Ah, summer. Long days at the holiday cottage, outdoor barbecues, daily saunas, the Helsinki skyline…
No, just us who thinks of Finland as the quintessential summer holiday destination? Well, it's our magazine, so we'll talk about whatever we want, thank you very much. Anyway, the real reason we've got our sights set on a Scandinavian sojourn is that Helsinki's Flow Festival is back for another year of eclectic, environmentally-friendly fun. Don't believe us? Here are five of the best acts playing this year's festival.
RAYE
If you don't know who RAYE is, where the hell have you been? Winner of so many awards she must be renting storage space just for somewhere to put them, as well as a Number 1 single in the form of 2022's 'Escapism', it's fair to say she's Quite a Big Deal. She's also very good live, with her performance at last year's Glastonbury being singled out as a highlight for many. Her first-ever festival headline slot at this year's BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Luton was likewise a triumph, so it's safe to say Flow is in for something pretty special.
IDLES
Five albums in and showing no sign of slowing down, Bristol's IDLES continue to be one of the most dedicated live acts around. Giving everything at every performance, and with a searingly high-energy back catalogue to match, new album 'TANGK' might focus on love and understanding, but their set is likely to be one of the most raucous to have hit Helsinki in quite some time.
Pulp
Everybody loves a comeback – especially when it's the reformation of one of the best bands around. Pulp's initial run of reunion shows has extended well beyond what anyone expected, but Jarvis and co. still aren't likely to keep at it forever, so go and see them while you can. Plus, if there's anything as fun as belting out the words to 'Common People' at a festival headline set after a few bottles of fizzy pop, we've yet to experience it.
