It is Saturday in Ilosaarirock. Sun is shining and Tuomo is performing. Hmm, what year is it? Tuomo performs now the second time in row at Ilosaarirock and the weather is almost similar than the previous year. This is, of course, a good thing, because what could be better in order to get the people shake their gluteus maximus than a lovely sunshine? Well, the good dance music, of course!

“Downgrading” Tuomo from Main Stage to Rentolava was a superb idea from the organisers. The keyboard virtuoso and solid anti-showman is doing better in slightly smaller settings and the audience can have their hula hula shaking.

Tuomo has added some Latin jazz influences to his sound. There is a new drummer in the band, who is not completely able to replace the predecessor Mikko Kaakkuriniemi. The rhythms have lost a few slices of firmness, which is compensated though by the band’s stong professional consistence.  Like so many times before at festivals, the easier material doesn’t attract the audience and Tuomo’s laconic, sometimes even boring speaks do not stir up the crowd. Finally, they play Don’t Take It So Hard and the people go completely nuts. The song gives a good end to the show.

And the answer to the question in the topic is: People were dancing, at least most of the time.

Jetro Oras-Laine

Translation Aaron Kallinen