The seven piece band's trumpet player Alexander was celebrating his birthday and what a perfect way to do it. And a perfect day.

As soon as they started playing the audience was loving it. It is impossible not to at least tap your toes inside your trainers but most people were dancing. And you didn't have tell them twice. One foot forwards, hey! Second foot back, they've been watching Madness videos.

"Come closer, enjoy the show!"

Sometimes the horn section manages to make their instruments sound so low and jazzy it felt like they were recording the title music to an old 30's black and white gangster film. The guitar solos break the songs and even though one can't understand what they singing (they sing in russian) it doesn't matter. The singer knows "Kiitos!" though: "thank you" in Finnish.

This type of sound is perfect for the new Relax stage and all the artists and staff down there have been very plaesed with it. Hopefully we'll have the Relax stage at Ilosaari Rock again next year.

And I hope the boys from St.Petersburg come back as well.

Lärwi xxx

Photo: Riikka Kurki