As the home of Santa Claus and what with Christmas being but a few days away, it’s only fitting that Finland is this week’s travel guide. But instead of Kris Kringle’s native city of Lapland, we’re heading further down south to the country’s capital, Helsinki.
Few people know much about the Scandinavian country and fewer still are aware of the music scene. Think of Finnish music and the most popular song you probably didn’t realise was from the country was Boomfunk MC’s ‘Freestyler’. Or maybe you remember The Rasmus? Their song ‘In the Shadows’ was a worldwide hit in 2004.
Eurovision fans will no doubt remember Lordi’s 2006 win with ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ and of course their crazy monster masks and elaborate costumes.
It was Finland’s first ever Eurovision win as the country is notoriously bad at the world’s biggest song contest.
But if anything, that should be indicative of the Finns love of good music rather than trashy Euro pop with metal and rock fans in for a treat.
Characterised by a freezing and snow filled winter, it’s in the summer months that tourists should flock to Helsinki.
The Finns are mad party goers and it’s not hard to understand why. With a long dark winter, where some days see little or no sunlight at all, they appreciate the sun and summer like few others could.
While rock and roll was considered unacceptable when it was first introduced in the 1950s, the Fins quickly fell for this style of music and it’s heavier counterparts.
There is no shortage of rock and metal bands coming out of Helsinki with gigs held all throughout the week.
Artists such as HIM and Apocalyptica have found success at home and abroad with their varying styles of the genre.
There is even a strong extreme metal scene present in the city, where the bands have a less accessible sound, but have found their audience in the underground.
While less prevailing, folk and contemporary folk as well as hip-hop also has its place in Helsinki’s music scene.
But apart from more contemporary styles of music that are popular inHelsinki and Finland, classical music reins supreme.
This can attributed to what is known as the ‘Sibelius effect’. Jean Sibelius, the composer is known for being prolific in the 1920s is one of the most famous Finns with the country even celebrating their flag day on the composer’s birthday.
Sibelius is such a cultural gem that has inspired younger generations of Finnish people to pick up a classical instrument. His popularity is so widespread that there is an academy named in his honour and musicians from all over the country vie for entrance into the coveted school.
As one of the world’s cleanest city’s there is little to dislike about Helsinki. You won’t find it hard searching for a rock music venue or a place to appreciate classical music.
And if you find their language daunting as many do, there is little to worry about as the Finns are quite proficient with their English.
The people might seem shy at first to international tourists, but catch them with a belly full of vodka or an ear full of live music and they’ll be more than happy to party with you.
Helsinki Festivals/Conferences
Flow Festival: Located at the centre of the city this festival is a must for lovers of indie music. In 2012 Flow Festival boasted a massive lineup which included the likes of Bon Iver, Bjork, The Black Keys, Lykke Li and Feist. Held since 2004 the four day festival is one of the country’s fastest growing and runs for four days in August. Attracting around 15,000 people a day, the festival has previously seen the likes of Kanye West, Lilly Allen, Vampire Weekend and Empire Of The Sun headline.
http://www.flowfestival.com/en/
Helsinki Festival: With over 200,000 visitors, this festival is the country’s largest celebration of the arts. Held throughout August and September the festival hosts a diverse program with music performances that range from classical to pop as well as dance events, visual art and film events. It is the best chance to experience the Finnish arts while the locals are undoubtedly in a party mood with the long summer days allowing street performers to do their thing until the early hours of the morning. The events situated around the city are entirely free.
http://www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi/en/
Garden Party: After experiencing a long dark winter, the Finns come out to party and soak up the sun as much as possible in Spring and Summer which makes the Garden Party Concert Series a popular event. Held on two separate days in June at a park adjacent to Hietaniemi beach, punters are afforded an intimate atmosphere. While the first night of the event in 2012 featured mainly Scandinavian acts with Sweden’s Niki & The Dove headlining, the second night featured impressive names such as Little Dragon, The Shins and Regina Spektor.
http://www.helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi/en/
Helisnki Record Stores
Digelius Music, Laivurinrinne 2, www.digelius.com
Since its inception in 1971 Digelius Music has exclusively sold titles from folk, ethnic, traditional, world, and jazz recordings. It’s Northern Europe’s largest supplier of such records with an inventory of 30,000 LPs. This record store is extremely passionate about their collection as witnessed by their mission statement: “We aggressively market and promote music of the highest quality, from the purely traditional to the most outlandish, undiscovered, unorthodox and uncompromising contemporary creations.”
