Kickoff for Ilosaarirock at Sulo
51koodia had the honour of opening this year’s Ilosaarirock at Friday’s Sulo club. In the recent years the band has managed to climb to the Finnish metal frontier - which wasn’t left unclear during the gig. Although at the beginning of the set the tent was only half full, places in the front rows were taken well in advance. And it didn’t take long for more and more curious people to arrive to witness the undertakings of the Joensuu-based group. They probably weren’t disappointed by what they saw: the group performed with full force, offering hard-edged riff fire for the eager audience.
Finns are known to be reserved, but it isn’t a secret that rock music helps people to lose the extra tension and restrains. There was no need for the band to warm up the audience: from the first moments the audience was in the game, encouraging the band to give its best. If the groups origins were still unfamiliar to some in the beginning, the encore - Leevi and the Leavings cover Pohjois-Karjala - made the band’s North Carelian roots known to all.
Klaus Thunder & Ukkosmaine is a cult phenomenon, and one really doesn’t need to wonder why. The tight and punchy beats combined with boisterous stage performances is a guaranteed success. Though some pairs of jaws may still have dropped in the audience, the front row knew what to expect. The duo, with both stylish and comical appearance, put the members of the audience on their knees with the confident and vigorous performance. Even if the singer looks suspiciously like the figurehead of Scorpions, no watered-down power ballads were heard on Friday night. These boys are of different stock! And where else would they be from than Joensuu.
Troupers and guaranteed drive
Compared to the preceding act, 22-Pistepirkko seemed undoubtedly more toned down, but nevertheless well-working. Above all the trio concentrated on playing, though some speeches were heard as well. The group offered selected pearls from their lengthy career, but the much wished for Birdy wasn’t heard. But who cares when such songs as Rat King, This Time and Frankenstein were played instead? If the corners of the audience members’ mouths can be trusted, the song selections were pleasing and the fans of the band weren’t left untouched.
With the latest (Well You Know) Stuff Is Like We Yeah! album vocals were spread more evenly, and consequently Espe Haverinen got to open his vocal ligaments also at Sulo. No complaints there, but it has to be said it’s is P-K Keränen’s unique voice that adds the final touch to the otherwise almost perfect package.
Another trouper that needs further introductions is Kari Peitsamo. Peitsamo dedicated his set to summer and sun, and the songs performed were chosen accordingly. The set list included many corner stones of his career, and he also humbly played some songs wished by the audience during the gig.
Peitsamo’s charisma alone is enough to fill even a bigger stage, but above it all the man also decided to put on a show. Smoke and strobe lights were featured once the artist asked for them. At times the troubadour was hard to spot in the midst of all the smoke, but the main thing is that he was heard and everyone had a good time. The wrecked stool might have had its objections, but not much can be done when the devil takes better of the performer. The gig was interactive and an overall success. And when the audience was absolutely fantastic as well, no one had a reason to frown.
Stam1na has already become a heavyweight giant, and delivered an intensive performance to the friends of metal music. Songs from all three albums were heard during the gig with the intensity throughout remaining on a level that is almost scary. Topless seemed to be the dresscode in the audience when the eager Stam1na fans raised their fists thick and fast in rhythm of the well-known numbers. The tent was almost full and especially in the pit the audience probably felt like tinned sardines at times. Luckily refreshing showers of water were delivered to the sweaty festival folk. Afterwards the general feeling was probably slightly weary, but the powerful gig was well worth it.
M.A. Numminen did it again! Together with Pedro Hietanen, Numminen took the audience back to the feeling of decades already far in the past. The songs from the 60s and 70s swooped away even those members of the audience who weren’t even twinkles in their fathers’ eyes when the songs were first made. The biggest hits weren’t heard at all, but Numminen’s most grotesque lyrics were featured in their place. The German language and the Winter War themed rock, not to mention the depictions of student life, drove the audience to a state that could be described as ecstatic.
With Hanoi Rocks the clubbers were brought nearer to the present day. The gig was played with a professional grip, and Michael Monroe tested the structural aspects of the stage during Tragedy. The final snap back to the present moment was brought by the new radio hit Fashion. At the end of the gig all the couples could lean on each other with the familiar words “don’t you ever leave me baby…” enforcing the feeling from the direction of the stage. The choral singing between Hanoi and the audience was guaranteed.
There was no choice but to respect Tuomari Nurmio. The experience and atmosphere leaves you speechless. Nurmio’s charisma and performance can only be respected, listened and enjoyed - and this is exactly what the audience did.
If this year’s Sulo was time travel to the past decades of rock, it’s only justified to let the Kotiteollisuus close the evening. Although slight madness and extreme drunkness were reflected in the eyes of the audience, in his speeches Jouni Hynynen settled with comparing the size of the brains of the boys in the front row to his own biceps. East of Hell, and the problematics of love, what could be a better kickoff to what has the potential to be the best weekend of the entire summer?
Text: Jukka Kastinen & Kaisa Kauppinen
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen