ilosaarirock 
Pariisin Kevät / photo: Sampsa Geijer
It’s been a year. The birch trees sway gently in the sweet summer breeze, the beer goes down smooth and the grass is green where I lay. I’m ready for Sulo Club, I’m ready for Ilosaari. The greatest weekend of the year is about to begin.
The Sulo Club on Ilosaari Friday, always and forever my favorite, brings together some of the finest acts in Finnish music year after year. If you ever wish to find out what this nation is all about, come to Joensuu in July and Sulo shall show you the way. As if Anssi Kela, Pariisin Kevät and Eläkeläiset weren’t enough to make a music lover’s evening, Eppu Normaali, the revered Finnish rock legends, are also here and set to take the stage in just a few short hours. Today is a good day to be alive.
The eyes and grins of two old friends widen as they recognize each other in the crowd. A hearty hug takes place as Pariisin Kevät rocks on in the background. A group of girls dance like nobody’s watching under the crispest full moon you’ve ever seen. This is it. This is what we have been waiting for through all those long and dark winter months; the joy of Ilosaari rekindled.
I call upon Sonik, a group of local boys performing beautifully in the Lounge, to capture the spirit of Sulo and Ilosaarirock in one elegant line: “Aion rakastaa aivan hullun lailla ja unelmoida järkee vailla”, or “I mean to love like mad and dream out of my mind”. Couldn’t have sung it better myself. On this date, there is no place I’d rather be.
Text: Jyrki Laitinen
Photo: Sampsa Geijer
