Adventurous music will be heard in Helsinki’s market squares in July

The festival is known for its extensive list of performers, where no one has been elevated above the others. Traditionally, the performers’ home countries are not listed either.

This year’s attention was drawn to the fact that the list of performers had narrowed from ten to six.

“Our idea is non-commercial, the festival always requires supporters. In addition, we have an ideological basis and the goal is to have a discussion about equality in the music industry,” says the artistic director of the festival Matty Nives HS:lle.

“We’re not trying to say we’re better than any other festival, but as a smaller operator we can bring out different values.”

Levels says that before last year’s event, a third of the funding left the festival, when Taike (now the Art and Culture Agency Kuvi) did not support the event as in previous years.

“You can try to understand the decision, because there are a lot of event organizers in Helsinki who need support and a lot of money has been cut from the arts. The cultural political boundary conditions are now harsh.”

“For us, it was a bit like if the second engine of the plane had stopped in the middle of the flight. However, we were able to land in a controlled manner with one engine. This year, the journey of the event will continue, which is the most important thing.”

For other disappointed event organizers, Nives recommends scaling down the events to smaller ones if necessary and having an open discussion with the financiers.

“I was left with a really positive feeling from the dialogue with the agency. At the same time, I got the feeling that we can’t rely on funding now, so we’re organizing the event on a smaller scale. Fortunately, we got Helsingin Kaupunktilat as a partner this year.”

Market blocks on the summer terrace on Wednesday, July 15, the Finnish-indie classic will be shown Islaja and the Finnish rap group Täydet.

On the terrace of El Fant on July 16, it’s the turn of the American guitarist Shane Parrishwho performs the music of cult electronic music group Autechre on guitar, and a saxophonist Heli Hartikainen solo performance.

On July 17, on the terrace of the restaurant Brasa, we will see the guitarist Grande Mahogany, aka Jesse Esselin new live performance and singer-songwriter Felix Alexander Lybeck.

The festival, which has garnered a lot of positive attention, has previously been organized three times on Lonna island and twice in Korjaamo.