Flow Festival, which takes place in the Suvilahti area of Helsinki on 9.–11. August, announces its first bookings, including many artists from the top of the audience request lists. Among them are THE CURE, a cult band on the verge of its 40th anniversary and one that has been life’s soundtrack to several generations now. The band was born in the aftermath of the punk explosion and its big hits include songs like Friday I’m In Love, Boys Don’t Cry and Just Like Heaven. Flow also hosts TAME IMPALA, an Australian band that has grown to be the biggest name in alternative rock. What started out as a solo project for Kevin Parker in 2007 has drawn on a wide array of influences ranging from 60s psychedelia to electronic music. And after a break of some years, new material is in the making.
ROBYN, the Swedish star who made a successful move from the world of pop to more club-oriented sounds will also take the stage at Suvilahti in August. She released a new album called Honey in October and it was immediately hailed as one of the most important releases of the year. Flow is also hosting charismatic American musician FATHER JOHN MISTY who is equally beloved by critics and fans, German electronic music pioneer MODESELEKTOR and Japanese-American indie rock icon MITSKI, whose new record Be The Cowboy has topped countless end of year lists.
Also slated for a performance at the festival are American rap artist CUPCAKKE with her unapologetic lyrics and defence of LGBT rights, YVES TUMOR who draws from experimental electronic music to create his unique sound, rising Chicago-based jazz drummer, producer and composer MAKAYA MCCRAVEN and Berlin-based Finnish producer duo AMNESIA SCANNER, whose music has been praised in media outlets like Pitchfork, Resident Advisor and The Guardian.
Other domestic artists booked at this point include electronic pop super group RUUSUT, GASELLIT, an energetic live act that released its fifth album in October, SOFA, a rap duo dedicated to the cause of feminism, equality and liberty, and electropop cult artist JAAKKO EINO KALEVI who has a solid international following at this point. AGENTS, led by guitarist Esa Pulliainen will perform with singer VILLE VALO, who rose to fame as the frontman of HIM. Ville Valo & Agents are releasing an eagerly awaited album of songs by Rauli ”Badding” Somerjoki in February. IISA comes to Flow with a special set based on her album Päivii, öitä, featuring an extended live band and special guests.
Flow Festival will host over 100 performers and more will be published early next year.