For Ville Valo’s most devoted fans, a triad of concerts in Tavastia was almost a poetic gift. The 2023 started in the same place, the place where VV began the tour of his self-titled album Neon Noir, a tour that has successfully taken him to more than 100 cities around the planet.

2023’s last breath was taken among fans who traveled from all over the world to participate in three nights full of energy, three nights of sweat and frenetic heat that defied the sub-zero degrees of relentless Helsinki.

Ville Valo arrived on stage with the confidence that has always characterized him. He served three irreproachable concerts, the last being the largest, the most memorable.

On both December 29 and 30, VV played almost the same setlist but for the last gig he surprised everyone with two of the most requested songs, two favorites for the nostalgic: Gone With The Sin and Killing Lonelliness.

For three nights, Valo took the stage after the performance of the British duo Zetra, an opening act that will accompany his tour until May. After this black metal pair’s appearance set in an atmospheric gothic electronic sound, the audience was preparing to receive their dose of melancholic beats, riffs and intricately beautiful verses.

New Year’s Eve

Seconds before midnight, the Tavastian tradition of counting down and welcoming the New Year with champagne foam was replicated. Hugs between fans began to the rhythm of the instrumental Zener Solitaire, a piece of music that served as the background for the musicians to find their place on stage.

Echolocate Your Love, Wings of Butterfly, The Foreverlost and Join Me made up the first segment of this zigzag journey between the Finnish composer’s new songs and the most iconic hymns that he created with HIM.

Neon Noir appeared on the setlist between the performer’s frolicking with his followers in the front rows, a group of super animated fans who couldn’t stop howling and jumping, which caused Ville to smile with complacency and excitement throughout the room.

The Kiss of Dawn gave another opportunity to the musicians to establish themselves as the chosen ones to cover the greats of His Infernal Majesty. Salute the Sanguine, The Funeral of Hearts and Heartful of Ghosts gave a break to the adrenaline. This last piece was accompanied live by a masterful lightshow capable of making visible the most exquisite spectral rhythm.

Gone With The Sin arrived upon the expectant silence of the audience. Ville’s deep voice traveled through all the nerve endings, the simple but sensual verses of this song, which has turned more than 20 years old, were timidly chanted. The looks were set on the immovable Ville, with his pair of lips barely opening on the microphone and the veins in his neck reflecting all the work.

Run Away From The Sun and Killing Loneliness also impacted with their cadence and rhythm. Loveletting, Buried Alive and Saturnine Saturnalia closed a set of 15 songs so far. Saturnalia, with an outro that caused chills, was one of the most organic instrumental performances within a set which included some backing tracks.

Following this first encore Ville Valo and his band returned with In Trenodia, Right Here in My Arms, Baby Lacrimarium and When Love and Death Embrace. At this point the entire Tavastia was illuminated with white dots coming from the classic disco ball on the ceiling.

What seemed like a farewell became a plea, the applause asking for more convinced Ville, who returned to perform Poison Girl and Vertigo Eyes, which was the least included piece in the tour’s setlist.

Thus, on the night of the 31st he welcomed the New Year in a place full of devotion to an artist who has made this a tradition. Helldone returned from the hand of its creator and it did so in an unbeatable way. VV confirmed that a year after his launch as a soloist he is still capable of summoning not only his loyal followers, but also new victims of his talent and charisma.

Valo’s vocal ability has strengthened in this period, from January to January his confidence is more visible, he is convinced of his decision to go solo. The freedom and autonomy with which he has directed his career has given an air of satisfaction to his face that was no longer noticeable in his last years with HIM.

His audience has also been enjoying the joys of this new era. Ville is receptive to displays of affection and he enjoys making his public sing and dance. He shares the microphone from time to time, he smiles at short and long distances, he greets with his hand or with his fingers raised to the forehead to those fans that he recognizes among that mass and who fervently applaud.

Ville thanked and shared seconds of eye contact to several lucky people and even gave autographs from the stage.

VV is in one of his best moments. Returning Helldone was the best idea and celebrating the New Year with him again has been a good omen for us. We can confirm something: meeting old friends is wonderful and finding ourselves trhough music is always one of the best New Year’s gifts.

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