A.H. Records, Fredrikinkatu 12 Punavuorim www.ahrecords.fi
Known as the best place in Helsinki to find rare releases, this record store also offers great quality decks and other vinyl accessories. For those searching for old school records the store also sells 78rpm shellac discs. A.H. Records has a great selection of 60s and 70s Finnish music and also sells 2nd hand as well as new LPs. The store is open from Wednesday’s to Saturday’s.
Stupido Records, Iso Roobertinkatu 20-22 Punavuori , www.stupido.fi
Primarily an indie label that was founded in 1988, Stupido records is also a record store, mail order service and a publishing company. The record store has sold vinyl from any genre and from any country for ten years. Due to its online presence Stupido records has found customers in people from all around the world.
Helsinki Bars
Nosturi, Telakkakatu 8, http://www.elmu.fi/
Meaning crane in Finnish, this venue literally has a crane outside its door. Located in downtown Helsinki, Nosturi hosts underground local acts as well as huge mainstream international acts. It also provides a rehearsal space for up to 50 bands, cementing it as one of the city’s most important venues for the underground music community. With two floors and three bars the warehouse looks just like an old brick building where manufacturing would take place. Plain and barren it may be, but this 900 capacity venue is central to Helsinki’s music scene. In the past it has hosted the likes of Example, Pennywise, Christina Perri, Yellowcard, The Wombats, Kings of Convenience and Biffy Clyro.
Apollo Live Club, Mannerheimintie 16 , http://www.apolloliveclub.fi/helsinki/
One of Helsinki’s foremost live music venues and nightclubs, the Apollo Live Club was previously a theatre. With three floors and many bars to visit, the main area includes a large dancefloor and a stage that hosts local and international acts. The venue also has a courtyard area for a more relaxing drink. With detailed artwork on the ceiling, and red couch booths lining the sides, the interior is extravagant and very impressive. The stage even has stairs on each side to a higher platform which places more emphasis on the particular drummer that is performing.
On the Rocks, Mikonkatu 15, www.ontherocks.fi
As its name suggests, this venue specialises in rock gigs. As one of the most popular rock venues in the city, it fills quickly with locals either heading straight to the upstairs bar or sticking around downstairs to get close to some of the country’s best bands. There is no place for extravagance here with the old style brick building giving a vintage yet simple feel. With live music on the agenda 3-4 times a week, this venue also hosts hard rock and metal acts.
Club Liberté, Kolmas Linja 34, http://www.clubliberte.fi/
With live music every day of the week, this venue is the place catch up-and-coming Finnish bands who are just starting out. Club Liberté features small rock bands in an intimate setting. Local fans of the underground scene and music enthusiasts are often found here. Cover bands can sometimes be found in attendance and if that isn’t quite your thing there is another room with billiard tables and large screens for sport events. While the outside might look plain, a neat feature wall with modern artwork can be seen in the billiard room as the band room is unassuming with red walls and couches giving the venue a dark feel.
Helsinki Acts You Should Check Out
Hexvessel – Soundcloud
This ‘forest folk’ band have been added to the 2013 SXSW lineup and have been rising fast since their debut album, Dawnbearer was released in 2011. Their sophomore release, No Holier Temple was critically acclaimed and took the band into more psychedelic territories. Listen to the track, ‘A Letter In Birch’ from the album below.
Apocalyptica – Soundcloud
Not your average metal band, this group is comprised of four members who are professionally trained cellists. Their music is attributed to a wide variety of genres including classical music, neoclassical metal and alternative metal. Having sold four million albums to date, their seven album discography features guest vocalists from a variety of bands such as Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine.
HIM – Soundcloud
Possibly one of the most well known Finnish bands on the international stage, their fifth studio album Dark Light was the first Finnish album to go Gold in the United States. The five piece have released seven studio albums, with their eighth, entitled Tears on Tape set for release in 2013. Five of their studio albums have been certified platinum in their home country.
