Eppu Normaali ends 50 years of touring in emotional concerts
Sunday 9th August 2026 on 00:00 in
Finland
Finnish rock band Eppu Normaali ended 50 years of live performances in Tampere on Saturday, Yle reported. The band filled Ratina Stadium for three consecutive nights from Thursday to Saturday, drawing nearly 100,000 people in total.
The farewell concerts were felt throughout Tampere during the week. Fans travelled from across Finland, while the city embraced the band with Eppu Normaali shirts and other tributes.
At Hämeensilta, the Pirkkalais sculptures stood dressed in Eppu Normaali shirts. Concert preparations included extensive construction work and soundchecks, while a separate VIP area was built in Ratinanniemi Park. VIP guests were entertained by artist Aliisa Syrjä and could leave messages for the band.
The shows began after the stadium gates opened at 5pm each day. Eppu Normaali started performing in a small hut built on stage to resemble the band’s rehearsal room.
The concerts became large communal singalongs, particularly during the hit medley in the second half. The band also performed an acoustic section on a smaller stage built close to the audience.
Lead singer Martti Syrjä wore his familiar black T-shirt and jeans. Despite being 67, he continued jumping during the concerts as the pace intensified towards the end.
The band members appeared to enjoy the three-day farewell as much as the audience. Pantsé had a featured moment during the song Kitara, Taivas ja Tähdet.
The final concerts also took on a more emotional tone. The songs Kun olet poissa and Voi kuinka me sinua kaivataan moved the audience, while the band remembered its late original member Mikko Saarela.
Epe Helenius, the former chief executive and founder of record label Poko Rekords and a longtime figure behind Eppu Normaali, attended all three farewell shows. He said after Thursday’s concert that he expected the emotions to grow during the following nights.
“Something extra comes for Friday, and on Saturday the band and everyone else will be carried away by their emotions,” Helenius said, according to Yle.
The band’s longtime album-cover illustrator and graphic designer Kari Lahtinen also photographed the group during Thursday’s concert. Eppu Normaali merchandise proved popular, with tour shirts selling out.