Trollfest – 03/06/2025 – Chicago

I’m really not sure what to say about a group of dudes coming out in pink tutus and dressed like pink flamingos featuring a saxophone player other than, ah that must be Trollfest. All that aside, I’ve never actually seen Trollfest live before, and all I can say is, wow, what a blast. These guys came out rocking during their own unique style. The fan interaction was great with the world’s longest conga line and having half the crowd sit down and half of the crowd jump and then making them switch several times and lastly having the entire band randomly just lay down and play dead on the stage mid song. The music was great, the atmosphere was great, and the show was great.

SET LIST
Dance Like a Pink Flamingo
Flamongous
Essenfest
Ave Maria (Charles Gounod cover)
Twenty Miles an Hour
Kaptein Kaos
Illsint
Renkespill
Piña Colada
Kjettaren mot strømmen
All Drinks on Me
Espen Bin Askeladden
Helvetes hunden garm

Ensiferum – 03/06/2025 – Chicago

Ensiferum has finally returned to us. Not having performed in the Chicagoland area since January 12, 2019 at Joliet’s The Forge. The band was received with a roaring welcome. They came out though like it was just yesterday and went straight into a rocking set. You could tell the fans loved that they came back with the slow trickle of bands that have been making their returns since the “dark times” when bands didn’t tour in the US from overseas. It was a sad time and we are so glad that bands like Ensiferum have returned.

SET LIST
Aurora
Fatherland
Twilight Tavern
Treacherous Gods
Winter Storm Vigilantes
Lai Lai Hei
The Howl
From Afar
Andromeda
Leniret Coram Tempestate
Victorious
Wanderer
Rum, Women, Victory
In My Sword I Trust
Two of Spades

Korpiklaani – 03/06/2025 – Chicago

Korpiklaani returned to the greater Chicagoland area less than a year since their last show. This time opting to play at The Outset in Chicago after that previous May 3, 2024 show in Joliet at The Forge. In recent years, Korpiklaani had greatly reduced their number of bouncy “party” songs in their set opting instead to play more of slower, deeper material. These songs are great in their own right, but lots of fans that were coming out for the drinking and partying had made comments that they missed that side of Korpiklaani. This tour, or at least on this show, Korpiklaani opted to return to a greater mix of the party songs and there was definite pleasure amongst the crowds demonstrated heavily in the pit by circles of fans doing interlocked kick lines and dancing. All in all a great show.

SET LIST

Rankarumpu
A Man With a Plan
Saunaan
Happy Little Boozer
Ievan polkka
Rauta
Aita
Oraakkelit
Kalmisto
Tuli kokko
Vaarinpolkka
Leväluhta
Gotta Go Home (Boney M. cover)
Iron Fist (Motörhead cover)
Viima
Metsämies
Sahti
Tequila
Vodka

Rock In The City Pori (Fin) 19-20-21-/08/2022

Rock in the City had 7 festival locations this year; Kuopio, Vantaa, Kouvola, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kerava and Pori. Pori was the last location with 3 days of festival. Among the many performing in Pori were Uriah Heep, Battle Beast, Reckless Love, Turmion Kätilöt, Brother Firetribe, Ensiferum, Nestor, Stam1na, The 69 Eyes, Viikate, Blind Channel, Cyan Kicks and Kätfish. We were there and here are some photos takene by Cristina Gregori.

 

 

Ensiferum Interview

Ensiferum released their eighth studio album “Thalassic” in July 2020, the first with new keyboardist and vocalist Pekka Montin. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the band was unable to promote the album with a proper tour.
Before their show at Porispere we had a chat with Petri and Sami and talked about what happened in the last 2 years, their album, the virtual festivals, and much more.

Official Website
Facebook
Youtube

Porispere 2021, Pori (Fin)

The celebration of Porispere’s 10th anniversary took place this year after the postponement occurred in 2020. The last weekend of July the festival was held in Kirjurinluoto, recording a sold out on Saturday. Like every edition, the festival has hosted artists of genres ranging from pop to metal; Ensiferum, Beast in Black, The 69 eyes, Stam1na and Apulanta are few of the most noted names.
We were there to capture the moments of this edition with our cameras.
Photos by Cristina Gregori & Miika Riikonen.




Ensiferum Interview

The Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum is back with a new album “Two paths” which has already received great consent.
After the mini-European tour “Two paths the beginning”, it’s time for a Finnish tour just before fly to South America on next month.
We had the opportunity to meet Netta before the show in Pori and talk about the new album, the tour and much more.

 

Official page
Facebook