July 25, 2019, Helsinki, Finland
Suvilahti was a construction area of steam turbine electrical power plant and gas plant in 1909/1910 by the architect Selim A. Lindqvist. While the power plant was closed in 1976 and gas production ended in 1994, the facilities were being renovated for the use by artists and other cultural activities, and the large courtyard is used for outdoor events. By taking metro at Kalasatama, Suvilahti is easily accessible from REDI shopping centre, perfectly for the music festival without worrying accommodation or public transportation for those who live Helsinki area.
Come out and play, all I want is to mix and match with hot pants and blazer at The Offspring gig in July 2019! Made in the USA, American Apparel 90% nylon, 10% elastane disco hot pants, is an easy and comfortable pair for the punk rock event. Matching with Zara 100% cotton oversize V-Neck black t-shirt and baby pink fishnet stockings, the whole tone avoids too bleak during summer season but keeps the spirit of rebellion. Louis Vuitton 100% polyester black blazer, made in Slovakia, is a uniform souvenir while working at LVMH. Decorated with LV logo copper buttons alongside with hand pockets designs (where I can easily reach lipsticks and sunglasses without zipping my sac during the gig), this practical piece owns the understated luxury and multi-matching possibilities.
Having been The Offspring great fan since the studio album Smash released in 1994, I am totally nodding my heads while Dexter Holland howling his Self Esteem to Come Out and Play, enjoying his nearly confession-diary lyrics. Indeed the small town life in Garden Grove, California may contain unplanned pregnancy, unemployment, drug addiction and suicide case, which, are never pleasant to raise the excitement of ears; nevertheless, Mr. Holland’s experiences are highly social realistic, the lyrics of The Offspring convey more powerful emotions in comparison to a lot of cheesy refrain pop punk bands.
After ‘Come Out and Play’, at the break, the guitarist Noodles, interviews with the front man: ‘Dexter, if you could play cover of any band, any band of the world; what band would you cover right now? Mr. Holland quickly jokes, ‘Ed Sheeran, is that kind of the band?” The audience is humming; undeniably, it is a great sense of humour just right after Divide Tour held in 23rd July, though never offends me as being Ed’s huge fan.
The most touchy part of the whole gig, is that Dexter playing piano solo for A Lot Like Me, while the studio version fromRise and Fall, Rage and Gracestill holds rather heavy guitar layers, nearly the feels of Linkin Park; while the live version in Suvulahti is more of melancholic sonata. ‘Why Don’t You Get A Job’ gathers most of our laughter, ‘Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)’ prolongs the guitar prelude, after ‘Uno Dos Tres Quatro Cinco Cinco Seis’, the stage lights turn peachy pink, and ‘you know it’s kind of hard, just get along today.’
From 1984 to 2019, Dexter and Noodles’ bad jokes and boyish voices remain as playful as the Americana era, indeed the members are not jumping or running around as energy overload pink rabbits, the whole gig lasts merely 90 minutes, as yet, All I Want is some great Smash for Time to Relax.
Special Thanks: JMH
