That Samuli Putro is a fine man. He and his friends kick of the Sunday at the Main Stage. The weather is nearing perfection, with the sun shining down upon the festival crowds. Älä sammu aurinko (“Don’t stop shining, sun”) is one of the first songs of the set, and the sun is not going to stop, even though a few clouds wander over to cast a shadow to the sunny mood at Ilosaari. Adding to the birthday celebrations, the song just became one year old, you remember how it debuted here at Ilosaari last year? Raise your hand if you were there!
This is the best hangover cure. Putro is at his finest, flirting with the audience, and chatting up people. The easy-going jamming is doublegood and guaranteed to remove any nasty residues of last night’s parties from the crowd. Putro is admittetly quite the poet, onstage and in his songs, telling truths both big and small about life, the universe and everything. They’re delivered in a unceremonious and innocent style. Or can you disagree, with Helismaa, Elämä on juhla or Tuhkaa korulippaassa?
Putro and his friends are great in all their straight-talking, yes-yes-yes jamming. It’s not hard to join in on this choir. One could dance away another day’s hangover, but all good things must come to an end. This was an excellent start for an excellent Sunday that saw the last song too soon.
Text: Kaisa Kauppinen
Photo: Tomi Palsa
Translation: Jaakko Suvanto
