A similar dance party has hardly ever been seen at the Olympic Stadium, writes music journalist Ville Vedenpää.
Although the successful Finnish bands Haloo Helsinki, Apulanta and Sunrise Avenue performed at the Olympic Stadium this summer, the eyes and pressure were focused on Tuisku’s show. The artist is known for spectacular performances and breathtaking choreography, so the preliminary expectations were high.
So what did Tuisku offer?
A world-class show. The setting was like any international star, from the gigantic stage. The videos and animations seen on the big screens supported the show and the fireworks of lights came into their own in the darkened September evening.
It says something about Tuisku’s investment in concerts that usually big artists tour with such a large stage production on world tours, when now one has been built for two concerts in Helsinki.
Finally! This feeling was also visible on Antti Tuisku’s face when he stepped on stage. He couldn’t hold his breath as the crowd greeted him with cheers.
After the most difficult dance numbers loaded at the beginning of the gig, the artist relaxed and clearly started to enjoy the performance. Over the course of a couple of hours and more than 20 songs, Tuisku sang, danced, flirted, joked, got serious, preached and rubbed his backside with devotion to the audience. The combo feels endless, but when Tuisku does it, it works. Other Finnish artists cannot do this.
And this is what the audience, made up mostly of women, loved. It greedily ate everything Tuisku offered. It sang and danced with devotion throughout the show. The concert became a collective experience and a similar dance party has hardly ever been seen at the Olympic Stadium.
The content of Tuisku’s show has had to be edited many times over the course of two and a half years. The basis of the concert was originally the _Valittu kansa_ album, but it was left at the feet of the crown and its part in the concert remained indicative. Even though the show was a well-thought-out ensemble down to the last drawing, a few things still needed final polishing.
The most confusing moment, however, was when there was suddenly a completely random man on stage, who was made to sit in a bathtub, and to whom Antti Tuisku sang and teased. It was left to the viewers to guess whether this person was grabbed from the audience or whether they were singing a serenade to their partner. I heard afterwards that he had been selected for the job through a video competition.
The Bailantai show was at its best right at the end, when Tuisku performed a cover of his big dance hits _Sata salamaa_ and _Keinutaa_. All the elements were in place when the 50-meter-wide stage was filled with dancers and the light show boomed to the beat.
Antti Tuisku’s big dream has now come true, when he was able to perform in a stadium class concert. His career has already lasted 19 years, and the Bailantai show encapsulates all of his skills.
But can anyone do the same at the Olympic Stadium?
The first thing that comes to mind is JVG, who has enough hits, fans and a suitable megalomania to put on a massive show. For example, Vesala, whose summer festival gigs started to include elements of a bigger stage performance, could be responsible for solo artists.
But there is only one Antti Tuisku and the ingeniously catchy Bailantai will be remembered as one of the gigs of recent times.