Samuli Putro is one of the few Finnish musicians who can be said to have left a lasting mark on Finnish popular culture. When the Ilosaarirock festival office heard about Putro’s dream of performing “at least one more time” at Laulurinne, we wasted no time picking up the phone and inviting Putro to once again grace the Ilosaarirock stage.

If Samuli Putro were to be described in one word, we would call him a genius. A witty lyricist and artist whose lyrics and melodies express emotions for which words simply cannot be found. We’d bet even our Putro inspired hats that every Finn can name at least one Samuli Putro or Zen Café song that has left a lasting impression on them. For us, due to biased reasons, it’s Älä sammu aurinko, but for you, it might be something else. And that’s what Putro’s music is all about. Witness his greatness live at Ilosaarirock “at least one more time”!

The distinctive indie-pop sensation pehmoaino, also known as Aino Morko, has now become synonymous with phenomenal Finnish music. pehmoaino’s debut EP kaukana kotoa, released in 2022, laid the foundation for the young artist’s success story, which has since propelled her into the ranks of the most popular Finnish music creators.

pehmoaino’s music is simultaneously poignant and comforting, easily approachable yet wrapped in a hazy dreamlike mystique. It’s both hard-hitting and soft. The songs resonate deep within the core, and the lyrics linger in the mind long after the music stops playing. There’s no other soloist, songwriter, or performer quite like pehmoaino, and there never will be. Now is the perfect time to jump aboard the pehmoaino train.

Long live EDM – the powerhouse electronic music duo Chase & Status (UK), among the heavyweights of their genre, is bringing their colossal live show to Ilosaarirock in July! Producers Saul “Chase” Milton and Will “Status” Kennard, who have been creating music together for nearly 20 years, are known for their intoxicatingly pure and irresistibly catchy drum & bass hooks that can rev up even the weariest partygoer.

Rising to the awareness of the younger generation with their massive 2023 hit Baddadan, Chase & Status is a shining example of a duo whose foot on the gas pedal shows no signs of letting up, despite the miles traveled. They’re forging ahead, dropping banging tracks along the way. Performing with their live ensemble at Ilosaarirock, Chase & Status is guaranteed to deliver one of the most deliciously danceable festival experiences in our history. Get ready for an electrifying journey with these masters of musical mayhem!

Finnish punk rock group Huora is the epitome of their genre. Constructed from tight riffs and powerful, socially conscious lyrics, their songs stick to your head like glue and come alive with an electrifying energy live, as the scene’s most charismatic vocalist Anni Lötjönen and her bandmates kick up a storm.

Rumors suggest that the group’s fourth album, set to be released in the spring of 2024, will firmly secure Huora’s position as the hardest-hitting live act in the country, and it’s no wonder – the band’s enchanting power truly lies in their fiercely energetic, sweat-drenched, and ecstatic performances that never fail to move the soul and stir the heart. Their infectious energy ignites the desire to rebel, but always in the name of good causes and good music. Just as true punks do.

Emerging from our western neighbor to make their mark on the world stage, the post-punk band Viagra Boys (SE) is not here to play games. Fueled by synthetic kraut, psychedelic disco, and modern rock, the band’s saturated sound blazes at full throttle, and the messages behind the songs are potent. In lyrics tinted with satire and dark humor, topics range from right-wing populism to hypermasculinity and conspiracy theories.

The six-member Viagra Boys exude something primal in their performance. The pulsating beat of their songs finds its true power in front of a live audience, where neither speed nor sweat is spared on stage or in the crowd. It’s high time to bring these Swedes to Laulurinne!

One of the most successful domestic bands and esteemed names in metal, Stam1na will grace the stage at Ilosaarirock for a truly special performance, accompanied by the Joensuu City Orchestra!

With “just” 28 years of music-making under their belts, Stam1na is not just a metal band; they are a metal institution. A vital entity in society, an establishment, and fundamentally impacting the essence and actions of humanity. Throughout the band’s extensive career, they’ve not only shaped the Finnish heavy music scene but have also proven, release after release, the truly unique nature of Stam1na.

Delivering blistering thrash, intricate riffs, and choruses grander than oceans, this wildly talented and tirelessly industrious group is just as breathtaking live as they are on record. And when their music is accentuated by the thunderous presence of an entire orchestra, the result is guaranteed to be something unprecedented.

