Those who were expecting a sensitive troubadour to perform at the Sue-stage, were in for a disappointment or for a big surprise at the very least. Instead of a faerie prince, the audience was greeted by Ville Leinonen wearing a thick moustache, a jeans jacket and a pair of highway patrol sunglasses. This cool rockabilly rooster was accompanied by a trio called Majakan Soittokunta,  equipped with a cello and a saxophone, and additionally with various pots and pans. The chameleon has once again changed its pattern. (lisää…)

Imogen Heap’s dynamic voice gets the crowds full atenttion at YleX- stage. It’s time for Just for now.  Heap starts to teach the song to the audience like a proper choir leader. The audience sings the backing vocals while Heap takes the lead. Few seconds later the YleX- stage is a one big Imogen Heap singalong and everybody, including Heap, enjoys every minute of it.

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If somebody thinks that guys don’t dance they should go and see I was a Teenage Satan Worship. Saturday’s fifth act at Rekkalava- stage had a smooth dance-session in the cold summer evening. Hypnotic synthpop echoed in the air and the crowd danced like never before to the very end. (lisää…)

Even though George the Boy King Bush has been removed from the throne, Bad Religion still has work to do. The social injustices and the down-right crookedness of the world are the main ingredients from which the 30-year-old tyrannosaurus of punk rock cooks its songs. It’s Bad Religion’s anniversary year and it is well justified that they are the main event on Saturday evening. The long years do not weigh on their shoulders; the band pulled no punches during the gig.

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As the day started to set at Rentolava- stage Kemmuru started the evening with funky beats. By the time Ray Charles everybody around Rentolava were jamming with Kemmuru. The rap group put out a possitive vibe with their energetic stage show and the party had started.

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There couldn’t have been a better opening for Rekkalava, as Jukka Poika & Sound Explosion took the spot of the first band. The first beats flew the audience straight into the heart of Caribbean, as soft sand floated around from feet stomping on the beach sand. Those in need of some cooling down followed the concert from the lake. (lisää…)

Empowering, that’s what Katatonia’s gig was all about.  When the stage is full of guys devoted to their music it always glows energy.  Going through the whole repertory of emotions, all in all Katatonia’s performance was an cleansing experience.

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It’s a fact that quality heavy metal and the YleX- stage is a match made in heaven. DevilDriver made no exception to this. The crowd was already warmed up and ready for some head banging as DevilDriver took the stage. There were no signs of jetlag and the group kept the tempo high through out the show.

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Joensuu’s own boy Ismo Alanko is a living Ilosaarirock legend. The man has seen more Ilosaarirock festivals than most of us and he has a special place in finnish rock history. His performance in this year’s Ilosaarirock was no exception to the previous ones. One hour of high quality finnish rock with 30-years experience.

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Ukkosmaine (freely translated Thunder Reputation) is an icon of Joensuu all around Finland. Their thunder sign in a T- shirt tells that the person wearing the shirt has got some connections to Joensuu. Ukkosmaine brings Joensuu based people together wherever they tour in Finland and they have a huge fanbase in their hometown. That’s why on saturday evening the true party was at Rekkalava- stage where Ukkosmaine spread their message of love as the last act of the day.

(lisää…)