Nestor – Liseberg: A Fiery Summer Finale Drenched in Neon

Nestor closed Liseberg’s 2025 summer concert season with a bang, delivering a neon-drenched 80s spectacle with marching band, cheerleaders, lasers, pyrotechnics, and fireworks.

The Swedish AOR band proved their comeback is nothing short of meteoric, winning over longtime fans and a younger generation drawn to retro nostalgia. Flamboyant costumes and special guests made it a night of pure, unrestrained rock celebration.

From Lasers to Fireworks: Nestor Bring 80s Excess to Liseberg

There seems to be a never-ending wave of 80s nostalgia rolling through the music world right now. From synthwave acts like The Midnight and Gunship, to the resurgence of Kate Bush—thanks in no small part to the Netflix series Stranger Things—retro sounds are everywhere. Rock has not been left behind either, with echoes of the past coming through bands such as The Gems and Greta Van Fleet. Even hardcore outfit Turnstile has shown flashes of The Police in some of their newer material.

Riding the Wave of 80s Nostalgia

Few have embraced this trend as wholeheartedly as Nestor, hailing from Falköping, Sweden. Sitting comfortably in the AOR (adult-oriented rock) tradition, their music is rich in melodic hooks and drenched in the spirit of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Journey, Foreigner—and perhaps most recognisably, Sweden’s very own Europe.

The show kicked off with a marching band.

Leading into a dance number.

A Delayed Breakthrough Story

Originally formed in 1989, Nestor only lasted until 1995, releasing a handful of EPs before disbanding. It wasn’t until 2021 that they reunited, hitting the ground running in perfect sync with the 80s revival. For many fans, that makes Nestor feel like a brand-new discovery, even if the band technically predates some of its younger listeners.

Since their comeback, they have released two albums—Kids in a Ghost Town (2022) and Teenage Rebel (2024)—and built a reputation for grand, high-energy performances. Ironically, 36 years after first forming, Nestor are still enjoying what feels like a meteoric rise.

Tobias Gustavsson leans on his trusty guitarist Jonny Wemmenstedt.

The crowd’s frontrunners performing a coordinated wave.

A Spectacle of Lights, Pyro, Wind, and Neon

Closing out Liseberg’s summer concert season is no small task, but Nestor rose to the occasion with a show that was nothing short of spectacular. The evening began with a marching band and dancers, before lasers tore through the night sky, perfectly matching the band’s neon-soaked 80s aesthetic.

The band had handed out glowsticks to the audience before the show, letting them join in the light spectacle. When singer Tobias Gustavsson asked who had received one, many waved theirs enthusiastically—though getting them to glow proved trickier than expected.

Pyrotechnics have been a recurring highlight at Liseberg this summer, and this night was no exception. Flames, smoke and sparkling charges fired skywards, filling the air with a smell not unlike “Tomtebloss” or sparklers on New Year’s Eve. Standing in the photo pit, you could feel the heat and even the gusts from the strategically placed wind machines—powerful enough to make you grateful not to be wearing a dress.

The finale of the main set, 1989, was accompanied by full-blown fireworks, transforming the park into a riot of colour and sound. It truly felt like a New Year’s celebration in September. If anything, it was a shame the venue wasn’t completely packed, because this was the kind of closing party more people deserved to experience. Still, for a band that only recently re-emerged, the turnout was impressive.

Blazing flames lit up the stage during ‘Firesign’.

Clever use of lasers helped bring the band’s 80s neon aesthetic to the big stage.

The audience was also given glowsticks so they could join in the spectacular light show.

Dazzling fireworks lit up the finale of ‘1989’.

Special Guests on Stage

Adding to the festive feel, Nestor brought out special guests throughout the night.

Gothenburg-based singer Lollo Gardtman joined them for a stunning duet on Tomorrow, while a troupe of Frölunda Hockey cheerleaders stormed the stage during Victorious. Fittingly, frontman Tobias Gustavsson even donned a Frölunda jersey mid-song, much to the delight of the local crowd.

Lollo Gardtman joins in on a duet on the song Tomorrow.

Frölunda Hockey cheerleaders stormed the stage during the track Victorious.

Flamboyant Costumes and Rock ’n’ Roll Swagger

If the fireworks and lasers weren’t enough, the band also leaned into theatrical flair with their outfits.

Rather than following the 80s aesthetic slavishly with studs, spandex, and other genre clichés, they opted for mariachi-inspired costumes full of colourful details, creating a striking visual impact. Tobias Gustavsson, adorned with flamboyant bird feathers, strutted across the stage like a rock ’n’ roll peacock, commanding attention at every turn.

Nestor Is:

Tobias Gustavsson – vocals
Jonny Wemmenstedt – guitar
Marcus Åblad – bass
Martin Frejinger – keyboards
Mattias Carlsson – drums

Band lineup: Tobias Gustavsson on vocals

Jonny Wemmenstedt on guitar

Marcus Åblad on bass

Martin Frejinger on keyboards

Finally, Mattias Carlsson on drums.

Support Act: Velveteen Queen

Before Nestor took the stage, Velveteen Queen warmed up the crowd with their own brand of rock energy. CrowdSnapper was there too, so keep an eye out for our upcoming article and photos from their performance.