SMG conquered with sensitivity and power
First the ruggedly beautiful Joisin viskin ja nousisin. Continued with the rhythmically rolling Naurava turskan kallo. And after that Scandinavian Music Group had the audience in a tight grip - and didn’t loosen it at any point.
Not that the audience would’ve wanted it. Finland’s perhaps most undiluted pop band of the moment got an eager reception, and the eagerness only grew when the gig forged ahead. The audience knew the lyrics by heart, and almost every song was welcomed with a cheer.
The set list relied mainly on the songs of the latest Missä olet Laila album, emphasising the recent country influences, well heard for example on Miikka Paatelainen’s steel guitar. Näin minä vihellän matkani hinted that the style will continue on the next album as well. Mustana, maidolla, kylmänä, kuumana is without a doubt one of the best Finnish pop songs of all time, and the version heard was more upbeat and banging than the recorded one.
Although the band played on the main stage, the atmosphere was almost intimate. Antti Lehtinen’s speeches created a relaxed ambience, and the group’s sense of togetherness came across clearly. Still it can’t be denied that the true queen of the stage was Terhi Kokkonen, who in her entire presence managed to express such sensitivity and power it made you want to fall on your knees.
The encores were also carefully chosen. First the lyrical Lopulta olemme kuitenkin yksin, accompanied only by a guitar, followed by the rollicking 100 km Ouluun. At that point it was completely irrelevant whether it rained or not.
Text: Jussi Suvanto
Photo: Tuomas Vitikainen
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen