Flow Festival 2022 – Helsinki, Finland – 12/13/14-08-2022
The summer festival!
The best summer festival in the Nordic area was back in its shiny new 2022 edition. Flow Festival 2022 set a new attendance record by gathering 90,000 people in the old Suvilahti industrial area in the city of Helsinki. This year’s lineup was very varied and well thought out, among the artists and bands we highlight: NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS, GORILLAZ, FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, MICHAEL KIWANUKA, BURNA BOY, JARV IS…, VESALA, MØ, FONTAINES D.C., VESTA, JAMIE XX, JESSE MARKIN, PRINCESS NOKIA, GETTOMASA, BLACK MIDI, FRED AGAIN…, UMO & JIMI TENOR, BIKINI KILL, FREDDIE GIBBS, CHISU, ISAAC SENE, DONNY BENÉT, GASELLIT. Below we bring you a short review of the 3 days of the festival, with the exception that it contains a summary of the live performances of rock, jazz and alternative music artists and bands:
FRIDAY 12:
ISAAC SENE
Nothing better than starting our festival experience than with one of the most trendy artists of the moment ISAAC SENE. Which delighted us with a hectic and interactive presentation on the open-air stage Balloon 360. Both Sene and each of the members of his band dressed in white under the hubbub of a noisy audience -composed mostly of females- who acclaimed them during each song.
The music of the singer-songwriter fit like a glove on the circular stage since both the attendees who were sitting in the stands and the others who were standing near the stage enjoyed that modern sound full of colourful combinations such as pop mixed with punk, soul with rock and electronic sounds with funk. The one hour concert flew by while great songs such as: “N-sana”, “Jukka”, “Kukaan ei Tanssi Niinku Sä” and “Kuuma Jäbä” were played.
JARV IS…
A few hours later, in the Red Arena tent stage, we attended the concert of the English musician Jarvis Cocker and his most recent project/band JARV IS… The group was composed in its live version by Serafina Steer (harp/keyboards), Andrew McKinney (bass), Adam Betts (drums), Emma Smith (violin) and Jason Buckle (synths).
The band led by Cocker kicked off the performance with a cover of «She’s a Lady» by their former group PULP. Which in another context could have been a musical suicide but worked very well on the stage due to the nature of the song: an alternative rock song with art rock elements mixed with dance music. And what can we say about Cocker, who behaved like a real frontman on the stage, joking with the audience and showing off his great cultural intellect (he is that cool person you want to party with).
Among the songs performed by the band during the presentation of nearly an hour, two covers of Cocker‘s solo albums «Further Complications» and «Cunts are Still Running the World» stand out. The rest of the songs performed can be found on the only studio album released by the band entitled «Beyond The Pale» (2020, Rough Trade Records). A set without waste that left us dancing and singing the songs. Keep the party going!
GORILLAZ
And to end this first day of the Flow Festival, on the Main Stage the English virtual band GORILLAZ surprised those present with their first performance on Finnish soil. Damon Albarn used a full band of musicians (drums, percussion, guitar, bass, choir and keyboards) and some virtual or physical guest vocalists (Bootie Brown of THE PHARCYDE, Pos of DE LA SOUL, and solo rapper Freddie Gibbs) to offer us what we can consider the best concert of that Friday.
Albarn, in addition to singing, was also in charge of playing the piano on some songs (“O Green World”) while one of the band members was in charge of the backing vocals. Albarn was also very active throughout the concert running on stage, going down to the front rows to sing with the fans or simply addressing those present to tell them about the wonderful time he had visiting the city of Helsinki. A true frontman!
Those present enjoyed every minute of the 2-hour concert offered by GORILLAZ. Among the songs to highlight are «Dirty Harry» and «Stylo» with rapper Bootie Brown, the new single from the band’s next album «Craker Island» which featured Thundercat as guest vocalist through a giant screen, the big hit “Feel Good Inc.” with Pos serving as entertainer, singer and celebrity, and finally the surprise of the night Freddie Gibbs as guest singer in the group’s first hit “Clint Eastwood”. It was two hours of total party!
SATURDAY 13:
UMO & JIMI TENOR
The first concert that we were able to enjoy on Saturday at the Balloon 360 stage was that of the acclaimed Finnish composer, musician and instrumentalist JIMI TENOR together with the respected orchestra UMO HELSINKI JAZZ ORCHESTRA. Concert that could be enjoyed at two times, 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., both concerts to a full capacity.
