Article by Neil
It started with a casual unsuspecting look at the competition pages on the Oceanborn UK website the day after competition close. Was that my name in the winners? a quick refresh of the web page a dozen times to check, and a call to Jennifer (my wonderful guest) to tell of the news, and our experience of a lifetime had begun. We had a lot to organise.
For me, the trip to Helsinki will always be close to my heart as it fulfilled dreams of visiting Nightwish's homeland, meeting (and hugging) Tarja (who Jennifer and I met at an audio-visual trade show the day before the gig) and seeing a final show of an extensive tour with full stage setup. I was unaware prior to this fantastic adventure that I was to also about to witness the last Nightwish show with Tarja as frontwoman.
Upon meeting Mary and the other competition winners on the first night, it was clear we were all in a privileged and honored situation. We had an instant connection due to the love and passion for Nightwish and music in general. We all had a wealth of stories and experiences that we would share till the early hours in the hotel bar, much to the bemusement of the bar staff wondering if they were going to get a chance to close up the bar at all.
The afternoon of the gig, we all met in the hotel lobby to be escorted to the Hartwall Areena by taxi and arrived in time for a quick walk around the imposing venue and for a group 'pre-gig' photo. Posters of Nightwish, huge and majestic shrouded the buildings exterior and we each (childishly) toyed with which part we would take home should it fall to the ground, my vote was off course for Tarja's face. Once inside, we split to get to merchandise stands, toilets and beer queues but were reunited in our seats in time to catch a blistering and tight Sonata Arctica set, mixing older classics with newer 'Reckoning Night' gems such as 'Blinded no more' and 'Don't say a word' (which has since become the song of the trip for Jennifer and I). It was nearly time for what we had traveled to Helsinki to see and we grew restless and excited while scanning through tour programmes purchased earlier (guys, banana + Tarja - need I say more!). The lights went down and the intro started. That would be the start of a magical and outstanding set that put the Hammersmith show into the shadows. Complete with full Pyro, confetti, fireworks and lighting never witnessed firsthand in England, the music filled the air and our hearts. The band were on top form, fully utilising the massive stage on platforms and risers and churning out the beautiful songs with ease and precision. Highlight for me was my own personal favourite, 'Ever Dream' which never fails to send shivers down my spine. No one can underestimate the power that Nightwish's songs have, taking the listener on a musical journey which mixes emotions and story-telling into the sound that we all love and admire. But, to see them live and in there home country made it even more special.
After the first half of the set, John Two-Hawks arrived on stage in a blanket of dry ice and treated the Hartwall crowd to his traditional native American music, which was both melodic and inspiring. With a well-earned break over, the band joined there guest on stage and ‘Creek Mary's Blood' filled the Arena, sounding powerful, monumental and like a movie score in a fantasy film. As has become tradition ‘I wish I had an angel' brought the night to a close, and the band remaining on stage arm in arm for a group bow and to lap up the applause that they had so deserved. The show was over…and it saddens me now to also note that Tarja's and the boys musical relationship was over also.
After a tight squeeze in a taxi (5 of us and the driver!), we arrived back at the hotel to reflect upon the night over some cold drinks in the bar and to take our 'after-gig' photo.
The people I shared my trip with play key parts in my memories of Helsinki, starting as acquaintances fortunate enough to have been given the same opportunity as me, but soon developing into friends who I hope will keep in contact and will see again in the near future. Thank you to Mary, Robert, Richard, Lindsay and off course Jennifer (my oceansoul).
I wish Tarja Good luck in all that she does within her career and life and will stay with her on that journey, Thank you for the times.
Nightwish will contuinue with Tuomas's exquisite writing and musical genius, and I sincerely hope that fans will treat our newest member of Nightwish as well as we have all treated Tarja.
