Flow Festival, organised August 13-16 at Helsinki’s Suvilahti as part of the Helsinki Festival, matched its high expectations.  The event expanded from that of last year’s both in terms of the festival area and duration. All of the four days of the sixth Flow Festival drew a nearly sell-out crowd, and both three and two-day tickets were sold out in advance.

Altogether Flow gathered some 40 000 music lovers into the historic Suvilahti power plant area over four days. Showcasing a broad spectrum of urban music in various forms, Flow featured both international and domestic acts at six different venues, including the fresh additions Makasiini and Sauna Yard.

Another new feature at Flow Festival was the opening concert on Thursday, produced in collaboration with Live Nation. The concert, starring German electro legends Kraftwerk was almost sold out, bringing 6 200 spectators into the Flow Festival Main Stage area. The festival site at large was filled with a crowd nearing the full capacity of 12 000 spectators on each night during the Flow weekend from Friday to Sunday.

Grace Jones (JAM) presenting her unique stage show on Saturday, Lily Allen (UK) making her debut performance in Finland, Ladyhawke (NZ) filling the Tent Stage with enthusiastic fans, and Vampire Weekend (US) making a strong impact with their strong stage presence are just few of the festival’s many highlights. Altogether Flow Festival featured more than 70 artists, and in addition to music, the festival included a variety of visual arts.

The time and place of next year’s Flow Festival will be announced later. The Suvilahti area will go through a renovation in the fall through to spring of 2010, but the operation should be completed in time for Flow Festival 2010.