Sideways Festival 2022 – Helsinki, Finland – 16/17/18-06-2022
The best kept festival returns!
The best keep festival in the Nordics was back in its brand new 2022 edition. Sideways Festival 2022 set a new attendance record by gathering 26,000 visitors in the Nordis area in the city of Helsinki. This year’s lineup was very varied and with cool surprises, among the artists and bands we highlight: DINOSAUR JR., CARIBOU, MOGWAI, PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS, BOY HARSHER, RÓISÍN MURPHY, RYLEY WALKER, BIG THIEF, RICHARD DAWSON & CIRCLE, MOLCHAT DOMA, VESALA, YVES TUMOR, RUUSUT, ICEAGE, KISSA, MALLA, HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR, DUNGEN, DRY CLEANING. Below we bring you a nice and short review of the 3 days of this amazing festival, with the exception that it contains a summary of only the live performances of the rock, hard rock, metal and alternative music artists and bands:
THURSDAY 16:
22-PISTEPIRKKO
The first band we had the opportunity to see on stage was the Finnish band 22-PISTEPIRKKO. The trio with P-K Keränen on vocals and guitar, Espe Haverinen on drums and backing vocals, and Asko Keränen on bass and backing vocals, played a twelve-song set.
The set was one of the most calm and relaxed, and at times it seemed like a jam session between 3 friends in a rehearsal room. The sun’s rays were beating down hard on the Sideways Stage. The audience also enjoyed the show while sipping any alcoholic beverage of their choice such as beer, cider or assorted cocktails.
The group played a combination of musical styles such as soft pop rock and spacey/sidereal psychedelic rock. Almost an hour of performance, here is the list of songs performed: “Tired of Being Drunk”, “Motorycle Man”, “Rat King”, “Summertime Motors (Bells of Love)”, “Texacoson”, “I Knew”, “Birdy”, “Snakecharmer”, “Zombie”, “Madness of Speed”, “B-Instrumental” and “Papa”.
PEKKA LAINE & THE ENCHANTED
The renowned journalist and musician Pekka Laine and his band The Enchanted appeared on the small Sahara stage to perform songs from his solo album “The Enchanted Guitar of Pekka Laine” (2021, Svart Records).
There we were able to enjoy quality instrumental music, sounds that emulated the space music of the sixties, psychedelia, surf rock and those strange sounds from the soundtracks of classic movies.
RUUSUT
A short time later at the Sideways Stage it was the turn of another Finnish band RUUSUT. Who delighted us with their electronic pop loaded with strong synthetic percussion, synthesised sounds/effects and sporadic industrial break beats.
Ringa Manner, Miikka Koivisto, Alpo Nummelin and Samuli Kukkola delivered an authentic, honest and soulful performance that touched the audience’s hearts.
More and more people came to the main stage to witness the emotional performance of the Finnish quartet. This group is now enjoying a new popularity thanks to its powerful mix of pop rock with electronic music.
RUUSUT‘s hour-long set was made up of songs from their two studio albums and their recent short-lived EP: “Ruusut” (2018), “Kevätuhri” (2020) and “12’’ EP” (2022).
BEAK>
Later we moved to the Black Box indoor stage to delight ourselves with the performance of the English trio BEAK> led by the famous musician, producer, composer and DJ Geoff Barrow, member of the cult band PORTISHEAD. The trio was completed by Billy Fuller (who is part of Robert Plant’s SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS band) and Will Young (from the MOON GANGS group).
Jokes aside, the band created the perfect environment within the dark stage so that their infectious and danceable experimental kraut-rock would take on a life of its own and make us dance as hard as we could. It was like dancing to a soundtrack from a John Carpenter horror movie but with electronic elements that made us move the skeleton.
ICEAGE
Right away we moved back to the smallest of the festival’s stages, the Sahara stage to briefly see the set of one of the Finnish audience’s favorite bands, the Danish ICEAGE.
On stage the band consisted of Elias Bender Rønnenfelt on vocals, Johan Surrballe Wieth and Casper Morilla on guitars, Jakob Tvilling Pless on bass and Dan Kjær Nielsen on drums.
The natives of Copenhagen had a lot of attitude, grit and good performance on stage, while they commanded the fans to get closer to the stage to better connect with the music and the band itself.
The set of forty-five minutes and 9 songs was one of the most diverse, exciting and refreshing that we could hear: “Dear Saint Cecilia”, “High & Hurt”, “Vendetta”, “Pain Killer”, “The Lord’s Favorite”, “Thieves Like Us”, “The Holding Hand”, “Abundant Living” and “Catching”.
DINOSAUR JR
One of the high points of the day on Friday was the performance of the legendary DINOSAUR JR in the great Sideways Stage. The Americans set was very intense and superfluous on stage: the always calm J Mascis on guitar and lead vocals; the always restless Lou Barlow on bass, vocals and backing vocals; and the usual drummer Murph.
