Movin’ and Groovin’ at Flow and Nokia Factory

I’ll be so sad when the lights go out following Björk’s closing show tonight at the Nokia-sponsored Flow Festival Helsinki. But I already have so many great memories to take home.

As anticipated, The Black Keys (US) put on a righteous show that had me busting moves and belting out the lyrics to my favourite songs, despite the odd looks I received from nearby Finnish listeners.

The rest of Saturday’s performers did their best to amaze as well, from the beautiful voice of Ane Brun (NOR) to the reggae vibes of Horace Andy and Dub Asante (JAM).

I’m normally not much for electronic sounds and DJs but I couldn’t stop dancing at the Mika Snickars (SE) set and was intrigued by the sound combinations of Nicolas Jaar (US). Nokia Lounge made its mark also with seven different DJs mixing way into the night.

With help from friends, I finally had an opportunity to try a selection of the mouth-watering food I’ve smelled all weekend.

Savory cashew chicken from Thai inspired Tamarin, delicious beef masala from Samrat’s Indian selection and, my personal favorite, a perfectly sized hamburger with cole slaw dressing from Grotesk, all hit the spot. Classy food for a music festival, but well received by fans.

Thankfully, my night didn’t end at Flow. Blogging for Nokia has its perks and I was lucky to score wristbands to the ultra-selective Club Lumia and Nokia Factory after-party.

I was a little confused about the concept and names at first, but after a little digging I found that Club Lumia is an event group whose home club is Nokia Factory.

Here’s how it works. Club Lumia announces a competition, kind of like a lottery, every time they throw a party at one of their three clubs, Nokia Factory, Kuudes Linja and Siltanen, all located in a super urban brick building.

If you win wristbands, great! If you don’t, you better have really good friends with the right connections or you probably won’t find your way in.

So last night after the show, I headed a couple blocks away to Nokia Factory. Once I found the entrance, which is tucked away from the prodding eyes of the unworthy, I flashed my wristband and made my way upstairs.

The place was PACKED. The night’s DJs Tensnake and Stop Modernists laid down awesome tracks while A-listers tore up the dance floor.

Beautiful Finnish girls demoed Nokia’s Lumia 900 phone and those fortunate enough to have wristbands sat on comfortable couches and chatted about acts and arts at Flow.

Check out the new Nokia Lumia 900All about our biggest, thinnest smartphone.Soon available worldwide
I stayed as long as my feet would let me, but this body can only take so much dancing and my wallet can only afford so many drinks.

Lucky enough to have wristbands for this evening? Be ready to shake it well into tomorrow.

It’s been really groovy, Helsinki. I’ll be flying off to other great adventures in the morning so let’s make this count. I can’t wait to see you again!

Anna Pope is a student of the world, level 56 music festival patron and volunteer and a candy fanatic who enjoys getting lost in big cities and talking to strangers. She will graduate from university this fall and plans on traveling the world on a shoe string, discovering great new music every step of the way.