Sommartider – the almost true story of Gyllene Tider premiered in Swedish cinemas on 17th July 2024. The movie got Sounds of Summer as the English title (probably inspired by the 2003 compilation album of The Beach Boys) and after being available in Australia, now it makes exclusive US & UK debuts on Viaplay streaming service on 18th September 2025.
Watch the trailer HERE!
Close out this season on a high note with Sounds of Summer – a high-energy, music-filled and “almost true” story of legendary Swedish pop sensation Gyllene Tider, one of the most successful bands in Sweden ever. Fronted by Per Gessle, who would later become the co-founder of Roxette, the band lit up the charts with infectious pop-rock anthems like “Sommartider” (1982), “När vi två blir en” (1980), “Flickorna på TV2” (1980), and “Ska vi älska, så ska vi älska till Buddy Holly” (1980). Gessle himself was a consultant on the film, adding authenticity and heart to the story.
Directed by Per Simonsson (Black Lake) and named after the band’s most enduring hit, Sommartider (Sounds of Summer) is a breezy, very inspiring 97-minute ride that follows Gessle from small-town outsider to pop trailblazer. It begins with his all-consuming love for music, and his bond with fellow musicians MP, Micke, Anders, and Göran. In their small town of Halmstad, these teenagers begin jamming together, sparking big dreams of pop stardom. Even with a sickly father dismissing Gessle’s ambitions and constant jibes about his singing or lack of a “real job”, Per becomes even more determined to prove them wrong.
Sounds of Summer captures the band’s highs and lows on the road to chart-topping fame – sweaty rehearsals, intimate local gigs, and recording sessions that would yield Swedish pop classics. We see their clashes with skeptical record executives in Stockholm, their early tours around Sweden, and their growing bond as friends and musicians. Their perseverance culminates in the runaway success of “Sommartider” in 1982, cementing their place in Sweden’s pop culture history. Although they officially disbanded in 1985, Gyllene Tider has reunited several times since.
With heart, humor, and plenty of toe-tapping music, Sounds of Summer is a love letter to the power of friendship, determination, and the thrill of chasing big dreams with your bandmates.
Sounds of Summer (Sommartider) was directed by Per Simonsson and produced by Nevis Productions for Viaplay. The standout ensemble cast features Valdemar Wahlbeck as Per Gessle, Ville Lövgren as Mats “MP” Persson, Phoenix Parnevik as Micke Syd Andersson, Lancelot Hedman Graaf as Anders Herrlin, Xawier Kulas as Göran Fritzon, and Ella Tiritiello as Marie Fredriksson.
Viaplay film, 1 x 97”, Swedish with English subtitles, 2024
