Fri 31 Jul – Kuopio RockCock
Sat 1 Aug – Ankkarock
I think it's finally time to start writing on my journal in here. And what could be a better excuse than two great festivals on the same weekend? So, here we go...
Friday, July 31 - Kuopio RockCock
Me and my dear friend Atomipommi travelled to Kuopio by train. We left around 10am and arrived around 1pm. After hanging around the city for a while, we took our luggage to our accommodation and left for the festival area. The gates had been opened earlier, but we had to wait about half an hour before getting our tickets changed to wristbands, which allowed us to enter and exit the area whenever we wished. We didn't leave until 10pm, anyway.
The first band of the day (and of the whole festival) was CMX. We didn't see the whole show, but I enjoyed, even though I prefer to listen to CMX at home from cd rather than live at a concert. After that we pretty much just chilled out at the area, as there wasn't any "must-see" bands on that day, except for Kotiteollisuus. When we had watched Klamydia's gig in the burning sunlight (damn it was HOT) and got ourselves some food, we headed for the stage where Kotiteollisuus was to perform at, and soon found ourselves in the front row. The gig was, well, good. It was the first time I saw Kotiteollisuus, and I was glad to hear a few older songs, too, because they are my favourite ones. Valtakunta and Meren Mutaa were the highlights, maybe. Overall Friday was a nice warm-up for the following two days. :D
Saturday, August 1 - Kuopio RockCock
The second day's line-up was the actual reason for us to come to the festival. Sonata Arctica and Turmion Kätilöt, just too good to miss! This day didn't start so well. We entered the area as soon as possible, but had to wait, wait and wait sooooo long for the bands we wanted to see. And it started to rain after a while. AND it was very cold at some point, on the contrary to the previous day's heat. We spent most of the day in the front of the stage where Tarot and Turmion Kätilöt showed up.
Before them performed Uniklubi, a band I don't mind that much. Anyway, we got into the first row again, which was great. The next band, Tarot, was great too. Okay, I admit I got interested in the band just because Marco Hietala from Nightwish plays in it, but it sure rocks as hell, whether or not it's because of Marco. Tarot is also linked with Turmion Kätilöt. Not only do both originate from Kuopio, but also share a member, Janne Tolsa who plays keyboards in both bands. Guess he had hard time, playing a gig after another, lol. Turmion Kätilöt didn't let me down. It wasn't the best show I've seen from them, but very entertaining, once again. Some Tarot guys, including Marco, also participated in the show, or just messed around on the stage, more like. That was during Teurastaja, I think. Fun to watch. After TK quitted, my legs were aching. Standing 7 hours straight, wouldn't call it a pleasure.
We ate, finally (I wonder if anything has ever tasted so good), and sat (finally). There was a chance for bungee jumping at the festival area, so we watched people landing on their faces... I mean, jumping from the heights. I swear I'll do that someday myself, once I pluck up the courage. When Misfits quitted, we prepared ourselves for Sonata Arctica and got to the second row. And then we waited... WAITING is always the boring part at festivals, but as they say, no pain, no gain, so all we could do was to wish that time would fly. It didn't, until Sonata Arctica began to play. I wish I was still there! It was so wonderful, and just - lovely. It had been so long since the last time I saw them, and even though I haven't been listening to them so much lately, I was simply thrilled. Very, very nice gig. Fantastic end to an almost as fantastic day.
Sunday, August 2 - Ankkarock
We woke up a little late but made it to the train in time. My friend got home after a couple of hours but I sat in the train until it reached Korso, the place were Ankkarock was held. I must say I felt a bit lost at first. I had never gone to a festival alone, let alone a festival in a place I've never even visited before. But things turned out really well in the end. I entered the festival area just in time to see Apulanta start their show. It was raining again, but the sun showed up soon enough. After checking up the place and stuff I went to see Turisas. First time for me to see this band but it sure wasn't the last! Amazing show. I still don't get how they manage to stay alive in those outfits at summer, though. I was, like, sweating all my liquids off in the crowd. But I had great time nonetheless.
PMMP was the next band I watched, but I left before the end of their show to get to see Sonata Arctica from a good place. Volbeat was on the same stage before them, so I had to watch it too. I must say I didn't particularly enjoy it. One reason might be that I hadn't listened to any of their songs before, so they just sounded all the same to me. But the crowd sure loved it, or at least that's how it seemed to me. After Volbeat I got a great spot - in the middle, second row. [insert here waiting that felt like an eternity and multiplied by 100]. And there we went again. Sonata's setlist was the same than last night, I think. It was okay, the only song I missed was Victoria's Secret but I guess they've played it quite enough. The show itself was just as good as it was at Kuopio, although the atmosphere was somehow different. But that might be because the stage at Ankkarock was absolutely huge when compared to the one at Kuopio. :D
Here are the songs that Sonata played (on both days):
Paid in Full
8th Commandment
The Cage
Caleb
Replica
Black Sheep
Tallulah
FullMoon
White Pearl, Black Oceans...
In Black and White
Don't Say a Word
We Need Some Vodka
The order might be incorrect, and I'm not sure if it changed a little between the shows.
Here are photos from both festivals, © me (sweet_ignorance/Nina). Includes Kotiteollisuus, Tarot, Turmion Kätilöt, Sonata Arctica, Turisas and Volbeat.
Two videos of Sonata Arctica (also © me):
White Pearl, Black Oceans... (Kuopio RockCock)
Don't Say a Word (Ankkarock)
Check out Atomipommi's photos from Kuopio RockCock, too! *click*
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Thank you for reading & watching the pics and videos!