The Joensuu City Orchestra is an energetic and diverse 35-member symphony orchestra, which has graced the stages of Ilosaarirock over the years alongside acts like CMX, Samuli Putro, and Insomnium. Conducting the collaborative performance between Stam1na and the Joensuu City Orchestra is the seasoned maestro Krzysztof Dobosiewicz, known for his involvement in several Ilosaarirock projects.

What do you get when you combine some of Finland’s (and the world’s) most skilled and experienced rock musicians and sprinkle on top copious amounts of authentic 90s and 2000s guitar and vocal-driven rock sound? The world’s best band, aka Moon Shot, naturally!

Formed by the superb Ville Malja, Jussi Ylikoski, Mikko Hakila, and Henkka Seppälä, the band doesn’t compromise on intensity, vision, or attitude. While drawing musical influences from the past, Moon Shot flows with the timeless waters of rock ‘n’ roll. And let us be the first to tell you, it’s the freshest water in the world! Best enjoyed live in concert.

Get your life jackets on – London-based Dumb Buoys Fishing Club (UK) is taking us on a boat ride inspired by noughties hip-hop! The band’s chaotically energetic sound grabs onto you like a fish on a hook and refuses to let go.

Dumb Buoys Fishing Club, who’ve just recently released their debut album, is composed of esteemed producers DanDlion and Havelock. Beyond their catchy and visually engaging songs, the band is passionate about their live shows, which they describe as spectacular. Who are we to argue? You definitely don’t want to miss the spectacle of this newcomer’s performance!

Crafting melodious rap, Tupe. stands out as one of the most captivating emerging talents in his genre. Rising to prominence, especially through TikTok, the 23-year-old artist swiftly ascended the ranks of the Finnish music scene with the sensational single Elli (feat. Vepu). And that was just the beginning.

Despite his young age, Tupe. is a skilled and confident storyteller, drawing inspiration from the highs and lows of his own life. With poignant and relatable lyrics, Tupe.’s performances are bound to stir intense emotions at Ilosaarirock. Prepare to be enthralled!

An eclectic pioneer of Finnish rap, MELO stands at the forefront of the new wave, perhaps even in a genre of their own. Despite their young age, MELO has already earned the title of a musical chameleon. While genres and concepts may change, one thing remains constant: MELO’s unwavering vision and piercingly clear self-expression.

MELO makes a highly anticipated return to Laulurinne in July, and rumor has it that beneath the hood lies a collection of some of the sharpest electronic rap this country has ever heard. We have no doubt about it. See you at the gig!

Hailing from Joensuu, the fresh talent of indie pop, Goldielocks, is on the verge of something big. With a distinctive, powerful voice, Goldielocks has captured the attention of both domestic and international audiences. Having released only one EP, this artist is already being hailed as the next Finnish export sensation. And it’s not hard to see why.

Goldielocks is not just an exceptional singer but also a talented lyricist. Their recently dropped debut EP, East to South, is a brilliant showcase of a lyrical storyteller, and we’re honored to witness the unfolding of this artist’s journey. We’re ready for your Ilosaarirock debut, Goldielocks!

Get your helmets ready, festival folks – the crackling post-punk and noisy alternative rock blending HotWax (UK) is set to get even the most sluggish festival day in motion! Drawing comparisons to the likes of The White Stripes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, HotWax has only released two EPs so far, but the path to stardom – and the world’s most coveted stages – has been open since their very first notes.

The trio, consisting of lead vocalist-guitarist Tallulah Sim-Savage, bassist Lola Sam, and drummer Alfie Sayers, spares nothing and no one in their music. HotWax, hailed as the next big guitar band from the British Isles, simultaneously pays homage to grunge pioneers while flipping the bird at genre purists: a perfect blend of old and new cacophony, splatter, and pure raw energy. Come witness the future greatness live at Ilosaarirock this summer!

Championing the cause of synthesizers, Aavikko, the unconventional anomaly in Finnish electronic music, is back! While the band’s name might suggest a dry and sandy desert (‘aavikko’ means desert in Finnish), a more fitting description of their music is fluid and seamless. Branding itself as a fusion of mystique and music, Aavikko effortlessly carries the audience away from the very first beats.

For those seeking a live experience brimming with motion and rhythm, catching Aavikko’s performance at Ilosaarirock is essential. The trio’s on-stage delivery surpasses even the smoothness of their recorded tracks, setting an energetic tone for the entire festival weekend; it’s a definite invitation to hit the dance floor!

Having hatched from his epic denim egg on the Eurovision stage, Windows95man is here to amp up the festival vibe on Ilosaarirock’s Friday night. The late-night disco will be blasting a full arsenal of quality party hits – no rules!