Let’s get physical!

44-year-old Ilosaarirock sports (pun intended) a lot of extra activies, some of which are music-related and some are not. Sporty and physical activities fall into the latter group. There is table tennis, yoga and skate-boarding, just to mention few. Yes, even rock stars go jogging and to the gym, but when one thinks about rock festivals, sports is not what comes to mind... Web press asked Paavo Raappana, the chairperson of Joensuun Popmuusikot ry, and this is what he had to say about rock and physicality.

Yoga at Niittyleirintä camping. Photo: Camilla Hanhirova

Paavo, what is the deal with all the healthy activies? Isn’t rock enough to satisfy the festical goers anymore?
-Well, rock is enough for some, but good old sweat-breaking exercise is a growing trend in the festival crowd, and it does give a great rush. Besides, roller derby and skate-boarding have strong ties to music, and as such are a natural addition to Ilosaarirock.

What about yoga? I guess relaxation and deep breathing is a good thing once in while.
– You bet. When you start your morning with asana instead of absinthe, you tend to be more energetic.

What else is there, besides yoga?
– There’s your basic exercising in the Ravileirintä camping. Last year’s surprise hit table tennis has made a return, and then there’s juggling with the wandering circus performers. And of course, there is the SUP boarding at the beach.

SUP boarding seems to be the flavour of the summer. Where did the idea for the boarding and the other activities come from?
– We at Ilosaarirock crew are always trying to keep up with the currents in our artist choices, we are applying the same principle to other activities as well. Keeping our eyes and ears open to wishes makes thing so much easier.

Text: Web press
Translation: Jari Rytkönen
Photo: Camilla Hanhirova