Ever since the album Kurimus (2003), Mokoma's career has been on a steadfastly upward turn. Last year's Tämän maailman ruhtinaan hovi promoted the band to an altogether new level of success. One of Mokoma's greatest strengths — not to mention their vigorous live performances — is their versatility. Not many bands can get away with such musical opposites as Vade retro, satana! and the radio hit Uni saa tulla. But Mokoma is not only about loudness and heaviness, they are also about great melodies.
Last summer Mokoma played an impressive number of gigs. Their appearance in Ilosaarirock was on Saturday amongst the very first, on the second stage that was a tent with capability to hold some 10,000 people. Before the event the band was doubtful as to whether anybody at all will find their way to the huge tent. More than just a few people did, and the result was an intense, dedicated and very sweaty performance before the largest audience during the entire summer. A newspaper interviewer last autumn wanted to know which was the best moment of summer 2004 for the band, and the answer was as follows:
Janne Hyrkäs (drums): "It was Ilosaarirock, no doubt whatsoever. It was just something magical."
Tuomo Saikkonen (guitar, vocals): "Though we have been on main stages on other festivals, the stage in Ilosaarirock was bloody enormous. And the noise from the crowd was unbelievable. I just had to keep my head down 'cos I almost had tears in my eyes."
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