Krigsstigen displaying tight-knit chemistry on stage.

A Night That Almost Didn’t Happen

Going back to the evening at hand, what was supposed to be a summer night with Malmö’s The Headlines at Liseberg Gothenburg turned into something completely different. The day before the show, the Malmö band announced via Facebook that they had to cancel due to illness. At first, I thought it must have been a mistake – Liseberg’s website still listed them – but the event page confirmed it: no Headlines this time.

Luckily, Charta 77 were still on the bill, so I was set on heading to Liseberg anyway.

Krigsstigen Saves the Day

Thanks to Liseberg’s quick booking team, a replacement was lined up within hours for the 6 o’clock slot. Enter Krigsstigen, a young Swedish punk band formed in 2023, already making waves in the local punk scene. With practically no time to prepare, they stepped in and delivered a show that energised the crowd and proved their stage presence.

Krigsstigen live at Liseberg, 2025. Close-up of bassist / bass player Hanna singing.

Bassist Hanna backing up the vocals.

New Blood, Loud Voice

Krigsstigen (“The Warpath”) play melodic yet biting punk, driven by high-energy rhythms and lyrics that balance social commentary with tongue-in-cheek humour.

Vocalist Jesse is the perfect frontperson – charismatic, full of raw power, and clearly having as much fun as the crowd. Their voice gave the young band a distinctive edge that cut through the playful chaos of the Liseberg stage.

The band is merely two years old, and their debut album Samling i särklass (2024) received praise in underground punk circles for addressing serious issues such as injustice and harassment, while maintaining a playful, self-deprecating edge. At Liseberg, this duality shone through, making their live performance both impactful and entertaining.

Singer Jesse of Swedish punk band Krigsstigen live at Liseberg, 2025

Charismatic vocalist Jesse led the charge at Liseberg with raw power and playful energy.

From Anger to Humour – with Bunny Ears on Top

From the very first notes, Krigsstigen radiated joy and energy.

The setlist offered a strong mix of the band’s material: the debut single “Stopp min kropp” landed like a blunt punch against harassment, while “Del av statistiken” channelled frustration over feeling reduced to just another number in society. “Till min sista dag” brought a defiant edge, a statement of living and fighting on your own terms, whereas “Tänk om man fick tid att leva också” added a more reflective tone that probably resonated deeply with the audience.

On the lighter side, “Flanell” gave the crowd one of the evening’s funniest moments. The lyrics poke fun at fashion and conformity – the message being that no matter how successful you are, if you don’t look good in flannel, you’re just another face in the crowd. To drive the point home, Jesse pulled on a checked flannel shirt mid-song and cheekily asked the audience, “Don’t I look good in flannel?” The response was laughter and cheers all around.

The show closed with a lively finale, capped by one of the guitarists putting on a pair of green Liseberg bunny ears – a lighthearted gesture that perfectly matched the band’s mix of seriousness and humour.

Swedish punk band Krigsstigen live at Liseberg, 2025. Guitarist wearing green bynny ears / kaninöron

Cotton candy, bunny ears and everything nice wasn’t made for only kids.

A Discovery Worth Remembering

Considering Krigsstigen’s last-minute booking and its young age as a band, the performance was impressively tight. They owned the stage, turned potential disappointment into celebration, and won many new fans. When asked who had seen them live before, roughly half the crowd raised their hands – a testament to the impact of their energetic live punk show at Liseberg Gothenburg.

What could have been a cancelled evening became a memorable discovery – one of those unexpected live punk music moments that remind you why showing up matters.