Despite having played with borrowed instruments, the trio was excellent at all times. DINOSAUR JR always stands out in their live performances since the songs sound louder and more distorted, as well as the duo of Mascis and Barlow on vocals is always a good element to highlight.
The setlist was very complete with 12 superfluous songs that ranged from their most recent album “Sweep It Into Space” (2021, Jagjaguwar) to their already classic albums “You’re Living All Over Me” (1987, SST), “Bug” (1988, SST), “Green Mind” (1991, Black and White/Sire), “Where You Been” (1993, Black and White/Sire) and “Beyond” (2007, Fat Possum). Again the best alternative rock band of the nineties blows our minds!
YVES TUMOR
Returning to the Black Box indoor stage was the American experimental musician YVES TUMOR. The musician used a backup band on stage to interpret his dark music, which is a mix of goth, rock, emo, punk and new wave.
The American gave us a sixty-minute performance without waste in which he performed mainly his best-known songs on a mostly dark stage under dim lights. Among the songs performed we highlight «Jackie», «Heaven Surrounds Like a Hood», «Romanticist» and «Meteora Blues». Good performance by YVES TUMOR with his extravagant clothing, theatrical voice and fearless attitude.
HAUNTED PLASMA
And to close the day on Friday, we headed to the small Basement indoor stage. To witness the first concert of the new Finnish super project HAUNTED PLASMA. This project consisted of: Timo Kaukolampi (K-X-P) on electronic effects and guitar, Tomi Leppänen (CIRCLE) on drums, and Juho Vanhanen (ORANSSI PAZUZU) on guitar.
The strange performance was a whole ceremonial ritual presented under almost extreme darkness and very discreet white lights. A combination between black metal and gothic rock under the threshold of the most uniform electronic ambient. They were helped on vocals on some tracks by Mat McNerney (GRAVE PLEASURES, HEXVESSEL) and Ringa Manner (RUSSUT). End of the first day, now it’s time to rest!
FRIDAY 17:
LITKU KLEMETTI
A new day and the second day of the Sideways Festival. On the Sideways Stage we meet the Finnish singer/musician/songwriter LITKU KLEMETTI accompanied by her band of musicians.
A pleasant and at the same time funny concert that made us happy on Friday afternoon. A mixture of lo-fi sounds, indie rock, pop with progressive rock, iskelmä and punk.
Forty-five minutes that went super fast and that left the audience asking for more and more. The party has just started!
ISAAC SENE
At the same time as the performance of LITKU KLEMETTI, the super trendy ISAAC SENE was performing on the Basement stage. Sene was accompanied by an excellent band of musicians.
A balanced set, since Isaac and company performed songs from their EP “Koko Kansan” (2020, Etenee Records) and other singles: “Kukaan Ei Tanssi Niinku Sä”, “Nälkä”, “Veli”, “N-Sana”, “Jukka”, and “Kuuma Jäbä”.
Forty-five minutes of pop rock with elements of soul, funk and R&B. A female audience acclaiming Issac who had an aesthetic similar to Lenny Kravitz but in a much more pop and funky vibe.
ASTRO CAN CARAVAN
The Finnish jazz, fusion, big bang and experimental music collective ASTRO CAN CARAVAN performed on the Sahara stage. The project was led by its core members Pharaoh Pirttikangs, Otto Eskelinen and Tomi Kosonen, plus a string of musicians with various instruments.
The Finnish collective gave us an intense performance in which they performed a handful of songs full of improvisation that made us forget about the bright sun for more than forty minutes.
RYLEY WALKER
Next on the Aurora stage was the American musician RYLEY WALKER. The native of the city of Rockford, Illinois shone on the medium size stage with a relaxed folk sound, but at the same time he used improvisation and experimentation thanks to his excellent band that featured two drummers.
Walker and company gave us a handful of songs that combined the most psychedelic rock with the most sensitive indie folk: “Opposite Middle”, “The Roundabout”, “Striking Down Your Big Premiere”, “Telluride Speed”, “Primrose Green” and “Shiva With Dustpan”.
In short, an hour full of pure tranquility and an audience that enjoyed every moment.
PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS
Back on the Sahara stage as stoner metal and the heaviest and most strident sound took over the audience with the performance of the British band PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS.
The group in their live version consisted of Matthew Baty on vocals, Sam Grant on guitar, John-Michael Joseph Hedley on bass, Adam Ian Sykes on lead guitar, and Ewan Mackenzie on drums. Powerful and vibrant metal mixed with noise rock and psychedelia in the same vein as bands such as ACID KING and FUCKED UP.
A tremendous forty-five minute long set with songs that made everyone jump, shake their heads and go crazy: “Reducer”, “Rubbernecker”, “Halloween Bolson”, “Sweet Relief”, “GNT”, “ World Crust” and “A66”. One of the best concerts of the day on Saturday!