JIMI TENOR launched last year 2021 a complete studio album together with the UMO HELSINKI JAZZ ORCHESTRA entitled «Terra Exotica». So most of the songs performed that afternoon can be found in the aforementioned album (as a highlight the live versions of the songs “Pharos Sunset” and “Jyrkänteellä”). Both the circular stage and the warm weather and the audienceblended together to create the ideal environment for this sound banquet that we had the pleasure to enjoy.
JIMI TENOR delighted us with his great musical skills on various instruments such as the flute and the keyboard/synths, while creating innovative and futuristic ambient sounds and textures. Meanwhile the UMO HELSINKI JAZZ ORCHESTRA created the perfect accompaniment based on cinematic sounds and conventional big band jazz. The new and the old school came together to surprise us in a big way.
JESSE MARKIN
An hour later we moved to the huge Red Arena tent stage to enjoy acclaimed Finnish singer-songwriter JESSE MARKIN. MARKIN brought in his full band (guitar, bass/keyboards, and drums) to deliver a full set filled with indie rock, electronica, hip hop, folk, and pop.
MARKIN and company performed on a bigger stage and with a much larger audience than last time in 2019 (this time was the first time they played at this festival). JESSE did everything an artist of his caliber can do on stage: sing at the top of his lungs, shout, dance, play and give himself to the audience as if his life depended on it. The band, for its part, accompanied MARKIN at all times through a fresh, vibrant, exciting sound without limits of styles. “Sunshine”, “Exodus”, “Treat” and “Blood” sounded almost perfect on the stage.
JESSE MARKIN continues to gain followers and new fans thanks to performances like the one we witnessed that afternoon. You just have to have a handful of good songs, a good band and the necessary attitude to be able to prove that you are currently one of the most important Finnish artists on a national level and maybe very soon on an international level you can add new fans. Keep it up JESSE!
BIKINI KILL
Once again in the Red Arena tent stage, it was time to enjoy some good punk rock with the legendary BIKINI KILL. From minute one we couldn’t stop shaking our heads based on quality feminist punk full of lyrics that called for social awareness and gender equality.
It was quite an experience to see one of the most important bands of the alternative scene of the nineties meet the Finnish audience for the first time. Led by the charismatic vocalist Kathleen Hanna and featuring founding members Kathi Wilcox on bass and Tobi Vail on drums, plus live guitarist Sara Landeau.
For a full hour we were able to listen to countless hits from the band sung mostly by Hanna and some by Vail as lead vocalist. We can highlight the songs that the audience enjoyed and sang the most: “Rebel Girl”, “Carnival”, “New Radio”, “Double Dare Ya” and “Rah! rah! Replica». For a space of time of about sixty minutes the riot grrrl revolution settled in Helsinki!
FONTAINES D.C.
Finally, the band that me and my friends were waiting for closed the night, the Irish FONTAINES D.C. played on the Black Tent stage. This stage was surrounded for half an hour before the start of the presentation by fans of the band, who were waiting inhumanly for the appearance of this new group that since recent years have been the kings of the new post-punk wave.
FONTAINES D.C. did not disappoint and from the first minute they offered us exquisite frenetic post-punk songs with brilliant and sublime elements of neo-psychedelia and indie rock as only they know how to do it. Grian Chatten was excellent with his particular voice and his spontaneity on stage, Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley transmitted through their guitars the sounds we wanted to hear, and Conor Deeegan III and Tom Coll brought to perfection the most important work that was to maintain the sharp rhythm in each of the songs.
An hour of concert and a total of 13 songs that flew by. FONTAINES D.C. gave us a tour of their 3 full-length albums; thus, in songs like “Nabokov”, “I Don’t Belong”, “”A Hero’s Death” and “Jackie Down the Line” we could hear that dark and calculating post-punk that characterises them. While the most accelerated indie rock made an appearance in the great songs “Sha Sha Sha”, “Too Real”, and “Boys in the Better Land”.
In conclusion, a tremendous concert full of hymns chanted by everyone while the dim lights and the cool breeze of the night enveloped us in a cascade of sensations out of this world. FONTAINES D.C. along with IDLES and SHAME, have become one of today’s leading groups in terms of indie rock and post-punk. The Irish band won over the Flow Festival audience with just a well-defined, mature and, above all, honest sound.
SUNDAY 14:
DONNY BENÉT
One of the best live shows on Sunday and perhaps in the entire Flow Festival was the one offered by Australian artist DONNY BENÉT. Donny was accompanied by some great musicians, the brothers: Dan Waples on saxophone and James Waples on drums.
