Friends @XOYO, London

February 8th, 2012

Only a handful of people know this, and the majority of them found out about it last Wednesday... The main reason why I extended my London stay was so I could see the band, which I think has brought hope to the music scene. Yes, you got it right by looking at the title. I'm talking about sdneirF.

I thought it would be great to have my London experience ending with great music. It didn't really matter that I knew the lyrics to only a few songs, as I tried my best to sing-a-long/jump around/drum the fence to the rest of the songs, which I have never heard of before, since the album isn't out yet. Though I can't wait to have it shipped to Finland.

In their song 'Feelin' Dank', they sing when you smile at people, and they're smiling back- that's basically how it was throughout the whole evening. From the beginning of the performance until the bouncers asked everyone to leave the place.

Smiles, when singer Samantha danced several times in the crowd. Smiles, when people were trying to catch blueberries with their mouths. Smiles, when fans got their shirts signed and pictures taken with the band members.

 My friend made a very funny comment; 'The other girl didn't really look that happy, more like annoyed. But in a good way!'. Haha, yeah every band has to have the 'cool kid'.

Lately, I've realized that meeting musicians isn't necessarily worth it. Some of them might turn out to be idiots, and then you're not interested in their music anymore. So, I have to admit that I was a bit scared to go talk to them after the gig.
 
However, if I ever had to lecture about fan engagement, the perfect example to use would most certainly be Friends. Before I managed to even open my mouth, one of them approached me and went; 'Hey you! Do you want a VIP for life, do you want a tambourine, drumstick, a shirt? Tell me what you want, and I'll get it for you! I'm Matthew by the way, what's your name?'.

I was like 'what the..', but also at the same time I was thinking if this was the moment that I could just ask everything I wanted. Hehe. But instead of having my set list signed with blueberries, I got a drumstick and a shirt. That was just brilliant, since I was running out of clean shirts.

The most amazing thing, though, was that he actually made the effort in finding what I asked for. Usually, in these kinds of situations, they tend to disappear. I'm still amazed, big thanks to Matthew! Such a nice guy, and so were the others. When I wanted to thank them for the gig, one of them was just pointing at me, the other high-fiving, and another one saying 'you must be our biggest fan'. There wasn't really any other way than replying 'I am your biggest fan'. ;)

I promised the next time I'm at their gig, I will be in the front row with the drumstick I just got, ready to invade the stage and bang the shit out of everything. Perhaps that might happen in Stockholm this spring. But I hope they make it this year to Finland too. The perfect festival for them would definitely be Flow, so if you guys are reading this, please have a look. I'd love to see you there.

Ps. A former colleague of mine, Jamie, interviewd the band during a Clash photoshoot. He also says they're really nice. It will be in next month's issue, look out for it!

Pictures by me, Domingo and Gionni (thanks guys had a blast!).

Athletes In Paris @The Roof Gardens

February 10th, 2012

It was a 'Farm' night, as people from the office were invited to go see our own Athletes In Paris. The guys were performing at an exclusive club on top of a building in West London. The dress code for The Roof Gardens is 'No effort, no entry'. Knowing me, there were serious doubts of getting in. But I thought if I wouldn't get in, this would have been the great opportunity to say 'don't you know who I am' and 'does effort mean dressing slutty' to the bouncer.

Surprsingly they didn't even ask for my ID!!! I guess being tired and stressed makes you look older.

Marble floor in the elevator, going to the top floor. The garden and the live music area looked really nice.

Athletes In Paris' great show was the best part or actually the only good part of the whole evening, as I'm not a fan of fancy clubs. Just the thought of clean places filled with nasty people. Ugh. And I still wonder how the band ended up playing there.

Anyways loved the band's entry (first band pic above) and singer Matt's semi-dorky dancing. They are definitely worth listening to. Here's their latest video;

Two is still One

February 5th, 2012

Last Sunday Finland got a new president. It was expected that my favorite (check here who) didn't have great chances, but there was always space for hope. What came as a surprise, though, was the huge difference between Pekka and Sauli's votes. Sadly, it broke the record. That's something to be disappointed about, and the fact that less people voted comparing to the last election.

