I really wanted to see a proper Rasmus concert for many reasons. And I say “proper concert” because their appearance at the Odeon with Desmond Child a few years ago obviously doesn’t count. The Finns have managed over the past 30 years (it’s incredible how the years go by, since I will always think of The Rasmus as a new band) to release some very noteworthy albums and leave behind 3-4 songs that are still played on the radio. Furthermore, the mere fact that they collaborate on a regular basis with Desmond Child gives them extra points on my informal rating scale.
Upon entering Floyd, the first thing that struck me was the low average age of the audience and the fact that the venue was relatively full (although the balcony remained closed). With no support act, at 9 p.m. sharp, The Rasmus made their appearance on stage amid general pandemonium! From the first notes of “Rest in Pieces,” it was obvious that the Finns were in great shape and had come ready to rock for a concert that the crowd had been eagerly awaiting. With a new album under their belt, the excellent “Weirdo,” The Rasmus played several songs from it, and I particularly liked that the crowd was singing along to the lyrics of the new songs. Impressive! Guitarist Emppu Suhonen has clearly raised the band’s level with her explosive stage presence, while singer Lauri Ylonen captivated the audience with his ease and overall performance. The sound was crystal clear, with some samples and pre-recorded parts for the show’s needs, without altering the live feeling in any way.
As expected, “Livin’ in a World Without You,” “Jezebel,” “In The Shadows,” “F-F-F-Falling,” and the encore “Sail Away” (where Ylonen came out alone with an acoustic guitar) caused a real commotion. At this point, it is worth mentioning that the singer of The Rasmus did not stop expressing himself in the best possible terms about Greece, emphasizing that he composes most of his songs in Folegandros (with Desmond Child). After more than 90 minutes, The Rasmus left, promising to return to our country soon. It was a flawless performance and an excellent evening overall in every respect.
Sakis Nikas
* The front photo comes from The Rasmus’ official page on Facebook.
