High diagrams with PMMP
One of the most anticipated performers of Saturday evening made devices measuring the Richter, atmosphere and decibel scales all plot high diagrams.
PMMP drove the last clouds off the sky much to the exhiliration of the festival audience.This was done with care by moving delicately from dark pathos of the beginning to the catchier and more cheerful hits which transferred the musical vibrations directly to the feet of the sweaty audience. During the acoustic treat in the form of the sentimentally fragile cover song Pikkuveli the band gave also room for the melodious guitar and made the members of the audience grab the nearest spare hand.
Although would be easy to assume that PMMP’s set list would only have room for songs familiar from the hit lists, the band never fails to take the audience by surprise. The less familiar songs such as Päät soittaa and Kovemmat kädet were undeniably refreshing moments in the middle of the hit medley. Equal amusement was provided by the topics of the speeches, ranging from baby clothing to James Hetfield. In its entirety the show was full of surprises and contrasts. Is there any other similar blond/brunette female duo that can be on stage wearing glitter tops and yet be taken seriously as musicians? I suspect that this magnetic bubble created by finding a balance between the contrasts is one of the best planned tactics behind PMMP’s success.
Coming back to the diagrams, I suggest that the final diagram of the gig was something completely different than the typical linear continuum. The opening song Maria Magdalena shared the same saturnine mood with the bridge of the song Leskiäidin tyttäret heard at the end of the set. Understanding the choices of songs may seem difficult at first but after the summer PMMP is going to take an undefined break from touring. Let us then take this as their way of saying goodbye to the audience - for an undefined period of time.
Text: Siiriliina Riikonen
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen
Photo: Eetu Mononen