Some braved the rain on the first day.
– The bag ban and the weather could be contributing factors, Brännström said. He hasn't had a chance to fully debrief with festival staff yet, he told Norran.
While exact attendance figures are unavailable, organizers observed a significant increase in visitors on Saturday compared to those on Friday's rainy weather.
– It's difficult to say definitively at this point, but it felt like attendance was lower than last year's estimated 14,000 over the entire festival, Brännström admitted.
Fans sheltering from the rain on Friday.
The weather was much better on Saturday. Here Loney Dear plays his set.
– With people coming and going throughout the day at our open festival, the total number likely falls somewhere between 8,000 and 9,000. A more detailed evaluation is planned for later.
The recently implemented bag ban due to heightened terror threats in Sweden might be another factor influencing attendance.
– For a free festival, the ability to bring a change of clothes or a bag is something people appreciate, Brännström explained.
– Entry staff also noticed many attendees arriving with bags, and they clearly found the bag ban inconvenient.
If the ban remains in place, Brännström hopes for alternative solutions such as bag checks at entry points.
– It's the contents, not the bags themselves, that pose a threat. We need to start discussions early for next year.
Jonathan Norén Brännström, the festival organizer.
Despite the lower-than-anticipated attendance, Brännström remains optimistic. He's satisfied with the booked acts, the smooth execution of the event, and most importantly, a renewed commitment from volunteers.
With roughly 110 core members and additional volunteers, Trästock ran efficiently.
– We've made a strong comeback after the pandemic, Brännström concluded.
– The organization has recovered, and engaging volunteers was a significant challenge that we overcame. This bodes well for the future!
The festival organizer believes that more than just the weather and the "no bag" rule affected the number of visitors. He speculates that the pandemic may have drawn a new audience to Trästock, who have since found other things to do.