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Clarkkent / Stonetone – Semifinal, Helsinki ; April 30th 2012

Vappu-aatto in Finland, crazy-drunk people everywhere and no party plans made. So what’s a woman to do? Go to a concert! I knew and liked Clarkkent’s first album, but had never heard of Stonetone. However, the location was central, the entrance fee cheap and I could really not think of a better place to spend the evening.

I arrived a bit after the doors opened and was alone with the bands and their friends for the first hour or so. After that, a few more people arrived, but it was still nowhere near being full. Due to a party afterwards, they were supposed to start at 09:30 p.m., comparably early for a finnish gig.

I took a spot on the sidelines and waited for Stonetone to take the stage. They were late, but kicket of the show with some good music. It was quite enjoyable, a bit punkish, somewhat reminiscent of The Gaslight Anthem and Green Day in style. I had fun and so did the rest of the audience. Some were even dancing and headbanging along. I knew none of the songs, but I liked listening and watching. I don’t remember how long they played but I think it was around 45 minutes. They were a good warm up for the band to come.

Setlist:

I need my melancholy
Red to white
For plutocracy
Garden of red eyes
No Heroes
Greatest joke ever told
Ekonomik
Snow ballad
???
1,5 for the mastermind
Don’t let the pigs own you

Clarkkent played a bit longer. They were fun as well. A good live band. I did not recognize or remember any of the songs. They might have played only the ones from the new album for all I know. a few more people had come to see them and they had moved in a bit closer, but it was still all very relaxed and by no means a full house. The band and the audience were enjoying it though. For me it was a bit weird to take on the role of teh observer without any emotional involvement. I walked around, took pictures from different points of view, looked out for good shots, listened, but never got to the point where I was really into it. It was more like watching an interesting movie than being at a concert. I enjoyed it though, the music is very listenable and they brought it across well. They even came back for an encore, giving in to much yelling and screaming.

Setlist:

RCH GRL
Another tomorrow
Head down
I do
Shortest straw
One track mind
We will epire
Write to REM
RER

Once it was over I bought Clarkkent’s latest CD to have a chance to listen to the songs again at home. I liked them, I would not mind seeing them again, but I don’t think either band will make it to the top of my priority list. A solid, enjoyable performance, but the final spark was missing, at least for me. It was certainly a good way to spend the evening though.

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