Sat 1 Aug – Ankkarock
I think it's finally time to start writing on my journal in here. And what could be a better excuse than two great festivals on the same weekend? So, here we go...
Friday, July 31 - Kuopio RockCock
Me and my dear friend Atomipommi travelled to Kuopio by train. We left around 10am and arrived around 1pm. After hanging around the city for a while, we took our luggage to our accommodation and left for the festival area. The gates had been opened earlier, but we had to wait about half an hour before getting our tickets changed to wristbands, which allowed us to enter and exit the area whenever we wished. We didn't leave until 10pm, anyway.
The first band of the day (and of the whole festival) was CMX. We didn't see the whole show, but I enjoyed, even though I prefer to listen to CMX at home from cd rather than live at a concert. After that we pretty much just chilled out at the area, as there wasn't any "must-see" bands on that day, except for Kotiteollisuus. When we had watched Klamydia's gig in the burning sunlight (damn it was HOT) and got ourselves some food, we headed for the stage where Kotiteollisuus was to perform at, and soon found ourselves in the front row. The gig was, well, good. It was the first time I saw Kotiteollisuus, and I was glad to hear a few older songs, too, because they are my favourite ones. Valtakunta and Meren Mutaa were the highlights, maybe. Overall Friday was a nice warm-up for the following two days. :D
Saturday, August 1 - Kuopio RockCock
The second day's line-up was the actual reason for us to come to the festival. Sonata Arctica and Turmion Kätilöt, just too good to miss! This day didn't start so well. We entered the area as soon as possible, but had to wait, wait and wait sooooo long for the bands we wanted to see. And it started to rain after a while. AND it was very cold at some point, on the contrary to the previous day's heat. We spent most of the day in the front of the stage where Tarot and Turmion Kätilöt showed up.
Before them performed Uniklubi, a band I don't mind that much. Anyway, we got into the first row again, which was great. The next band, Tarot, was great too. Okay, I admit I got interested in the band just because Marco Hietala from Nightwish plays in it, but it sure rocks as hell, whether or not it's because of Marco. Tarot is also linked with Turmion Kätilöt. Not only do both originate from Kuopio, but also share a member, Janne Tolsa who plays keyboards in both bands. Guess he had hard time, playing a gig after another, lol. Turmion Kätilöt didn't let me down. It wasn't the best show I've seen from them, but very entertaining, once again. Some Tarot guys, including Marco, also participated in the show, or just messed around on the stage, more like. That was during Teurastaja, I think. Fun to watch. After TK quitted, my legs were aching. Standing 7 hours straight, wouldn't call it a pleasure.
We ate, finally (I wonder if anything has ever tasted so good), and sat (finally). There was a chance for bungee jumping at the festival area, so we watched people landing on their faces... I mean, jumping from the heights. I swear I'll do that someday myself, once I pluck up the courage. When Misfits quitted, we prepared ourselves for Sonata Arctica and got to the second row. And then we waited... WAITING is always the boring part at festivals, but as they say, no pain, no gain, so all we could do was to wish that time would fly. It didn't, until Sonata Arctica began to play. I wish I was still there! It was so wonderful, and just - lovely. It had been so long since the last time I saw them, and even though I haven't been listening to them so much lately, I was simply thrilled. Very, very nice gig. Fantastic end to an almost as fantastic day.
Sunday, August 2 - Ankkarock
We woke up a little late but made it to the train in time. My friend got home after a couple of hours but I sat in the train until it reached Korso, the place were Ankkarock was held. I must say I felt a bit lost at first. I had never gone to a festival alone, let alone a festival in a place I've never even visited before. But things turned out really well in the end. I entered the festival area just in time to see Apulanta start their show. It was raining again, but the sun showed up soon enough. After checking up the place and stuff I went to see Turisas. First time for me to see this band but it sure wasn't the last! Amazing show. I still don't get how they manage to stay alive in those outfits at summer, though. I was, like, sweating all my liquids off in the crowd. But I had great time nonetheless.
PMMP was the next band I watched, but I left before the end of their show to get to see Sonata Arctica from a good place. Volbeat was on the same stage before them, so I had to watch it too. I must say I didn't particularly enjoy it. One reason might be that I hadn't listened to any of their songs before, so they just sounded all the same to me. But the crowd sure loved it, or at least that's how it seemed to me. After Volbeat I got a great spot - in the middle, second row. [insert here waiting that felt like an eternity and multiplied by 100]. And there we went again. Sonata's setlist was the same than last night, I think. It was okay, the only song I missed was Victoria's Secret but I guess they've played it quite enough. The show itself was just as good as it was at Kuopio, although the atmosphere was somehow different. But that might be because the stage at Ankkarock was absolutely huge when compared to the one at Kuopio. :D
Here are the songs that Sonata played (on both days):
Paid in Full
8th Commandment
The Cage
Caleb
Replica
Black Sheep
Tallulah
FullMoon
White Pearl, Black Oceans...
In Black and White
Don't Say a Word
We Need Some Vodka
The order might be incorrect, and I'm not sure if it changed a little between the shows.
Here are photos from both festivals, © me (sweet_ignorance/Nina). Includes Kotiteollisuus, Tarot, Turmion Kätilöt, Sonata Arctica, Turisas and Volbeat.
Two videos of Sonata Arctica (also © me):
White Pearl, Black Oceans... (Kuopio RockCock)
Don't Say a Word (Ankkarock)
Check out Atomipommi's photos from Kuopio RockCock, too! *click*
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Thank you for reading & watching the pics and videos!