Donny and company were electrifying on stage with a straight disco sound in the key of funk and eighties synth pop. A live performance well balanced, colourful, danceable, entertaining and without waste. Balanced because each song complemented the previous one. Colourful thanks to the disco sound fused with various styles such as pop, funk and the most electric jazz. Danceable as he made each of the attendees dance on the Free.Fi Black Tent stage. Entertaining because every one of the jokes and funny comments Donny gave us. And without waste because every minute was worth it.
An hour of concert with long songs in which jamming and improvisation was the right choice without falling into the excessive. Among the songs performed that afternoon we can highlight the following: “Konichiwa”, “Mr Experience”, “Working Out”, “Le Piano” and “Second Dinner”. Too bad we can’t have DONNY BENÉT at this festival every year, it would be amazing. But you have to enjoy things when you have them in front of you and that’s what we did that Sunday.
BLACK MIDI
One of the surprises of the festival was the English band BLACK MIDI. They were added at last minute to the Flow Festival 2022 lineup after the cancellation for health reasons of the Australian group KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD.
This young English band was in charge of an eclectic set on the Red Arena tent stage. During their set the chaotic math rock of the 90’s, noise, post-punk and the most rock avant-garde came together and joined in one big noisy sound.
The audience that attended the concert was divided between: young people thirsty for an alternative avant-garde rock coming from the underground; and veterans who longed for those years of the early/mid 90’s where the MTV music program called 120 Minutes reigned and bands like DON CABALLERO, SLINT or SHELLAC were the undisputed kings of the most daring alternative rock.
Among the songs performed, the following stood out: “John L”, “Welcome to Hell”, “Slow” and “Sugar/Tzu”. BLACK MIDI continue to gain fans wherever they perform, thanks to their energetic live performances that always stand out for their thunderous drums and dissonant guitar. Chaos and disorder came together to make quality music!
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
A little later on the big Main Stage was the fantastic and stupendous performance of the acclaimed composer and producer MICHAEL KIWANUKA. The British with a great voice and guitar skills perfectly blended playful funk, uplifting soul, smooth folk, warm indie rock and melodious pop.
KIWANUKA was accompanied by skilled musicians and a small female choir that supported with backing vocals. For its part, the audience was very receptive and enthusiastic thanks to a sound that called to celebrate summer in all its splendour under a bright sun and a refreshing breeze.
Sixty minutes of the best soul and funk music today. About 18 songs were performed, belonging to his three studio albums. Among those performed we can highlight: “Black Man in a White World”, “Cold Little Heart”, “Love & Hate”, “Home Again” and “Piano Joint (This Kind of Love)”.
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS
And to close this last day of the Flow Festival, nothing more and nothing less than one of the most important cult rock bands of this generation, NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS. The Australians led by their charismatic frontman Nick Cave mesmerised us with their enigmatic, poetic songs and wonderful sound capable of attracting a diverse audience ranging from goths and punk to devoted lovers of alternative rock and experimental music.
The band’s performance was quite a religious experience, in which Nick showed himself as the reverend or spiritual leader who led the mass: crystal clear sound but at the same time raw in which we listened to the band’s sound in all its splendour; giant screens on both sides of the stage that showed everything that was happening above and below the stage; and the most important thing, Nick approached the audience at all times to sing each of the songs and interact with them through hugs, touches, kisses and other displays of affection. Which the audience replied at all times.
One of the highlights of the Australians’ performance was when they perfectly performed the song «Red Right Hand», which is the theme song from the award-winning British television series Peaky Blinders. NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS gave us an amazing concert and a brilliant 18-track setlist -including “From Her to Eternity”, “Jubilee Street”, “O Children”, “Into My Arms”, “The Ship Song ”, “Brig Horses” and others-.
In conclusion, Flow Festival 2022 has been the event of the summer and we could maybe say that the event of year in Finland. After the 2020 and 2021 editions were not held for the obvious reasons of the corona virus. The festival returned in this 2022 edition stronger than ever and with a luxury lineup. Once again this festival has shown us in just 3 days the past, present and future of music. It goes without saying that we are already looking forward to 2023 since Flow Festival will surely be the meeting point and musical benchmark. Although this festival has ceased to be just a music festival and has become a platform that not only highlights culture and art, but also cutting-edge thinking and social change towards a better future. See you soon and long live the Flow Festival!
