Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset: a bash on the head
The most famous baldie of Western Finland, Herra Ylppö, together with his band Ihmiset made noise on the main stage on Saturday afternoon. Angry clouds overshadowed the event, but thanks to the gloomy, but in no way po-faced, general attitude, the band’s music doesn’t really require the presence of the sun.
Good gigs usually feature a distinct beginning and end. Ihmiset took the guidline word by word: the gig started with an intro titled Alku (Beginning) and ended with the brooding Loppu (End). In the middle the band played through practically the entire Sata vuotta album. Even this wasn’t enough, but the band borrowed also from the treasure chest of Tuomari Nurmio’s works by covering Lasten mehuhetki. The daring cover proved to be successful and worked well with the hands of Ihmiset.
The eternally familiar fiend of Finnish summer, in other words rain, tried its best to make the audience to feel uncomfortable. With the aid of raincoats and umbrellas the festival audience patiently crowded the front of the stage. Though the time was relatively early, no one was asleep. When Herra Ylppö wanted noise, that’s what he received.
Despite the early hour and faltering weather the gig can be considered a success. When the band can offer rocking pieces such as Kleopatra and Mellakka, the final result can’t be anything but spanking. It’s still worthwhile to ponder what Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset would sound like in more intimate surroundings and at later hour. Maybe the band would have potential to do slightly better. Nevertheless, a convincing performance also in these circumstances.
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen