ROCKERS' GUIDE TO FESTIVALS
IL invited Lauri and Aki from The Rasmus, Tidjan from Kwan and Jussi from The 69 Eyes to pitch a tent.
Iltalehti invited the top 4 of this summer's festival stars to a tent date. The sound of acoustic guitar reveals that The Rasmus band's Lauri and Aki have already arrived. Soon after Kwan's Tidjan and The 69 Eyes' drummer Jussi69 appear.
The rock cocks have arrived to learn how to build your own night spot, to remember their own festival experiences and give tips for next summer's festival people - and of course to barbeque.
- It's cool to perform on festivals because the athmosphere is so wild and free, Tidjan opens up.
- Yeah, and you get to see some people you haven't seen all for a long time. Finland is definitely the best place to spend summer, Lauri continues.
- Although people here drink much more than anywhere else, Aki laughs and picks up the tent.
These days the foursome spends their nights in full service hotel rooms, the alphabets of camping haven't been forgotten.
- Of course we always stay at the festivals after our own gig. It's at the same time vacationing with your friends. We always have a grill and acoustic guitar with us, Lauri and Aki say.
The rockers have their own favorite festivals. Aki and Lauri swear to Ankkarock's name.
- Ankkarock ends the summer.
- It's the only festival that my grandma comes to see us. I wanna say hello to all the grandma's, it's never too late to come to a festival, Aki says.
Jussi69 celebrates his birthday always at Ruisrock and Tidjan's favorite is Provinssirock.
Lots have happened to these guys who have visited festivals since they were teenagers.
- My first festival was Ankkarock, Aki remembers.
- I rode free in a bus to Ruisrock and even carried a case of beer with me. Do you remember when Eero wore nothing but pink panties? Lauri continues.
- Yeah, and when you lost your shoe! Aki laughs.
The foursome admits that in a group you sometimes do stupid things. You come up with the stragest ideas in early hours.
- One summer we broke our cottage in Nummirock and burned it. You can belive we were really ashamed in the morning, Jussi69 remembers.
The guys have travelled at festivals around the Europe and can say that the festivals in Finland are fairly safe. Festival people's catering could be done better though.
- Vegetarian food around here is awful. There are either rice or sausage soup where you have to pick out the pieces of sausage, Lauri grins.
Jussi69 bravely grabs the sausage stick. He wants mustard and beer with it.
- Beer points in Finland's festivals suck. Usually there is only one place where you can get beer and you have to stand in line forever.
Tidjan yawns in the tent. Wow, it's actually up.
How to survive
- Wild and fee mind with bands and people. (Tidjan)
- Take a good friend with you. It's always much more fun to be together. (Aki)
- As much money as you can take. Festivals are expensive but you can tell your parents hotel rooms are much more safe than the camping area. You also have your own mini bar, shower and wild after party. (Jussi69)
- Rain coat. Doesn't much space and it saves a lot. (Lauri)
- Toilet paper, especially girls. It isn't good idea to wipe with nettles. (Jussi69)
- Extra
pair of shoes, if the first ones disappear from your feet. I've got experience. (Lauri)
- Find yourself a
nice looking girl or boy who has booze for the both of you. You're safe from a lot of trouble. (Jussi69)
- Head over to the camping area after the last band. There's always an acoustic guitar and warm long drink. (Lauri)
- Grill party. We always have our own grill and an acoustic guitar with us. (Lauri and Aki)
- Best place is in the front, side of the stage. You get close to the stage and you're safe from the huge crowd. (Tidjan)
Don't do this
- Don't take tattoos when you're drunk or weird piercings! (Lauri)
- You don't need your own condoms. There are always free summer rubbers at festivals. (Jussi69)
- Try not to pass out. (Lauri)
- Festivals are not for lonely wolves. If you get along with people, you'll always survive. (Tidjan)
- You don't need your own tent. You can always find a place to spend the night. (Jussi69)
- Queueing sucks! Find some good looking person and hang out with him. If you don't like the company, just disappear when you have gotten what you want. (Juss69)
- Don't make everyone watch you having sex. It's not a
nice sight. (Aki)
- Don't destroy other peoples property, like Nummirock's cottage. You'll be ashamed. (Jussi69)



