Refused is Apparently Done Playing Festivals

It’s been more than a decade since Swedish outfit Refused returned to the music biz, but it’s looking like maybe they’re winding back down again, as their “final festival” show in their homeland has been announced. According to organizers of the Rosendal Garden Party in Stockholm, the band’s first live show in four years will be ripe with finality.

Taking place from June 14 to 16, the festival will feature a number of acts, including Turnstile, Massive Attack, and The Cardigan, among others. Johanna Beckman, promoter for Rosendal Garden Party, said this year’s event was a way to do something new as a music festival/party.

“Rosendal Garden Party has always been about breaking patterns and transforming the old festival concept into something new. We’ve sought inspiration in art, activism, subcultures, and artists we love for their ability to shatter rigid structures. Both M.I.A. and Refused belong there. They have inspired us, and it feels fantastic that we can welcome both of them to Rosendal this year.”

Now, we don’t know what exactly Refused mean when they say this is their “final festival.” Does that mean they’re going back into an indefinite hiatus? Are they just focusing on smaller venues moving forward? No one knows at this point.

It would be a shame to think they’re done for real this time, especially given how good their albums Freedom and War Music, as well as their contribution to shit like Cyberpunk 2077, has been since their return. Hopefully we’ll learn more about what the future holds for this incredibly influential band.