Studying | Country and region | Life and leisure | Survival tips

Live music gets the blood pumping

Text: Heidi Papinaho Photos: Milan Kolarovic

One of the best ways to spend your free time is to go out and enjoy live performances. Nothing is more relaxing than being immersed in the soothing sound of music and get carried away by the rhythm. The eagerness of the musicians to play and the audience as they are swayed always give it that unique experience.

Rock club Teatria draws in people in droves. The former factory hall has had both national and international stars play in it.

Oulu is known as the cradle of music, where one can find all kinds of musical extravaganza both during the weekday and the weekend. There are many locations for a variety of tastes; from large concert halls to cozy little music pub and enthralling clubs. The big attractions of the summer are Qstock and Rotuaari Picnic.

Club Teatria is one of the biggest rock club in Finland which can fit a few thousand people. Many think of Teatria as being the seat of heavier music, but lighter and popular genres also feature in their selection.

Heavier music is represented in March by wintry metal music event of Jalometalli Winterfest, which has become a regular event in the music calendar.

The base booms and speakers speak as musicians bring the house down. For the listener earplugs are indispensable accessories.

Oulu Rocks

45 Special is a famous rock club, which has live music roughly 130 times a year. The legendary Sunday jams often have popular Finnish musicians, but lesser known musicians are also on stage at the number bar. 45 Special is the watering hole for students, rockers and hippies.

The rock spirited PSK Kaupunni regularly invites guest DJs and acoustic performances. For example, in February there is the pre-listening and acoustic performance of Reflexion.

The bar is decorated with style and you can find, for example, gomi art. The performances at PSK Kaupunni are free, and thus are perfect for the often cash light student.

On Friday’s the stage of the dance restaurant, Foxia hosts the hottest names of Finnish rock and pop, and on Saturday’s the stars of Finnish schlager (popular hits).

Other venues in Oulu are, for example, Restaurant Gloria for the more classical taste; the pavilion in Kuusisaari, where the musical range includes all sorts,from schlager to metal; the rock café Lentävä Lautanen and Restaurant Willisika, which in addition to bands also shows its sporting spirit.

Dancing in Raahe and Oulainen

In Raahe you can mince your steps at the hotel restaurant Tiiranlinna, and the dance restaurant Manu (located in Kummatti). Manu also occasionally has rock-ish performers.

The night clubs Bluemoon and Night Club Gina put up performances for the younger generation. During the summer in Raahe is the venue of Raahe Festival, when for several days different kinds of performers entertain the audience.

In Oulainen, during the summer there is a smaller RapuRock festival, which offers pop, rock, as well as metal. Among the musicians there are rising stars and those of a cult status.

Dance and disco nights are organized at the Sun Hotel and there is a live band presiding over the dances. When speaking of Oulainen, it is important not to forget musiikkiviikko (Music Week), when different performances can be seen.