Timo Kotipelto & Jarkko Ahola - Voices Unleashed

Two of the best-known voices in Finnish rock and metal, Timo Kotipelto and Jarkko Ahola, are joining forces for the first time for a concert hall tour. The energetic tour brings together the two charismatic singers’ favourite songs, rock classics and brand-new duets.

Kicking off in Joensuu on 19 February, the Voices Unleashed tour will feature the artists’ own hits, including Stratovarius’ Black Diamond, as well as favourites from Jarkko Ahola’s career and a selection of rock classics by artists such as Queen, Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne and Scorpions. The setlist will also include surprising songs given a rock makeover – and, of course, duets performed by Kotipelto and Ahola together.

“Above all, this is about what happens when two different and powerful voices share the same stage. We wanted to create a concert where the audience can hear us both separately and together. And we’re really going to let our voices loose,” say Jarkko Ahola and Timo Kotipelto.

The tour combines the power of a rock concert, the sensitivity of great ballads and the musical dialogue between two charismatic performers.

“We want to live up to the audience’s expectations, so naturally there will be plenty of our own music as well,” Jarkko Ahola promises, adding that Taivas luo tulta will definitely be part of the show.

“I don’t think we’d be allowed to leave the stage without it,” says Timo Kotipelto. “It’s an honour to share the stage with Jarkko. I’m sure this will be something to tell the next generation about, too.”

“I’m truly honoured to share the stage with a man whose impressive career I’ve followed, both in Finland and internationally,” Ahola adds.

The concert will be accompanied by the outstanding Avenue Rock Orchestra. This 12-piece supergroup, made up of some of Finland’s leading musicians, is conducted by Antti Rissanen and combines a rock band, a brass section and a string section.

Jarkko Ahola

One of the turning points in rock tenor Jarkko Ahola’s career was embarking on a solo career after his years with the Finnish heavy metal band Teräsbetoni. Known for his powerful power- and heavy-metal vocals, Ahola has recently performed on numerous tours and at festivals. He is currently touring Finland with his concert hall tour Hienoimmat ja suurimmat and will also be embarking on his traditional Christmas concert tour.

Timo Kotipelto

Timo Kotipelto is internationally known as the frontman of the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius. He has been the band’s lead vocalist since 1994. Kotipelto is currently appearing on the Finnish TV show Vain elämää (Nelonen). In a couple of weeks, Stratovarius will embark on a tour taking them to countries including Colombia, Panama, Japan and China.

Avenue Rock Orchestra

The guitar section features virtuoso guitarist Tuomas Wäinölä, known from the Raskasta Joulua Christmas concert series, as well as multi-instrumentalist Saku Mattila. Drums are handled by Rolf Pilve, known from Stratovarius. The keyboards are played by Swedish-born musician Bob Engstrand, who now lives in Finland, while Jere Lehto takes care of the bass.

The brass section consists of Tero Lindberg, Antti Rissanen and Janne Huttunen. The trio is also known as the brass section of the Finnish rock band Popeda, from the era of frontman Pate Mustajärvi.

The string section is made up of musicians from Kymi Sinfonietta.

The cloakroom opens one hour before the event.
Please arrive early to avoid last-minute queues.