Eppu Normaali plays final concert before packed Tampere stadium

Finnish rock band Eppu Normaali is performing its final concert at Ratina Stadium in Tampere on Saturday, Yle reports. The band is marking its 50th anniversary with the farewell show.

The stadium gates opened at 5pm, with large crowds gathering outside in sunny weather. Yle is following the concert evening with updates from the stage, the audience and the surrounding event area.

Eppu Normaali announced last October that it would stop touring. Singer Martti Syrjä said the decision was a joint one by the ageing band.

The concert is the band’s third and final farewell show. Yle has recorded the performance and will broadcast it on TV1 and Yle Areena on 6 December 2026.

Fans began queuing outside the stadium several hours before the gates opened. Markus Kauppinen arrived before noon in the hope of securing a place at the front. Emma Kosonen and Simeon Seitz eventually reached the barrier at the front of the stage after starting their queue at 12.45pm.

Seitz said he wanted to see guitarist Juha Torvinen’s toes, although he assumed Torvinen would be wearing shoes.

Actor and presenter Eppu Salminen, who is a long-time Eppu Normaali fan, said he expected an emotional evening and would not be surprised if a tear appeared.

Aliisa Syrjä, a member of the Syrjä artistic family, performed for VIP guests at the stadium from 5pm. Her songs include Sydän on rikki, Hullu nainen and 2:02.

According to Yle, President Alexander Stubb is among the notable guests attending the farewell concert.

The band’s farewell has also been visible beyond Ratina Stadium. People gathered in parks and on terraces near the venue, while sculptures on Häme Bridge were dressed in Eppu Normaali shirts. A large screen on the riverfront has shown Finnish rock hits throughout the week.