Paul Oakenfold about his gig in Helsinki

Thursday August 6: Madonna West Harbour, Helsinki, Finland

The sun is still with us as we cross on the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. The ride over is a laugh and the food excellent!

Arriving at the hotel its: out of the car, avoid being run down by cyclist, meet the promoter for tomorrow night club gig at Circus, then check into our hotel. As with all his club gigs on this tour, Paul has his DJ equipment from his rider set up in his hotel room on arrival. This allows him to listen to material for on-going projects (which there are many of) plus new tracks from CD’s to try out for that night’s set. It’s a good system that works on many different levels.

From the dock, we can view the staging on West Harbour (the site for tomorrows concert), it’s massive. Disembarking of the boat, Paul gets talking to a Finnish Madonna fan who praises what an amazing show it was in Tallinn, and how the Finnish crowd will be even better at the tomorrows show. We can believe that, Tallinn was a good crowd but the Finns are known more for expressing themselves.

The following day, leaving the hotel for the gig, the constant flow of traffic seems to head in the direction of the West Harbour. The closer we get, it turns into a procession of people; the whole of Helsinki’s is turning out for Madonna.

Once his arm is taped again, Paul is well enough to play. It’s awkward, but he arrives on stage to an absolute mass of (what later was recorded as) 98,000 people. Still, getting them to warm up and have a good time is no easy job. Gradually, the crowd follows his every gesture until being completely persuaded by the appearance of Madonna’s dancers, who are now a part of this ritual warm up. The sight of this mass of smiling people is 100% satisfying. This has been a most awesome crowd!

via.

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