There are not many metal shows where children with brightly coloured hair bows stand alongside fans in black band caps, but Scarlet’s show at Liseberg was exactly that kind of paradox. Sharing the same event space with Dolly Style, the brightly coloured pop act on the opposite end of the musical spectrum, the Swedish horror-inspired duo turned an amusement park stage into a dark pop-metal extravaganza.
Between gothic theatrics, danceable metal and crowd singalongs, the set highlighted just how far Scarlet’s reach has expanded beyond their underground roots.
Scarlet live review: a collision of metal and bubblegum pop at Liseberg
Swedish metal duo Scarlet have spent the last few years carving out a unique space between modern metal, hard rock, industrial influences and infectious pop hooks. Hidden behind their theatrical alter egos, the skeletal Scarlet Hunts and the vampiric Thirsty have built a devoted following through a combination of dark aesthetics, high-energy performances and songs that blur the line between metal and mainstream entertainment.
Since emerging in 2018, the duo have performed at major festivals, released their acclaimed debut album Obey the Queen in 2020, and steadily expanded their audience both in Sweden and internationally.
From edgy underground metal to family entertainment
For many casual listeners, however, Scarlet’s breakthrough came through Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s long-running Eurovision selection show and one of the country’s most-watched television events. Their entry “Circus X” in 2024 introduced the duo to a far wider audience, with 2025 follow-up “Sweet N’ Psycho” further cementing their status as one of the competition’s most memorable alternative acts.
Both songs showcased a more accessible side of the band, combining metal aesthetics with danceable production and arena-sized choruses.
That crossover appeal has led to some unlikely developments. Much like Smash Into Pieces, Scarlet have attracted a remarkably young fanbase through their Melodifestivalen appearances. What might initially seem worlds apart from the brightly coloured pop universe of Dolly Style suddenly feels less surprising when you see the audiences overlap. The connection became impossible to ignore when the two acts joined forces for the Halloween single “Haunted Disco” in 2025. And now they are even sharing stages together.
Sweet meets psycho: when goth metal collides with bubblegum pop
That unusual meeting of worlds was on full display when Scarlet took to the stage at Liseberg on 31 May. Looking out across the crowd, it was impossible not to notice the colourful mix of fans. Children wearing oversized bows and brightly coloured hair stood alongside young boys proudly sporting black Scarlet caps.
Not everyone appeared entirely prepared for a metal show, even one with a distinctly pop-oriented edge. Some children covered their ears, while concerned parents occasionally stepped in to do the same. Others came better equipped, wearing brightly coloured ear defenders that matched their outfits perfectly.
The scene highlighted just how unusual Scarlet’s position has become within Swedish music. Beneath the dark costumes, horror imagery and heavy guitars is a band that has somehow managed to build a following among many of the same children who adore acts such as Dolly Style.
A setlist leaning into newer, more accessible material
The timing of the concert also presented an interesting challenge. Scarlet’s catalogue has never exactly been aimed at young children. Their debut album Obey the Queen remains packed with provocative lyrics, explicit themes and a healthy amount of bad language. Yet just two days before arriving at Liseberg, the duo released their second full-length album, Don’t Be Scared, and much of the afternoon’s setlist was drawn from that record.
Conveniently, the newer material feels noticeably less confrontational than some of their earlier work. While the album includes several songs that have been released gradually since 2022, making them familiar to longtime followers, the overall tone feels more accessible. It is also a reflection of today’s streaming-driven music landscape, where artists often prioritise a steady flow of singles and playlist placements over traditional album cycles.
Musically, the new material pushes Scarlet even further beyond conventional genre boundaries. The songs are packed with dancefloor-friendly rhythms and infectious hooks, creating something that feels equally at home in a nightclub and at a rock festival. Call it gothic dance metal, horror-pop metal, dark electronic rock or even “evil disco”, a term famously coined by industrial metal band Static-X. Whatever label you choose, Scarlet continue to occupy a musical niche that feels increasingly their own.
The title track and opener “Don’t Be Scared” worked particularly well in the Liseberg setting, transforming the amusement park into something resembling a dark-themed party. “Everybody Dies” followed and proved just how catchy a song about mortality can be, no matter how macabre that sounds on paper.
