Sara Hammerzmith

So, this day started very interestingly, to say the least. At first, I struggled falling asleep because Michelle snored like there was no tomorrow. I kid you not – I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and I would hear her snoring all the way out in the hallway. After I woke her up, she stopped. So it was fine. Then I’d wake up then and then, perhaps because of “new” bed.

And then, I woke up in the morning because of a lot of noise. And I was so pissed, because it says very clearly outside that it should be silent between 22-08, so I was so ready to go and complain about it, but I was too tired. Eventually, I woke up for real and checked the time.

10.35.

10.35. The check-out due is 10. We were supposed to get up at 9. We freaked out, to say the least. Gladly, the hotel was a bit over-seeing with it, and let us do a late checkout without any additional expense. Than you, Hotel Micro! This is why I keep returning to you, always and forever.

Anyway. We got out around 11 and hit up the first Espresso House we could find to have probably the most expensive breakfast we’ve had in a very long time. We started moving towards the buscentral, but we did a quick stop at Creole. It’s really one of my favorite stores in Stockholm, so I’m so sad to see them close. I managed to pick up a pair of earrings though, will be great when I get my second pair of holes.

We thought about going to Blue Fox, but decided against it. Which was great, because the bus was set to departure five minutes earlier than I thought. I guess it was good in a way that we had the “Miss the bus” protection on those tickets, after all.

This time, we DID get the good bus, with extra legspace, leatherseats and all that stuff. Helped me a lot to finish up writing about the show last day, and to prepare myself for a maybe Delain show. For some reason, Delain was the only thing I could listen to.

We arrived in Örebro around 16, and we, alongside some other Korpiklaani fans, got off the bus and then we headed downtown. We wanted to find some store to find elastics for my hair, but instead we ran into a friend of mine. I wasn’t sure at first if it was her, but it was indeed! It has been a few months since I last saw her, so it was really good to just bump into her! Sadly, she told us all stores closed at 16, so off to Burger King we were, and we sat there for about two and a half hours. And what did we do? Well, first of all, sloweat, because I’m a sloweater. We planned the night, drew up some drafts, re-booked bustickets and then we changed clothes and put on our make up and all that stuff. at 18.30 cirka, we headed over to the arena, which was ten minutes walk from Burger King, I want to add. Oh. I went for the straight look, for a change, by the way.

So, we got to the arena and we sat outside for quite some time. They never opened the door. We didn’t quite understand why, I mean sure, we’ve been around for a long time so we have dealt with delayed doors time, like Noch Ein Bier for instance, but it felt so weird. When about 20-25 minutes has passed, a guy sitting at the open bar service mutters that the doors are around the corner, literally 90% of the people sitting at that open bar got up and left. So, we weren’t the only ones who were wrong, gladly.

The thing is, the place where the entrance was were also where the tourbus was. And since it was on a “backstreet”, we were pretty sure it was the backstage entrance, but apparently, it was both. We got downstairs, turned in our gear and the first thing we noticed was how small the place were.

We were in this location called “B-Salen” which I suppose is the smaller arena of the venue. It was as small as Knastret, the second hand record store we have here in town. It looked a bit like Knastret too – it had the same thing with the stairs, the decor, everything. Cozy. But we were surprised.

The only thing I don’t like with small venues like this, is the fact that the stage is almost floor size, which makes it hard for anyone who isn’t in the first three rows to see very good. So that was the only downside, but aside that, I can’t complain more. I like small places.

Just as in Stockholm, Grimner walked on stage a bit early. They were supposed to go on at 20 sharp, but got on stage somewhere 19.40-19.45. Again, I don’t personally complain, it’s more.. It isn’t too fun for the people who really believe they will start sharp.

But, lets forget about that for a moment. Grimner. The set was just as good and energetic today as it was yesterday, and it was a bit more exciting to see them today, as we knew a little bit more of them now. But yes, really good and really fun. The audience was with them too, gladly. Not as much as last night, but still in.

(Because of lack of useable pictures of Grimner from Örebro, I serve you one from Stockholm)

Anyway, after this, the… fairly short wait for Korpiklaani begun. Last night, we had already witnessed them going on stage about 15 minute prior to their stagetime, and we were very… weirded out by the fact that the  host had set one hour between Korpiklaani and Grimner, when they only did 30 minutes the day before. They were said to go on stage at 21.30, so we had to wait and see, I guess.

Already when they check the last mics, I see the entire band – Jonne standing on the side of stage.

And then, the intro finally started.

And at the very time Matson entered the stage, the time was around 20.45. 

We are talking about 45 minutes. 45 minutes early, according to their original stagetime.

While this isn’t personally a problem for me, and I think everyone likes when bands doesn’t diva around and wait just because they can, being 45 minutes early is problematic. The most likely reason, is a typo from the host. That they meant 21.00 sharp, and not 21.30. What is remarkable, is the fact that they actually wrote TWICE that they’d start at 21.30. And that makes me question why on earth Grimner, and then Korpiklaani, would go on stage so early?

Anyway. Back to the show, they opened with “Viinamäen Mies” and despite it being a fairly small crowd, the welcoming was very big and warm.

The setlist was pretty similar to yesterday, so there is no particular point for me to break down the setlist song by song, but I will speak a bit about the atmosphere.

Nothing bad against Klubben now, because I love Klubben as a venue, but seriously. Korpiklaani in a small sized venue is something very, very special. First of all, Michelle and I were on the top of our game with our dancing, impressing people to the left and right during songs like “Sathi”, “Ruuminmultaa” and “Juodaan Viina”, but some of the most magical songs of the evening was found in, first of all, my all time favorite of course, “Sumussa Hämärän Aamun”, but also in a song I was never fond of, but has grown on me thanks to this very show; “Lempo”. Yes, I said it. I was never fond of “Lempo”, but I’m sold now.

But my highlight of the entire evening was “Pellonpekko”. What? And instrumental song? What the heck? No see – this is fantastic. First of all, this is a fantastic piece of music. And second of all, in the midst of our dancing, a little crowd is approaching us, and before we know it, we are all engaged in a circledance which included probably half of the arena, and eventually the other few who didn’t participate had to move over so we could dance properly.

And yes, this is a big deal. Because even metalheads in Sweden – they don’t… really do this kind of thing. The Swedish myth isn’t a myth, it’s true – Swedes, or perhaps nordic people I don’t know, like to stick to themselves and their crew, and to see that many people spontaneously getting together warmed my heart a lot.

The main difference from last nights set was the lack of “Happy Little Boozer”. We’re not sure if they did that on purpose, or if they forgot it, or if it was because of the annoying person yelling “Juodaan Viina” throughout the entire set who forced them to skip “Boozer”, but it was gone nonetheless. Doesn’t bother me THAT much, but still.

But all in all – despite lack of “Boozer”, and despite of annoying men yelling “Juodaan Viina” this gig was probably the better of the two, shockingly. Despite us seeing close to nothing, despite the small arena. I enjoyed it so much.

After the show was done, so many people came and complimented us on our dancing, using words as “enchanting”. Michelle said afterwards that, “This is what will make us famous”. She’s probably right. Or at least infamous. We even got compliments from the securityguards and the wardrobelady, which we had NO idea could actually even see us!

Of course, this forced us to once again not being able to walk. It took longer than it should to get to the parking lot where my mother would pick us up, but we got there eventually.

I seriously wanna thank all the people involved on this trip – Korpiklaani, Grimner and Michelle for giving me one of the most fantastic weekends this year. I loved every bits, and it ended way too soon, if you ask me.

Now, it’s time for us to recharge quickly, because guess which two are getting back to work in six hours? Yup, us.

// Sara