Finland allows events of up to 500 people
Live Nation Finland is putting on daily, outdoor concerts throughout June, as the Finnish government allows events of up to 500 people “under special arrangements”.
As of 1 June, indoor and outdoor public events of up to 500 people were permitted to take place in Finland, provided that organisers comply with governmental guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the virus. Events of more than 500 people remain banned until 31 July.
Following the announcement, Live Nation Finland unveiled the Suvilahti Summer concert series, which it is organising in conjunction with Suvilahti TBA and the City of Helsinki.
The series kicks off on 11 June at the Suvilahti energy field in Helsinki with a performance from Finnish artist Evelina, who will be joined onstage by local acts Anssi Kela, Olavi Uusivirta Duo, Maustetytöt, Jesse Markin, Ursus Factory, Dallapé and Martti Servo & Napander.
More live shows, as well as brunch concerts, karaoke nights and film screenings will take place throughout the month of June at the site. The list of performers will be updated in due course.
“This event series is a good example of how a crisis can lead to innovation”
The events will be carried out in accordance with current official safety guidelines, with tables and chairs set up for groups of two to six people and separate parties placed apart to observe social distancing rules.
“It is great to be back with events in such a unique way, after a short break,” says Live Nation Finland MD Tomi Saarinen. “This event series is a good example of how a crisis can lead to innovation.
“We believe that these upcoming summer moments in Helsinki’s finest setting will create memories that last.”
Suvilahti TBA had been working with Live Nation to launch Suvilahti Winefest this May, now postponed to 2021. “We wondered if we could arrange something [else] special together, during the crisis, and bring joy to people,” says Suvilahti TBA CEO Mikko Vehmas.
“It has been great to realise that even during the difficult times we can create great things together.”
Tickets for Suvilahti Summer events will be available here from 5 June, starting from €12.
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Live Nation Finland acquires Hög Agency
Live Nation Finland has acquired Helsinki-based booking agency and promoter Hög, in the latest of a series of moves by the live entertainment behemoth’s Finnish branch.
Founded in 2016 by Mikko Varjamo (pictured), Hög represents Finnish artists including Olavi Uusivirta (pictured), Adi L Hasla, Mouhous and Vilma Alina (pictured).
In addition to the acquisition, which aims to strengthen Live Nation Finland’s domestic roster, Live Nation Finland has also signed emerging Finnish acts, Kube and SONNY.
“After running my own agencies for over nine years, I felt it was time to move forward,” comments Hög founder and CEO Varjamo, who will stay on at Live Nation Finland as an agent. “This new union with Live Nation will enable the company to operate at a different level and will strengthen our position in Finland’s music scene. I’m extremely excited about this.”
“This new union with Live Nation will enable the company to operate at a different level and will strengthen our position in Finland’s music scene”
Live Nation Finland’s Tomi Saarinen (pictured), who took on the role of managing director in August, adds that, “our focus is on developing a strong domestic artist roster and the acquisition of Hög Agency & Promotion is a key part of this plan.
“We aim to be the best possible partner for our artists and enable them to develop and reach their full potential while offering fans memorable experiences. We welcome the Hög super team to the Live Nation family.”
In February, Live Nation Finland acquired urban music festival Blockfest, which, according to Live Nation Finland head promoter Zachris Sundell (pictured), this year sold out to its largest capacity crowd ever.
2019 has been a busy year for Live Nation, with IQ calculating 17 acquisitions or equivalent to date, following Singapore’s One Production in January, Canada’s Embrace Presents, Spain’s Planet Events, Tennessee’s Neste Event Marketing, Blockfest, Norway’s Tons of Rock and Australia’s Moshtix (through Ticketmaster) in February, Belgium’s Antwerps Sportpaleis and New England’s Levitate in April, Denmark’s PDH Music and Los Angeles-based Spaceland Presents in May, Poland’s Go Ahead and Superfly’s share of Bonnaroo in June, IMM’s stake in Rock in Rio in July and the UK’s Rewind Festival earlier this month.
The company is expected to finalise the taking of a majority stake Mexico’s Ocesa Entertainment – the largest promoter in Latin America – before the end of the year.
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Live Nation Finland appoints new MD
Live Nation Finland has appointed Tomi Saarinen as its new managing director, succeeding outgoing MD Nina Castrén.
Saarinen, who started work in Live Nation’s Helsinki office yesterday (12 August), was formerly marking director of Sony Music Finland. He has also worked at Finnish radio stations YleX and NJR.
“It’s great to be part of a top team that has recently performed spectacularly with Muse and Metallica, as well as several other gigs over the Finnish summer,” comments Saarinen. “We will continue to produce high-quality, memorable events and develop our artist roster.
“We want to be the best partner for artists, and enable them to develop to their full potential, while providing Finns with ever-more exciting experiences. I thank Live Nation for this great opportunity.”
“We want to be the best partner for artists and enable them to develop to their full potential”
Castrén, who is stepping down for health reasons, adds: “I leave Tom with a strong, stable and successful market leader. […] I am proud of the company, and I believe Tom will continue to increase its success with his input.”
According to IQ’s most recent Finland market report, Live Nation Finland and FKP-owned Fullsteam are the country’s two leading promoters.
Risto Juvonen, founder of Welldone Agency and Promotions, which became Live Nation Finland, stays on as the company’s chairman.
“The company is very grateful to Nina for her contribution, both as MD over the last nine years and throughout her 20-year career,” he says. “Her legacy provides Tom with a solid foundation from which to develop Live Nation’s market leadership.”
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