A Constant Visual Feast

It doesn’t take much to make me happy – usually a movie, a beer, good company, some confection or another that clocks in at far too many calories (if I’ve worked out that day), time with the two goofballs I call my daughters*. You may now add “spend 5 hours at an unbeatable concert venue while men in flamingo costumes lead a conga line through the stage floor, joined by other performers from other bands” to that list.

This piece came together rapidly. I don’t write about music as much as I’d like, and certainly far less than I’d like for Paste; given the chance to attend Folkfest of the North, featuring Taiwanese prodigy Nini, Norwegian weirdos Trollfest, Finnish Viking speed metalheads Ensiferum, and, of course, the grandaddies of all contemporary folk metal, Korpiklaani**. I had a specific purpose: to satisfy a question I’ve had for years, spurred by a conversation I had with a former Boston area colleague and terrific music journalist, about whether folk metal fans are the happiest metal fans on the planet.

Turns out that they are. I do wish any of the people I spoke with were comfy with being quoted in the piece, but I respect their wish for privacy; they were all wonderful and insightful, and helped me feel at home as one who rarely if ever goes to see live music. But hey, question answered. These fans? They exhale exuberance***.

Read my full report from the Brighton Music Hall over at Paste Magazine.

*Because they literally are my daughters.
**Fun fact: before my oldest kiddo had opinions and preferences, back when I could put on whatever the hell music I pleased on car rides, I fired up “Verikoira,” the opening track to Korpiklaani’s 11th album, Jylhä, then checked the rearview and saw her little arms over her head, air drumming to the thunder of Samuli Mikkonen’s percussion. Proud dad moment.
***The band members are chill, too. Jonne Järvelä, Korpiklaani’s lead singer and one of the most compelling frontmen in music today, sauntered into the place through the front door, not a care in the world, like he was just people. He stands out, even in that crowd. I’m shocked he wasn’t immediately mobbed, but I suspect that’s more proof of folk metal fans’ character.