Comments on: Finnish festivals facing big challenge http://allscandinavian.com/917/finnish-festivals-facing-big-challenge/ All Scandinavian Music Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:04:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eduardo http://allscandinavian.com/917/finnish-festivals-facing-big-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-1137 Eduardo Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:58:00 +0000 http://allscandinavian.com/?p=917#comment-1137 Yes, Flow festival has been a refreshing addition. I agree that some genres, like indie music, are marginal, but even metal festivals (Tuska, Sauna Open Air) are smaller here. I just wish a couple of festivals would take a bet and try to expand a little. Yes, Flow festival has been a refreshing addition. I agree that some genres, like indie music, are marginal, but even metal festivals (Tuska, Sauna Open Air) are smaller here.

I just wish a couple of festivals would take a bet and try to expand a little.

]]> By: triani http://allscandinavian.com/917/finnish-festivals-facing-big-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-1132 triani Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:16:11 +0000 http://allscandinavian.com/?p=917#comment-1132 Hi Eduardo, i think the most obvious festival that has been growing in Finland is Flow, which has an International reputation, is only 5 years old (?) and features not only an interesting and unique international roster of artists but the best Finnish talent as well. On top of this the location and atmosphere at the festival are something you just don't get anywhere else. A festival like Primavera is also unique but this kind of festival will never prosper in Finland purely because not enough people like indie music in Finland. The main festivals in Finland also reflect the Finnish publics musical taste, hence the quality of headliner. I wish indie music was massive in Finland but although that scene is growing it's still very marginal. And re. Finnish bands gaining exposure to a foreign audience, this has to come from them playing some of the better festivals in Europe and playing shows outside Finnish borders. all the best Nick Hi Eduardo,
i think the most obvious festival that has been growing in Finland is Flow, which has an International reputation, is only 5 years old (?) and features not only an interesting and unique international roster of artists but the best Finnish talent as well. On top of this the location and atmosphere at the festival are something you just don’t get anywhere else.
A festival like Primavera is also unique but this kind of festival will never prosper in Finland purely because not enough people like indie music in Finland. The main festivals in Finland also reflect the Finnish publics musical taste, hence the quality of headliner. I wish indie music was massive in Finland but although that scene is growing it’s still very marginal.
And re. Finnish bands gaining exposure to a foreign audience, this has to come from them playing some of the better festivals in Europe and playing shows outside Finnish borders.
all the best
Nick

]]> By: Eduardo http://allscandinavian.com/917/finnish-festivals-facing-big-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-1128 Eduardo Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:58:56 +0000 http://allscandinavian.com/?p=917#comment-1128 Thanks for your comment because it will give me the opportunity to clarify some points. The main idea of the post was not to overview and criticize every festival in Finland, but to point out that festivals are missing some major artists that would allow them to grow and bring more foreign visitors, something that eventually would lead to better exposure of Finnish music. As I wrote, in the end the quality of the festivals depends on one's interests and, indeed, the music offer in Finland this summer is impressive and there even many more bands than the ones you added. However, take into account that many of those headliners in Finland are the second or third artists in other places in Europe. When I look at Where The Action Is festival in Stockholm, I cannot help thinking that its line-up (with Neil Young, Nick Cave, Duffy, Magic Numbers and Pixies) would make more people travel than Provinssirock, which happens in the same weekend. Or think about Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. In just five years, it has become one of the major festivals and a main reference in the indie scene. Finnish festivals are not growing at that pace. Therefore, my argument is that Finnish festivals should have the challenge to become a reference in Europe. Great music offer in Finland this summer, of course, but still not on par with the biggest festivals in Europe. For more information about the foreign acts: http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Foreign+acts+offered+up+practically+every+day+of+the+week/1135246069271 Thanks for your comment because it will give me the opportunity to clarify some points. The main idea of the post was not to overview and criticize every festival in Finland, but to point out that festivals are missing some major artists that would allow them to grow and bring more foreign visitors, something that eventually would lead to better exposure of Finnish music.

As I wrote, in the end the quality of the festivals depends on one’s interests and, indeed, the music offer in Finland this summer is impressive and there even many more bands than the ones you added. However, take into account that many of those headliners in Finland are the second or third artists in other places in Europe. When I look at Where The Action Is festival in Stockholm, I cannot help thinking that its line-up (with Neil Young, Nick Cave, Duffy, Magic Numbers and Pixies) would make more people travel than Provinssirock, which happens in the same weekend.

Or think about Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. In just five years, it has become one of the major festivals and a main reference in the indie scene. Finnish festivals are not growing at that pace. Therefore, my argument is that Finnish festivals should have the challenge to become a reference in Europe. Great music offer in Finland this summer, of course, but still not on par with the biggest festivals in Europe.

For more information about the foreign acts:

http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Foreign+acts+offered+up+practically+every+day+of+the+week/1135246069271

]]> By: triani http://allscandinavian.com/917/finnish-festivals-facing-big-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-1127 triani Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:04:34 +0000 http://allscandinavian.com/?p=917#comment-1127 I think this feature is way off mark. To suggest the biggest act coming to Finland this summer is Faith No More is wrong. Nick Cave is at Provinssi, as well as Supergrass, Placebo and Ting Tings. You don't even mention Ankka Rock which has TV ON The Radio, The National & Fucked UP all on one day. Duffy is at Pori Jazz. You also forgot to mention Mew & Glasvegas at Ruis Rock and no mention of Flow Festival which starts with Kraftwerk, then has Grace Jones, Lilly Allen, Vampire Weekend, Jenny Wilson and many others. Huvila Festival has Wilco & Lou Reed. The Pitkä Kuuma Kesä festival has Flaming Lips, Mogwai, Social Distortion, Soundtrack of Our Lives, Girl Talk and a lot more besides. Finnish artists are well represented at all these events. On top of that this summer has the likes of Morrissey, Britney Spears, Madonna, Elton John, Metalica and other big names playing shows (often supported by Finnish artists). Last night i saw US band Deerhunter in Helsinki but could have opted for Bruce Springsteen in Tampere. Most night's of the week around Finland many cool indie bands from abroad are playing shows, often with Finnish artists playing with them. If anything gig saturation means there are too many shows for people to catch everything. It's really a healthy festival line up in Finland this year. I think if Finnish artists want to reach foreign markets , they should be playing outside Finland. Regards. I think this feature is way off mark. To suggest the biggest act coming to Finland this summer is Faith No More is wrong. Nick Cave is at Provinssi, as well as Supergrass, Placebo and Ting Tings. You don’t even mention Ankka Rock which has TV ON The Radio, The National & Fucked UP all on one day. Duffy is at Pori Jazz. You also forgot to mention Mew & Glasvegas at Ruis Rock and no mention of Flow Festival which starts with Kraftwerk, then has Grace Jones, Lilly Allen, Vampire Weekend, Jenny Wilson and many others. Huvila Festival has Wilco & Lou Reed. The Pitkä Kuuma Kesä festival has Flaming Lips, Mogwai, Social Distortion, Soundtrack of Our Lives, Girl Talk and a lot more besides. Finnish artists are well represented at all these events. On top of that this summer has the likes of Morrissey, Britney Spears, Madonna, Elton John, Metalica and other big names playing shows (often supported by Finnish artists). Last night i saw US band Deerhunter in Helsinki but could have opted for Bruce Springsteen in Tampere. Most night’s of the week around Finland many cool indie bands from abroad are playing shows, often with Finnish artists playing with them. If anything gig saturation means there are too many shows for people to catch everything. It’s really a healthy festival line up in Finland this year. I think if Finnish artists want to reach foreign markets , they should be playing outside Finland. Regards.

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