9.7.2012

Michael Monroe, Turku’s Resident of the Year, celebrated his 50th anniversary by performing at the festival on Saturday

The 43^rd Ruisrock 6 to 8 July.

Ruisrock once again took over Ruissalo National Park this weekend. The stage was set for a great mix of artists including Jimmy Cliff, Snoop Dogg, Nightwish, The Cardigans, Santigold and Apulanta.

Bloc Party

Water and mudd all over the place.

Jimmy Cliff

Snoop Dogg

The festival opened on Friday with Herra Ylppö ja Ihmiset on the Niittylava stage and Kuningasidea on the beach. Friday was not as heavy as in previous years but the likes of Refused and Mustasch ensured that eardrums are severely tested. Nor did we forget Flogging Molly, whose rousing stage act was guaranteed to move the Niittylava audience as one from the front to the back.

Friday night’s headliners were Pulp, who have been one of Britain’s most entertaining and important bands from the mid 1980’s onwards. They played Ruissalo in 1996 and have reunited after a break of 10 years, their comeback tour has proved the enduring quality of their music.

Michael Monroe's birthday show

On Saturday, Michael Monroe, who was voted Turku Resident of the Year, took to the stage to celebrate his 50th birthday. Monroe was named as one of the world's most respected and least known rock musicians by The Wall Street Journal. He’s a crowd favourite for his showmanship, dynamism and energy, which leaves younger musicians gasping for air. There’s always a surprise during the show and this birthday year didn't make an exception.

On Saturday, The Cardigans took to the stage to play their classic album Gran Turismo. It promised to be a unique experience.

Snoop Dogg and Jimmy Cliff were Sunday's best-known artists

Rock, Reggae and Rap and mix on Sunday as the Mars Volta, Snoop Dogg, and reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff took the stage.

The day had music for all tastes; from teen favorite Robin to skate punk favourites Suicidal Tendencies, while Two Door Cinema Club and Metronomy made first visits to Finland and cool Finnish pop could be heard from French Films, Zebra and Snake and Elokuu.

As part of the continuation of the Capital of Culture year, circus acts took also to the stage and surprise events happened anywhere in the festival area. On the Louna stage you could see the professional circus group Circus Lumica and the guitar, drums and tap dance combination of Mümmö.

Also moving round the festival area was be last year’s award-winning puppet theatre Kuuma Ankanpoikanen.

All in all there were 60 artists for three heady days of fun.

Read more

• www.ruisrock.fi
  
• Pictures from Ruisrock 2012
• Improved accessibility at Ruisrock (In Finnish)
• The University of Applied Sciences at Ruisrock (In Finnish)
• Ruisrock announces artists and accessibility plans (In Finnish)