MOGWAI
Once again at the Sideways Stage, the show of the masters of post-rock MOGWAI took place. The group in its live version featured Stuart Braithwaite on guitar and vocals, Barry Burns on guitar/keyboards/synths, Martin Bulloch on drums and Dominic Aitchison on bass.
A sixty-minute set in which they performed songs from their extensive discography. In total 10 solid songs for the enjoyment of the audience: “To the Bin My Friend, Tonight We Vacate Earth”, “I’m Jim Morriosn, I’m Dead”, “Ritchie Sacramento”, “Take Me Somewhere Nice”, “2 Rights Make 1 Wrong”, “Killing All the Flies”, “How to Be a Werewolf”, “Drive the Nail”, “Ceiling Granny” and “We’re No Here”.
Stuart Braithwaite and company professed, based on spacey, reflective riffs and distant power, stories full of hope, empathy, communion and brotherhood.
MOGWAI once again left us speechless and wanting more, the Scots always put a lot of effort into their live shows. Post-rock for the people!
CARIBOU
And to end Friday, the king of indietronica Dan Snaith, better known as CARIBOU, performed at the Sideways Stage. The Canadian and his backing band were the main act of the second day of the Sideways Festival.
Something interesting to highlight was the variety of the set performed. Since the band mainly used songs belonging to the studio albums: “Swim” (2010), “Our Love” (2014), y “Suddenly” (2020).
An hour of pure dance based on electronic effects and repetitive percussion. It’s nice to see how CARIBOU makes use of live instrumentation and musicians to bring his electronic compositions to life. Thus giving a human feeling to his music, for which the audience greatly appreciated it. A10/10 performance.
SATURDAY 18:
RICHARD DAWSON & CIRCLE
And on the last day of the festival on the Black Box stage there was the show of the English musician RICHARD DAWSON and the Finnish band CIRCLE. Dawson‘s folky voice and guitar mix with CIRCLE‘s insane riffs in the purest NWOFHM style.
The music performed was composed mostly of songs belonging to the collaborative album released by both last year «Henki» (2021) and a cover of the referred band.
Sixty minutes that passed super fast between excellent songs and internal jokes between the members of the band. Please another collaborative album between these two, and more live performances!
DRY CLEANING
At the same time, on the Aurora stage, the performance of the new English post-punk band DRY CLEANING took place. The group consisted of vocalist Florence Shaw, guitarist Tom Dowse, drummer Nick Buxton, and bassist Lewis Maynard.
The quartet cleaned our ears with their aesthetic art rock, their well-groomed post-punk and their well-characteristic spoken word type vocals.
A fifty-five minute long set in which they performed the songs: “Leafy”, “Unsmart Lady”, “Strong Feelings”, “Her Hippo”, “Don’t Press Me”, “Viking Hair”, “More Big Birds”, “Traditional Fish”, “New Long Leg”, “Magic of Meghan, “Tony ”Speaks! and “Scratchcard Lanyard”.
DUNGEN
A little later on the main stage the Swedish band DUNGEN appeared, with Gustav Ejstes (vocals) Reine Fiske (guitar), Mattias Gustavsson (bass) and Johan Holmegard (drums).
An exquisite set, since Ejstes and company performed songs from their vast discography: “Panda”, “Festival” and “Du e För Fin För Mig” from the album “Ta get lugnt” (2004); “Franks Kaktus” from the album “Allas Sak” (2015); “Nattens Sista Strimma Ljus” from the album “En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig Nog” (2022); and «Fredag» from the album «4» (2008).
Fifty minutes of fairly relaxed folk and indie rock with sometimes improvised psychedelic and progressive elements. Those present gave themselves a tremendous sound banquet, worthy of a festival like this one.
MOLCHAT DOMA
And finally, to end our adventure in such a brilliant festival, we headed to the Black Box stage to enjoy and shake our bodies like we couldn’t with one of our favourite bands of recent years, the Belarusian trio MOLCHAT DOMA.
The band consists of Egor Shkutko on vocals, Roman Komogortsev on guitar/synths/drum machine, and Pavel Kozlov on bass/synths. Post-punk influenced by Russian rock music from the eighties and with touches of dark wave, synth pop and new wave.
A superfluous set of sixty minutes of pure dark dance in the purest retro style. Among the songs performed we highlight the following: “Kletka”, “Doma Molchat”, “Diskoteka”, “Toska”, “Volny”, “Udalil Tvoy Nomer”, y “Na Dne”.
In conclusion, Sideways Festival 2022 was a great event and a tremendous 3-day show for the city of Helsinki and its inhabitants/visitors. After the 2020 and 2021 editions had not been held due to the dreaded pandemic. The festival returned in this 2022 edition with a poster without a bad artist/band. Surely the 2024 edition will bring us tremendous surprises and, as always, a luxury lineup with the best and most up-to-date alternative music in all its different styles and genres. Thank you Sideways Festival for creating an idyllic environment for the city of Helsinki to become, for just three days, the main point of reference for international music culture!
