The last evening of July still looked threatening in the early hours, but just before the show started, the rain clouds cleared over Helsinki. Sold-out Allas Live was rewarded with a warm summer evening, where the sea, the city skyline, and Vesala's strong presence created an exceptional setting for one of the summer’s most anticipated domestic concerts in the capital.
Vesala’s solo career already spans a decade, and the resulting song catalog easily carries an entire evening. The set list guided the audience through the artist’s various eras, yet the whole did not feel nostalgic or merely like a parade of hits. The show even delivered a true surprise when the rarely performed Uu mama sparked an enthusiastic reception among the crowd. This reminded everyone just how broad and diverse Vesala's repertoire ultimately is.
On stage, the band showed great cohesion, their playing tight yet at the same time flexible throughout the evening. Two backing vocalists added extra layers to the songs and especially reinforced the power of the choruses. The arrangements came alive naturally in the concert setting.
The evening's surprises also included a guest appearance from rapper Ares. Their joint song Se ei mennyt niin generated a loud response from the audience, and the chemistry between the artists was clearly visible on stage as well.
The audience’s wide age range told a lot about the artist’s position in the Finnish music scene. Both young and older fans could be seen in the Allas Live stands, showing the way her music resonates with listeners regardless of generation.
Vesala's Laulumailla concert hall tour kicks off at the end of October at Helsinki's Kulttuuritalo. The tour comprises a total of 16 shows, taking the artist around Finland and concluding in December at Tapiolasali in Espoo.