However, I realized after a while that we got over a million people to vote for our man, Pekka. Over a million people voted for tolerance and a brighter future.

A politician mentioned that he senses a much healthier atmosphere now in the country. This is not a defeat, only a step towards victory.

As I leave London soon, I think it will be the first time I feel proud of going back to Finland.

Red N Pink @Underbelly of Hoxton Square

February 4th, 2012

My last weeks in London have been packed with gigs, and all of them have been/are anticipated. Especially London's own Red N Pink, as their genre is more or less outside my music taste's comfort zone, but can't help to find their songs damn catchy. This time going to a gig was part of my job; it was really interesting to enjoy and observe a show from a different perspective. Too bad though the set was short and that they didn't play the song, which made me love their music in the first place.

It was extremely hard to take photos of them, since they were moving all the time. Also, the lighting was annoying; one of them had always so much light in her face and the other not at all. Luckily there wasn't any problems with the sound.

Here's anyways a great tune, which they did play.

Panic! At The Disco + [ME] @O2 Academy Brixton, London

February 2nd, 2012

I knew this was going to be a special evening, because I got the chance to help out a band, which I'm sure is going to be huge by the end of the world, I mean this year. The last time I saw [ME] was at the Evanescence gig, but only for a minute. Thanks to the flyers people were receiving at the venue, I was able to track their music down. I think it's a really good marketing tactic, so I took the evening as a learning opportunity too.

I've been flyering outside on the streets and that is not the easiest job, however I was surprised how willing people were to take a flyer inside the venue. What surprised me even more was their willingness to sign up for the mailing list. What I wasn't surprised about was people's questions about the band's name. No doubt will '[ME]' be on the list of worst band names ever, but if your music is good and you have the chance of becoming successful, you might become 'googleable'.

And a sign of them being a good band was the huge amount of people cheering for them, not too many support acts get that. Also 100 Twitter followers after a gig is 'alright'.

Never have I seen so many Australians in my life (though they really don't sound like ones).

I haven't been listening to Panic! At The Disco that much after high school. But no doubt they know how to put up a show with the singer doing back flips and everything. They even played 'I believe in a thing called love' by The Darkness.

It was funny to hear how the crowd went crazy everytime they heard the word 'beer' or a swear word. Never have I seen so many teens in my life.

The Smashing Pumpkins @O2 Academy Brixton, London

16.11.2011

Back to what happened last year in November, after my visit to Finland (A Surprise Visit). In London again with the busy life; from the airport home, quick dinner and then to Brixton to see a gig.

When I saw the scene in the picture above, the first thought was that if the world ended, it would start from Canary Wharf.

Luckily the world didn't end yet, so I got to see the legedary Pumpkins! Or nowadays the Billy Corgan show. Of course everyone would love to see the original line-up, but no way will that be happening. And honestly, who even likes the new songs?

Not saying that it wasn't a joy to witness great musical talent for a couple of hours, but there was a waiting atmosphere amongst the fans. Waiting to hear the good old stuff.

Fans were delighted at the end, as one hit after another was played. However they felt quite sped up, as if maestro Billy was just trying to get rid of the 'compulsory fan pleasing moment'. Can't complain though..because apprently they didn't play any hit songs at some gigs a few years ago.

But it certainly was an amazing feeling to hear 'Tonight, Tonight', the song, which I heard on MTV a thousand times when I was six. Also hearing 'Cherub Rock' was ace.



Billy was quite a joker too, saying things like; 'We're a great band, we're from America. The Beatles are from America. The Rolling Stones are. Coldplay is from Indiana.' And that's when someone throws a water bottle to the stage almost hitting the bassist. Did they not like Coldplay or were they lacking humor?

The whole experience made me wish it was sixteen years ago. I would have loved to be going crazy in the crowd then. But high five for seeing Billy!