Thaïs Parvez
There are live music experiences that go far beyond a standard setlist, transforming the venue into a time capsule of pure emotion.
It has been years since the Finnish alternative rock icons The Rasmus last set foot in Spain, but their highly anticipated return to Barcelona on July 2nd proved that time has not diminished the deep bond they share with their local fan base.
But before the distortion took over, we had the luxury of sitting down with Lauri Ylönen, rocking a sleeveless Metallica hoodie, and Emppu Suhonen, who kept it fun and casual in a black t-shirt featuring a cat, right before the show, thanks to Kinda Agency.
In a Hot BuZz (Mag) exclusive, the duo opened the doors to their personal universe, discussing the deeper, inclusive meaning behind their latest album “Weirdo,” the creative evolution of this new era, their favorite touring memories, their dream collaborations, and an unforgettable story about finding peace on a local beach years ago.
Check out the full interview below.
The Rasmus: The ultimate symphony of shadows and anthems in Barcelona
Long before the doors of Sala Apolo, Barcelona, even opened, the dedication of the crowd was on full display, with fans waiting outside for hours in the summer heat just to secure a spot at the barricade.
Proving exactly why they remain one of the most beloved bands in the alternative scene, The Rasmus showed just how incredibly down-to-earth and welcoming they are.
Instead of staying hidden backstage, the band came out to greet the waiting crowd. They spent time talking intimately with fans, sharing laughs, and taking photos, cementing a deeply personal connection before a single note was even played.
When they finally hit the stage, their style was effortlessly cool and authentic to their rock roots.
Stepping into the venue, the air was immediately thick with a beautiful sense of emo nostalgia, wrapped in a dark, brooding, yet undeniably welcoming atmosphere.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a gathering of a dedicated community, a cross-generational ritual where the gloomy aesthetics of the early 2000s met a warm, collective embrace.
The crowd that filled Sala Apolo was a great reflection of the band’s enduring legacy: a beautifully mixed-age audience. Side by side stood the die-hard fans who had lined their walls with posters during the peak of the 2000s MTV era, next to a younger generation of listeners experiencing the band’s live magic for the very first time.
No matter the age, everyone in the room was entirely, unapologetically into it from the very first chord.
The Rasmus delivered a massive, career-spanning +10-song setlist that perfectly balanced the heavy artillery of their historic anthems with fresh material.
Launching into the evening with Break These Chains, they quickly reminded everyone why they dominated the charts, unleashing massive crowd-pleasers like Guilty, No Fear, and Justify.
The middle of the set kept the emotion raw with beautiful performances of October & April and First Day of My Life, leading into a heavy-hitting run of alternative staples like F-F-F-Falling and Livin’ in a World Without You.
By the time they reached In the Shadows and one of their latest singles, Weirdo, the venue was in a state of absolute euphoria.
As Lauri perfectly highlighted to the crowd, being a “Weirdo” is something to celebrate; it’s an anthem for anyone who feels a bit different but finds their rightful place within a welcoming, accepting community. That sentiment resonated deeply, perfectly capturing the inclusive, united spirit of the entire night.
What truly elevated the show was the staggering level of crowd interaction. The connection between the stage and the floor was instantaneous and deeply heartfelt.
Lauri proved that he is one of the most charismatic frontmen in the alternative scene, constantly chatting, dancing, and feeding off the room’s high-octane energy.
At one point in the evening, he tapped into the local buzz by playfully announcing to the crowd that Spain had just scored the opening goal, putting them 1-0 ahead in their World Cup match being played simultaneously.
Later in the set, Lauri shared a beautiful, intimate story with the audience, the very same story he had recently shared exclusively during his sit-down interview with Hot BuZz (Mag).
He reminisced warmly about a trip to Barcelona years ago, recounting how he had taken his guitar down to the local beach just to play music by the water. He described the memory as incredibly relaxed and peaceful, a personal moment of zen that made his return to the city feel like a genuine homecoming.
As the show reached its absolute fever pitch during the encore, which featured the hauntingly beautiful Sail Away and closed out with Love Is a Bitch, the band threw all traditional concert boundaries out the window.
Eero Heinonen, the band’s bassist, caught everyone completely off guard by diving straight off the stage, crowdsurfing across a sea of upraised hands. It was a moment of pure rock-and-roll catharsis that perfectly mirrored the wild, uninhibited joy of the fans.
Barcelona was just the beginning of their heavy takeover of Spain. Following this unforgettable night, The Rasmus headed to Madrid to keep the momentum rolling before bringing their dark rock energy to the massive stages of Resurrection Festival.
By the time the final notes faded, it was irrefutable proof that the dark, emotional wave of the 2000s remains as visceral and alive as ever.
The Rasmus didn’t just play a gig; they delivered a masterclass in attitude, showmanship, and emotional connection. Barcelona roared, the Finnish legends delivered, and everyone left the venue with the collective high of a night that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
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