[4][5][6] The festival's backstage area was jokingly dubbed a "man-pen" (Swedish: manshage) by organisers, in reference to male technicians, managers and members of artists' entourages who would generally reside there.

[7] In a September 2017 interview, the organisers discussed having hired lawyers to provide legal counsel with regards to legislation on the equal treatment of men and women.

[8][9] Among the booked artists are Frida Hyvönen and Dolores Haze,[10] Maxida Märak, Radula, Beatrice Eli,[11] Ionnalee and British rock band Girlschool.

[13] In July 2018, the Swedish Equality Ombudsman initiated an inquiry on whether the organisers are breaking the laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender.

[15][16] In December 2018, the Equality Ombudsman ruled that not welcoming men who aren't transgender as well as calling the festival "man free" constituted gender discrimination.