The premises at Ääniwalli underwent a lengthy renovation, and when they reopened on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, with a spectacle like the 10-year anniversary show of underground favorites TEKSTI-TV 666, we simply had to attend. Alongside the main event, newcomers SIR LISELOT and KISSA, who have been gaining recognition for their energetic live shows and rock attitude, were also featured.
Inside Ääniwalli, significant changes were apparent. The setup now faces in a different direction, and there is a spacious feel to the new Room 1. However, on this particular concert night, the other side, Room 1+1, remained closed, leaving that aspect still to be experienced. Fortunately, the rustic, industrial feel of Ääniwalli seems to have been retained after the renovation.
The night began with SIR LISELOT – an alias for Liisa Tani – also known as a member of GHOST WORLD. SIR LISELOT‘s music dwells in the realm of pop, yet it carries an indie rock air and even occasional glimpses of heavier tones. The band included Günter Kivioja from KISSA on guitar. They managed to attract some of the crowd pouring into Ääniwalli to the front of the stage and appeared to have their own dedicated followers present as well. With a couple of visiting vocalists coming and going, the stage was lively. While there are some solid pop lines and melodies in their music, it remains somewhat challenging to define SIR LISELOT‘s distinctive style. Perhaps it is still a work in progress.
Next up was KISSA. They gained recognition with their ’70s-style rock on their debut album but have since revealed more of their softer side on their second release. Unfortunately, there were some feedback problems that seemed to affect KISSA‘s performance in the initial half of the show. Nevertheless, the crowd gathered in the front rows, and as the concert progressed, the atmosphere began to warm up. It appears that the more energetic tunes from their debut album resonate better with a live audience, and some of the most memorable moments occurred when the band (comprised of skilled musicians from various well-known bands such as KALEIDOBOLT, KYNNET, and TAMARA LUONTO) had the chance to improvise freely.
Finally, the main attraction took the stage. TEKSTI-TV 666 is renowned for their wall of guitars, featuring six guitarists simultaneously. This creates a massive sound that is impossible not to be drawn into. As it was the band’s anniversary, the venue was packed with enthusiasts. Consequently, TEKSTI-TV 666 quickly ignited a mosh pit at the front of the stage, with crowd surfers riding above the audience, setting the scene for an exhilarating rock performance. As a special treat for their fans, the band concluded the show by playing the four songs from their debut EP, much to the delight of the audience.
The anniversary show underscored why TEKSTI-TV 666 has maintained their appeal for a decade without faltering. The fundamentals of rock are straightforward: tight playing, volume, a dash of showmanship, and an ear for catchy tunes – a winning formula that has sustained them for the past ten years and, hopefully, for many more to come.
Check our photo gallery here…
Sir Liselot
Kissa
Teksti-TV 666
Photos by Arto Alho
