Diversity is the word that best describes the Rovaniemi music scene. Considering its small number of residents, Rovaniemi is a very lively town for
music. In addition to the European Union’s northermost professional orchestra,
the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland, the town is home to dozens of choirs, bands and artists of different styles.
Rock music has an extremely solid interest base; and a large number of bands are active in the town. A special feature of the local rock bands is their ability to combine different stylistic tendencies, at the same time as creating new kinds of sounds, instead of the normal output of this most hackneyed of genres.
Bands and artists from Rovaniemi have also risen to national prominence. Of those, the most active include Absoluuttinen Nollapiste, Desert Planet and Bleak, Idols star Antti Tuisku and 2006 Eurovision winners Lordi.
Rovaniemi’s best known live music events are Simerock and the dance and music festival Jutajaiset. Every week, live music can be enjoyed at such venues as Pohjanhovi, Cafe Tivoli, Comico, Grande, Irish Times, Legenda and Kellari. Twice a year, the music section at the Regional Library of Lapland organises a ’Library Rock’ event where young talents can perform. This event has been acting as a springboard for bands for more than 15 years.
The better known choirs from Rovaniemi are the ’Seitakuoro’chamber choir, the ’Lapin Lauluveikot’ male voice choir and the ’Naiskuoro Lapin Ruska’ ladies’choir. Other singing groups include the Belcanto Quartet, Con Pollo from the University of Lapland and Lauluryhmä Ave. The Rovaniemi Big Band is a brass band of enthusiasts but seasoned with professionals. The Lapland Military Band is a professional orchestra belonging to the Finnish Defence Forces and performs regulary.
Rimpparemmi, the folk dance group of Lapland province, Siepakat, a folklore dance and music group, and world music band, Kumipäivä, represent the Rovaniemi traditions of folk music and dance.