Viagra Boys unveil emotional new material at Reading 2026
The breakthrough success of the Swedish punk six-piece Viagra Boys, especially with their 2025 album ‘Viagr Aboys’, has led to fascinating reflections on the creative journey behind their sound. Recently, the band opened up about the alchemy that produced their acclaimed work, sharing insights backstage at the Reading Festival where they performed on the Gallery Stage.
When asked about the magic behind the album’s creation, frontman Sebastian Murphy admitted that he felt a degree of self-loathing regarding how special the work was, a testament to the intense internal pressure of the process. Keyboard player Elias Jungqvist offered a more liberating perspective, suggesting that feeling that intensity is exactly when it is time to quit self-doubt.
Guitarist Linus Hillborg was equally surprised by the public reception, noting that he hadn’t expected the album to be so well-received. The creative dynamic behind Viagr Aboys was further shaped by their collaboration with Pelle Gunnerfeldt of the rock band Fireside, which resulted in their first official self-production credit on a Viagra Boys record. This dynamic, Murphy explained, provided a necessary balance, fostering diverse ideas rather than a singular vision.
The band emphasized the importance of varied input, arguing that having multiple perspectives—where one person might hold a strong idea, and another might push back—is healthy for artistic growth. This collaborative approach allowed them to explore different musical forms and shapes, leading to a richer tapestry of sound.
The album was recorded within their own creative headquarters, located in a former cement factory in Stockholm. This marked the first time the six-piece had recorded an entire album in their own space, transforming their physical environment into a vital part of their sound.
The personal space undoubtedly fostered a different creative atmosphere. Jungqvist noted that making Viagr Aboys gave them the necessary time to truly explore riffs, songs, keys, and various musical forms, marking a significant departure from their previous work.
As the band looks toward the future, they are actively working on new material, currently recording demos and riffs. While pinpointing the style of the upcoming work is proving difficult, Jungqvist promised it would remain “eclectic rock’n’roll.”
A powerful thread running through their evolving sound, however, seems to be the theme of emotion. Jungqvist pointed to bassist Henrik ‘Benke’ Höckert, who was intensely focused on this concept, shouting about the necessity of emotions. Murphy reflected on this shift, noting that Höckert was recently discovering the power of emotions, which is now shaping the direction of their next creative steps.
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