Ilosaarirock Festival 2012 first performers revealed

13th Feb 2012

In the summer of 2012, you can come to Joensuu to witness the much hyped brit band The xx (UK). Performing a spectacle with Joensuu City Orchestra is the soulful Antony and the Johnsons (USA). Other highlights include punk rock great Against Me! (USA), up and coming alternative rock quartet Pulled Apart by Horses (UK), Jamaican reggae star Richie Spice (JAM) and the electro duo from Berlin, Modeselektor (GER).

Those of you who prefer your music to be a bit more complicated will surely love the post rock band 65daysofstatic (UK) and all you metal fans can appreciate the Swedish Nasum (SWE) taking the time on their farewell tour to come and play in Ilosaarirock. By the way, Mieszko Talarczyk – who died in 2004 – will be substituted by the Rotten Sound and Medeia screamer Keijo Niinimaa. Goran Bregović, the superstar of the Eastern Europe, brings with His Wedding and Funeral Orchestra (BIH) a taste of Balkan to Eastern Finland.

From the Finnish bands we have (to mention a few) Children of Bodom, Apocalyptica, PMMP, Chisu, Paleface, Pariisin Kevät and GG Caravan. We also released the program for the festival's opening Sulo Club in its entirety. Performing at the club are Michael Monroe, Stam1na, Viikate, Kauko Röyhkä & Narttu and Haloo Helsinki. All in all we have now revealed half of the program. The complete list of the confirmed bands can be found here.

We're so excited about everything we can hardly wait until July! The tickets will be available to purchase on April 2nd and new news and bands can be expected before that. Take a look around the new website and tell us what you want from Ilosaarirock. Smell you later!

Ilosaarirock Festival 2012, confirmed line-up by February 13th:

The xx (UK)
Antony and the Johnsons (USA) & Joensuu City Orchestra
65daysofstatic (UK)
Against Me! (USA)
Goran Bregović & His Wedding and Funeral Orchestra (BIH)
Modeselektor (GER)
Nasum (SWE)
Pulled Apart by Horses (UK)
Richie Spice (JAM)

Apocalyptica
Children of Bodom
Chisu
Eva & Manu
French Films
GG Caravan
Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset
Insomnium
Jare & VilleGalle
Kuningassoundi Rentoshow
Liimanarina
Nerve End
Paleface
Pariisin Kevät
PMMP
Reckless Love
Regina
Swallow the Sun
The Three Smiths Show: Gracias, Noah Kin, Ekow
Tundramatiks

Sulo Club:
Haloo Helsinki
Kauko Röyhkä & Narttu
Michael Monroe
Stam1na
Viikate