IKINÄ took over On The Rocks for a night that felt less like a standard album show and more like something shared between everyone in the room. Outside, spring had already settled into the city, but inside, the air was warmer, heavier, filled with expectation. With AWAKE AGAIN opening the evening, people gathered early, and the space slowly filled, not in a rush, but with purpose. By the time the first notes hit on April 25th, 2026, it was clear this would not be a passive night, the room was already alive, waiting to give as much energy as it would receive.
AWAKE AGAIN set the tone immediately. From the start, their energy felt effortless but contagious, driven largely by frontman Matti Österman, whose constant smile and charisma pulled the crowd in without forcing it. There was a clear sense that the band genuinely enjoys being on stage together. That chemistry translated into every moment, from tight transitions to spontaneous interactions, and it didn’t take long before the audience responded in kind. The connection felt natural, almost immediate, turning the early part of the night into something more than just a warm-up set. A standout moment came when Katariina Sorsa of IKINÄ joined them on stage, reinforcing that sense of shared space between the bands rather than a clear divide.
By the time IKINÄ took the stage, the energy had shifted but not dropped. If anything, it became more focused. Touring behind Valkyria, the band carried a sense of pride that was visible from the first moments of “Valkyria” and “Sarvet.” The newer material didn’t just sit alongside their older songs, it pushed the sound forward, adding more dynamics and depth while still holding onto the recognisable IKINÄ identity.
Tracks like “Aurora” and “Raato” kept the momentum tight, while “Elämänviiva,” performed live for the first time, highlighted the band’s evolving direction. There was a noticeable confidence in how the new material was delivered, not just played, but owned. That confidence carried through “Kipujen valtakunta” and “Viholliseni,” where the balance between aggression and melody felt especially sharp.
As the set progressed, “Inari” and the return of “Valkyria” reinforced the thematic core of the night, before “Jumalatar” brought one of its biggest moments. Featuring Jenna Kosunen, Sara Strömmer, and Suvimarja Halmetoja, the performance expanded beyond the core band into something more collaborative, layering voices and presence in a way that elevated the track into a clear highlight. “Sydämenlyönnit” followed with a more grounded intensity, closing the first part of the set on a strong, controlled note.
The second set opened with “Lautturi,” originally by PMMP, reworked into IKINÄ’s heavier framework without losing its emotional core. From there, “Syvämeri,” featuring Matti Österman, and “Tapa loinen” pushed the energy back upward, before “Tie” brought the set to a close with a sense of forward momentum rather than finality. What stood out most throughout the night was the sense of unity. This wasn’t just about one band performing to an audience, it felt like a collective experience. IKINÄ carried a visible pride in their new material. Still, just as importantly, they shared the stage and the moment, bringing in guests, connecting with the crowd, and blurring the lines between performers and participants.
By the end of the night, nothing felt separate anymore. The stage, the crowd, the songs, it all blurred into one continuous moment. IKINÄ didn’t just perform their set, they shared it, building something that moved between people rather than staying on stage. Long after the final notes faded, that feeling remained, not loud, not overwhelming, but steady and real, as something carried quietly out into the Helsinki night.
Text and photos by Peter Jerman
Setlist
- Intro
- Sarvet
- Aurora
- Raato
- Victoria
- Elämänviiva (live debut)
- Kipujen valtakunta
- Viholliseni
- Inari
- Valkyria
- Jumalatar (with Jenna Kosunen, Sara Strömmer, Suvimarja Halmetoja)
- Sydämenlyönnit
- Lautturi (PMMP cover) (Encore)
- Syvämeri (with Matti Österman) (Encore)
- Tapa loinen (Encore)
- Tie (Encore)
