Tammerfest opening delayed by hour after heavy storm hits Tampere

Tammerfest’s opening concert in Tampere was delayed by one hour on Saturday after a severe thunderstorm swept across the city at 3 p.m., organizers confirmed.

The first act, Benjamin, was originally scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. but started at 4 p.m. instead, according to event production manager Jenna Fyhr. “Safety comes first. We’ve now been told by meteorologists that the thunderstorm has passed and no new cells are approaching,” Fyhr said.

Benjamin’s set was not the only performance affected. Samuli Putro’s concert was also pushed back, though later acts are expected to regain the lost time, Fyhr added.

The outdoor festival at Ratinan Stadion, which sold out with roughly 9,500 attendees, featured additional performers including Maija Vilkkumaa, Vesala and Eppu Normaali on Saturday’s lineup.

Emergency services in Pirkanmaa responded to flooding in the parking garage of the Koskikeskus shopping centre after a storm drain overflowed, leaving water on the floor. By the time rescue units arrived, the situation had stabilized and drains were functioning normally, the Pirkanmaa Rescue Services said.

Other weather-related incidents were reported in the Tampere area around the same time, though details were not immediately available.