To their credit, Scarlet did not completely abandon the darker side of their catalogue. “#bossbitch” and “Obey the Queen” both made the setlist, bringing some of the duo’s more provocative material into an audience that contained a substantial number of young children. If parents had not already been covering ears by that point, they may have found a reason to start. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the band left their early underground hit “Ugly Fucker” off the setlist. Despite becoming one of Scarlet’s most-streamed pre-Melodifestivalen tracks, it would have been a bit much for an audience packed with young children.
“Mello” favourites steal the spotlight
The Melodifestivalen material naturally received some of the strongest reactions. “Circus X” arrived midway through the show, while a short medley provided one of the concert’s more entertaining moments. The duo delivered metal-infused versions of Loreen’s “Tattoo”, Medina’s “Que Sera” and KAJ’s “Bara bada bastu”, complete with distorted guitars and Scarlet’s signature aesthetic.
It was a genuinely fun addition that offered something exclusive rather than simply reproducing familiar recordings. For concertgoers, these reinterpretations became one of the afternoon’s highlights and gave the performance a unique element that cannot be experienced through streaming services.
In many ways, however, the audience seemed to be waiting for one particular song. That anticipation was rewarded when “Sweet N’ Psycho” arrived as the set closer, bringing the performance to an energetic finish and delivering exactly the kind of singalong moment many younger fans had been hoping for.
Setlist
- Wicked Little Tango
- Red Lights
- Kill Me Another Day
- Circus X
- Goddess
- Don’t Be Scared
- Everybody Dies
- #bossbitch
- Look What You Made Me Do
- Obey the Queen
- Heartbreak Squad
- Medley: “Tattoo” (Loreen) / “Que Sera” (Medina) / “Bara bada bastu (KAJ)
- Sweet N’ Psycho
A strong stage presence despite the minimal setup
Visually, Scarlet remain compelling performers. Aside from the duo themselves, the only other person on stage was a female DJ positioned behind them, who appeared to be multitasking between operating the equipment and capturing the moment from behind them on her phone.
The minimalist setup occasionally highlighted one of the show’s few weaknesses. With so many rock and metal elements built into the music, there were moments when the absence of live instruments made the stage feel slightly empty. A live drummer or guitarist would likely have added another layer of energy and helped fill the visual space.
A performance driven by character and presence
Yet it is also clear that Scarlet themselves are the main attraction. Scarlet Hunts and Thirsty possess an undeniable stage presence, fully inhabiting their larger-than-life characters throughout the performance.
Their visual style, particularly the skeletal appearance of Scarlet Hunts, evokes Mexico’s Día de los Muertos traditions, an association reinforced by the large wide-brimmed hats worn during the opening part of the show.
Moments of warmth beneath the theatrics
Perhaps the most charming moments came when the duo briefly stepped outside their characters to wave enthusiastically at young fans gathered near the front. Those fleeting interactions revealed a warmth and humanity beneath the intimidating costumes and dark imagery, adding a welcome sense of personality to the theatrical presentation.
Ultimately, Scarlet’s greatest achievement may be their ability to unite audiences that would traditionally have very little overlap. Few bands could comfortably perform songs about death, power and personal demons in front of an audience filled with children wearing colourful bows and ear defenders. Yet Scarlet make it feel entirely natural. The performance may not have been perfect, but it was entertaining, distinctive and a reminder that the duo occupy a uniquely fascinating corner of contemporary Swedish music.
An unexpected second appearance
As if one appearance was not enough, Scarlet later returned during Dolly Style’s concert. The groups reunited for “Haunted Disco”, but Scarlet also effectively took over the stage while Dolly Style prepared for the second half of their performance, delivering encore performances of “Don’t Be Scared” and “Sweet N’ Psycho” to an already enthusiastic audience.
Keep an eye on CrowdSnapper for our coverage of Dolly Style’s concert, which will be published soon.
This show was shot with
Camera bodies
- Sony a7 IIIMidrange/closeup shots (pit)
- Sony a7R IIWide-angle shots (pit), telephoto shots (crowd)
Camera lenses
- Tamron 16-30mm f2.8Wide-angle shots
- Samyang 35-150mm f2–2.8Midrange/telephoto shots
Concert photo gallery
