Velveteen Queen – Liseberg: New Sleaze Rock Sensation Aiming for the Big Stages

Gothenburg’s Velveteen Queen brought raw energy and attitude to Liseberg’s main stage. Supporting Nestor, the young sleaze rockers proved they already have both the chops and the charisma, channelling the spirit of Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver. From the explosive opener Liar to the sleazy swagger of Barrel of a Gun, Velveteen Queen delivered a set that hinted at a very bright future.

Photos and Words by Jonas Gustafsson

A Young Band with Big Ambitions

Velveteen Queen formed in Gothenburg in 2021 and already aim for the biggest stages. Their invitation to support fellow Swedes Nestor on tour felt like a natural fit. While Nestor lean towards the glossy, melodic rock of Journey and early Europe, Velveteen Queen draw energy from a grittier diet—closer to Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, and even a touch of Mötley Crüe or L.A. Guns.

Bend it like Beckham: Lukas Axx in full swing at the advanced guitar gymnastics class. Rocking what looks like a Slash Cry Baby signature wah with confidence.

Sleazy Hard Rock Influences: Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver

Rather than reinventing the wheel, Velveteen Queen clearly draw their inspiration from the raw, sleazy side of ’80s and ’90s rock. Their riffs and guitar work carry the swagger and energy associated with Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, giving the songs a punchy, hard-hitting drive. Lead guitarist Lukas Axx brings this to life on stage with confident rock moves and technical flair, creating a thrilling, larger-than-life presence.

Vocally, Samuel Nilsson channels a style reminiscent of Steven Tyler, adding a bluesy, expressive edge that complements the band’s sleazy hard rock sound. While echoes of other bands such as Backyard Babies may occasionally come to mind, Velveteen Queen have carved out a sound that honours classic hard rock while injecting their own youthful energy into the performance.

Rhythm guitarist Noah Mardh swinging his sumptuous mane, with bassist Vilmer Fall on the left.

Setlist Highlights: Debut Album and Singles

The concert opened with their latest single, Liar, a high-energy track perfect for kicking off the show. The song has a modern theme, tackling the dangers of social media, mixed with a classic rock sound. It immediately grabbed the audience’s attention and stood out as one of my personal favourites, carrying echoes of Guns N’ Roses while adding a modern twist.

Much of the material that followed drew from their debut album Consequence of the City (2024), with a personal favourite being the album’s opening track, Barrel of a Gun, which brings Velvet Revolver’s Do It For the Kids to mind and highlights the band’s sleazy hard rock influences.

Other songs performed included Kenny’s Blues, Bad Reputation, the live debut of The Greater Good and Try, Last Sensation, Dreamer, and Take Me Higher. Check out the full setlist further down!

Drummer Isac Borg maintaining a tight and consistent groove.

Line-Up and Guest Performers

Velveteen Queen features:

• Samuel Nilsson – vocals & piano
• Lukas Axx – lead guitar
• Noah Mardh – rhythm guitar
• Isac Borg – drums & percussion
• Vilmer Fall – bass

For this show, they were joined by two guest backing vocalists, Filippa Björk (known from Swedish Idol 2024) and Agnes Rignäs Sörensson — endearingly peeking out from behind a wall of Marshall stacks at the very back of the stage.

Frontman Samuel Nilsson showcased not only his vocal skills... ...but also took to the piano during the band’s softer numbers. Backing vocalists Filippa Björk and Agnes Rignäs Sörensson were given the honourable placement behind the amps.

Photo Pit Impressions: Smoke, Pyrotechnics, and Action

From the photo pit, the opening moments felt like a baptism of fire. A dense black smoke cloud poured over the barrier as the first chords rang out, making me hesitate before stepping in—concerned for both lungs and camera gear. Luckily, the effect proved harmless, if dramatic.

As if the smoke wasn’t enough, firecrackers erupted across the stage edge. One went off alarmingly close to my position, forcing me to check whether the camera had survived intact. Several times throughout the evening, both during Velveteen Queen and Nestor, the pyrotechnics triggered an involuntary “holy sh*t!” as photographers flinched from the blasts. Only Nestor took it a step further, adding wind machines to the mix, so Velveteen Queen’s audience was at least safe from airborne hats and unintended upskirts.

Liseberg didn’t hold back on the pyro this summer – and Velveteen Queen got their share as well. Ominous smoke bombs seen from the pit, as the show was about to begin. Honestly, I had my qualms about even stepping into this thick smoke. Lungs and lenses survived, luckily!

Stage Presence and Future Potential

Visually, the show was a thrill to capture: constant motion, high energy, and a young group that already understands the stagecraft of their idols. While their style still reflects the influences they grew up studying, it feels only a matter of time before they sharpen a more distinctive identity—musically and in their stage presence.

Velveteen Queen signing off with a bow.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Swedish Sleaze and Hard Rock

This performance left no doubt about their intent. Together with more seasoned bands like Hardcore Superstar—recently covered on the site—Velveteen Queen point to a bright future for Swedish sleaze and hard rock, blending youthful energy with respect for the genre’s classic traditions.

Check out the setlist of the show by hitting the box below!

1. Liar
2. Kenny's Blues
3. Bad Reputation
4. The Greater Good (Live Debut)
5. Last Sensation
6. Try (Live Debut)
7. Barrel of a Gun
8. Dreamer
9. Take Me Higher

This show was shot with

Wider Shots

• Camera: Sony a7 III
• Lens: Tamron 28-75/f2.8

Close-Ups

• Camera: Sony a7R II
• Lens: Tamron 70-180/f2.8

Check out our gear page to learn more.

Concert Photo Gallery

More From Velveteen Queen

Barrel of a Gun – Music Video

Band Links

Official Website

Listen on Spotify