Regina Spektor is one of the most original and talented female singer-songwriters. The way she uses her voice is amazing as well as her piano playing. I have been a big fan since starting to listen to her only some 5 years back. Songs in the early albums Soviet Kitch and Begin To Hope are so fantastic and I have listened them a lot.
I saw Regina live for the first time in Gothenburg in 2009 and she was stunning, so happy, talented and funny. She had just released the album Far and had a great lively show.
Lisebergshallen, Göteborg 2009
The next year it was totally different mood at Ruisrock festinal as the cello player Daniel Cho had past away just days before. It was very sorrowful tone with only slow songs and Regina crying at times. But she still performed well and did not cancel the show, which I highly appreciate.
Ruisrock, Turku 2010
Yesterday it was my third Regina concert at Garden Party in Helsinki. Her set was 1,5 hours and there were many songs from the new sixth album What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, which has quite a relaxed tone and I would like to hear some more spark in her songs. All The Rowboats, Don't Leave Me (No Me Quitte Pas), Small Town Moon and Why are the ones standing out.
In the middle of the concert it got quite flat, but oldies Sailor Song, Better, Us, Fidelity and Samson always lifted up the spirit.
Garden Party, Helsinki 2012
I would say that Regina Spektor is an artist worth seeing live everytime it is possible. Hopefully she comes soon again to Finland. And now it is time for Summer In The City.
Yesterday I was enjoying sunny Friday evening, good music and company at Garden Party in Helsinki to mark the start of my summer holiday.
Hietaniemi was cool location and festival area was nicely organized. Copenhagen beer had the most stylish stand, which was the perfect place to sit and enjoy music, refreshments and evening sun.
Due to early playing times we unfortunately missed French Films and Little Dragon, which I had willingly seen. The Shins we listened from outside of the tent and it sounded all right. The biggest disappointment was that Charlotte Gainsbourg cancelled due to missing instruments. Difficult to understand that even if the artist was present and the audience was waiting for her, she chose not to perform at all.
So despite of all the interesting artists the festival had scheduled we saw only one. Luckily it was Regina Spektor, who did deliver 100%.
Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor was as gorgeous as always. She played some 1,5 hours and many of the new songs, like All the Rowboats and Don't Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas). I still think the older songs were highlighs of the concert, especially wonderful Samson, which ended the whole Garden Party.
And one could not have been happier with the beautiful weather!
Taivallahti
Overall stylish and well-functioning event with good selection of artists. Some improvement areas for the next time, such as timetable (if the festival is scheduled outside of the main holiday season) and selection of food suppliers. City festivals are always nice and I am really looking forward to next year's Garden Party.
