Experience the pulse of metal at TUSKA Festival 2024 in Helsinki, Finland, where iconic bands like Opeth and Parkway Drive delivered unforgettable performances. From Finnish favourites like Amorphis and Turmion Kätilöt to international acts such as HEALTH and Bury Tomorrow, the festival showcased a diverse lineup across multiple stages. Highlights included dynamic shows from emerging talents like Luna Kills and Dome Runner at the TUSKA KVLT stage, alongside immersive experiences at the TUSKA Expo. With its blend of legendary names and rising stars, TUSKA Festival 2024 celebrated metal culture with passion, energy, and a vibrant community spirit.
Introduction
The TUSKA Festival, an annual pilgrimage for metal aficionados across the Nordic region, unfolded once again amidst the industrial backdrop of Helsinki’s Suvilahti. Since its inception in 1998, TUSKA has grown into a colossal celebration of heavy music, amplified this year by its expansive lineup and larger-than-life stages.
Set against the backdrop of midsummer's eve, the festival kicked off its three-day spectacle from June 28th to 30th, shattering attendance records on its pulsating Saturday session. A staggering 23,000 eager metalheads congregated, marking the festival's peak in its illustrious history.
TUSKA is used to setting a record every year; this year was no exception. Saturday’s 23,000 is an insane amount of audience and we are incredibly proud of this group. Everyone is welcome and we all get along here.
TUSKA Festival Director Eeka Mäkynen proclaimed with pride
The metal mayhem unfolded across four meticulously crafted stages, each a testament to the festival's commitment to providing an unparalleled auditory and visual experience. From the revamped main stage, larger and more imposing than ever, to the intimate confines of the indoor venues, every space pulsed with the energy of metal's most devout followers.
TUSKA Expo
Located within the confines of Kattilahalli, nestled behind the main stage and the bustling food area, the TUSKA Expo beckoned with its eclectic offerings and vibrant atmosphere. This dedicated space served as a magnet for metal aficionados seeking more than just music.
Inside Kattilahalli, the TUSKA Expo unfolded as a lively marketplace adorned with a myriad of stalls. Here, attendees could peruse and purchase an array of metal-themed merchandise, from jewellery and clothing to unique memorabilia and oddities that captured the essence of the festival's spirit.
Beyond the shopping experience, the Expo hall catered to diverse tastes within the metal community. DIY enthusiasts could indulge in crafting sessions, creating their own studded leather bracelets or experimenting with elaborate corpse paint and hair extensions, adding a personal touch to their festival experience.
For those inclined towards more daring expressions, the Expo offered a carnival-like ambiance with activities that included games, tattoo and piercing services, and even a spectacle involving piercings and suspensions—an audacious nod to the metal aesthetic that pushed boundaries.
As I navigated through this immersive space, captivated by its energy and creativity, my exploration was unfortunately curtailed. The beckoning call of the next band on my agenda, situated on the opposite side of the festival grounds, compelled me to bid a reluctant farewell to the TUSKA Expo.
Nevertheless, the experience had left a great experience, underscoring the Expo's role as more than just a marketplace. It embodied the communal spirit of TUSKA, where metal music thrives alongside vibrant expressions of culture and creativity.
TUSKA KVLT
TUSKA KVLT stage is reserved for those who apply the fastest and due to that most of these bands are a bit lesser known or just upstarters looking to lure in a wider audience from TUSKA attendees. This was my first time ever to see any shows at the TUSKA KVLT stage because the Tiivistämö indoor space can only take a certain amount of people in, so I haven’t even bothered to try to get in after seeing the waiting lines for the shows I’ve wanted to see.
This time, I decided to check out at least a few shows during TUSKA's last festival day on Sunday.
The TUSKA KVLT community is a tribe where enthusiasts of festivals, metal music, and metal culture come together. As part of the TUSKA KVLT community, you have the opportunity to play a significant role in bringing the festival to life, meet new people, and gain unforgettable experiences. TUSKA KVLT exists so that new phenomenons in metal music and culture have room to grow and develop.
TUSKA website
TUSKA Festival will be back next year in the same place at Suvilahti, Helsinki. Until next year!
