A Daytime Metallica Show | Day 17

It is nice that Helsinki will be a longer stay. This last week and a half has been non stop travel and exploration it is nice to have a few days to just be somewhere. Likewise laundry is getting desperate. Mentioning that this hotel has more of a dorm room vibe they have laundry machines downstairs which is incredibly lucky. Granted it was a Ritz Carlton but when we were working in Dallas and did laundry it was $250 to wash a few pairs of pants, boxers, shirts, hoodies. Will venture down in a little and see how much they are charging for the machines. Besides the Metallica show in the evening, I will take today to do some of those boring chores.

When I woke up I was greeted with an email from Finland Air stating that they had found a “dangerous item” in my bag and I needed to fill out a form in order for them to send it to me. Day hadn’t even started and was already aggravated. The email didn’t mention what that item was just that it had to be disposed of. I promptly emailed them back saying that they had to disclose what that item was. It could only be a few things but none of which were “cheap” items. In order to take my drone I need to carry on all of the batteries that go with it so there is a possibility that I left one in the bag on accident. Likewise they could claim it was the battery grip for the Ronin gimbal that I brought. The drone batteries are $190 a pop and the battery handle makes that $1700 gimbal useless. While I waited for the response I got my shower and performed those morning ablutions. By the time I got ready the response was in my inbox. It had said that they found a Powerbank portable battery. The roller bag has a pocket for a battery backup that plugs in to the bag and you can plug a USB cable in to the hardshell. I didn’t think to remove that and that is what they flagged. Not the end of the world I suppose but it still cost $50. A perceived good deed cost me actual money again and I can safely say I will never be releasing that bag unless they tell me I have no other option. I filled out the form and sent it back making sure that that in fact was the only item being discarded. I hadn’t unloaded my suitcase because I needed to do laundry so that was the next activity on the list.

I headed down with my bag and was shown where the laundry room was. They have 5 small size washers and 5 small dryers. I had enough clothes that I took up two of the machines but none of the others were in use so was good to go. I piled all my stuff in and went to the panel on the wall. Was pretty cool actually. You started the screen and then selected which washer, or dryer, you were using and then set the type of wash, or drying, and give it your card. The price was pretty reasonable to. It was $4.90 per wash, or dry. I could live with that and even doing basic math I knew I was coming out way further ahead but not doing hotel dry cleaning. I set both the washers and it said they would take an hour so I retreated to my room. I am a good bit behind on retouching and entries so the down time was perfect. I typed and retouched away for the hour and returned to the laundry room to change over the clothes. When I got there none of the other machines were in use still so I suppose laundry wasn’t a popular activity on Friday afternoons haha. I moved the clothes over and went through the same process on the screen and I assumed that it would take an hour even though it didn’t display the time on the dryer. Back to the room I went to continue working. Not getting a sandwich the last week and a half there was a 24hr grocery store just down the street and thought possibly they had pre-packaged sandwiches. I had some time so I walked over to the market and luckily enough they had a salami and roast beef pre-packaged sandwich. I grabbed one of those, a soda, and a Redbull. They have self checkout stations like in the states but when you leave that area they make you scan your receipt to make sure you aren’t stealing. Pretty smart actually and keeps people honest. It was pretty chilly outside so the walk was nice. Quite a few people were out walking or waiting for the bus or metro. I made the 5 minute walk back to the hotel and checked on the clothes which were still drying away. Headed back to the room to have a lunch date with my computer. I gave it another 30 minutes and then went to check on the drying. I kind of assumed that the size of the dryer might not get it done in one shot and I was right. Since it was just an extra dry I consolidated all the clothes in to one dryer and restarted the machine. In total the washing and drying cost $24.50 which was a screamin deal if you ask me. I returned to the room to finish up some work and feel like I at least got a few things accomplished. Finally I returned, folded, and repacked my clothes and returned to the room to get ready for the concert.

Like all of the other shows you get there a bit early to check in at the Enhanced Experiences tent and receive your band and ticket. Clothes were on and I went to grab my pass when a sinking feeling came over me. I just realized that in the roller bag that had been held back in Vienna held my pass! I flipped the f*ck out. It never occurred to me that I didn’t take it out until just now. I didn’t know what to do except try and find any type of help line through the Metallica Pass site. I first checked the email that they send the info about where the tent is and check in times. At the very bottom there was a link relating to questions about your pass. I clicked on that and started reading. Mid way through they was another link that said “If you have an urgent need please send us an email or text via this link.” I quickly clicked on that and it tried to take me to Whatsapp. I didn’t have Whatsapp on my computer so I repeated the steps on my phone and fired off a text explaining that my bad had been held up, it carried my pass, and what, if anything, could I do to pick up my ticket this evening. I didn’t know how quickly they would respond but in the meantime I grabbed my passport and would head to the tent hoping that was enough to prove that I owned a pass. Just before I walked out of the door my phone lit up with a message from Whatsapp. It was the pass help folks and they said that they were sorry to hear about the baggage issue but a passport would be sufficient and not to worry. Gotta tell you I was incredibly relieved. Disaster averted but I know how things work and until my ticket was in my hand anything could happen. I headed out the door and followed the instructions on the map.

I rounded the corner down the street from the hotel to find 30 or so people all waiting for the same transport. It took me a moment to realize that it wasn’t the metro but a city bus. The 502 bus arrived a few minutes early and I saw some people show the bus driver something on his phone but then others were just filling in so I just got on and no questions were asked. The bus ride was about 20 minutes and only made an additional stop or two. We saw the stadium approaching and then pass by. Some people, possibly including me, that we would be dropped off in front of the stadium but in reality it kept going about 2 blocks past. We all piled off the bus and I checked the directions for the where the checkin tent was. Luckily enough it was on the side of the stadium that the bus had dropped us off on. I made way through the sea of people and walked up to the tent. The nice kid behind the desk was bummed about my baggage issue but my passport was just fine and he said he had my ticket and wristband right here. I told him thank you a million times! With that BS behind me a beer was much much needed. I was a bit early and Mammoth hadn’t even started so I noticed there was a beer garden just on the other side of the street. It was packed and they had all kinds of tents including a bbq spot, a local beer tent, and a Tangueray gin station. I walked over and got myself one of the local hazy ipas and found a spot to sit. There was music playing and the weather was nice so just sat and enjoyed my beer. Knowing there was no press to get in to the stadium that early decided why the heck not have another one haha. The girl behind the bar had helped me the first time and we chatted just for a few but was holding up the line so found a hightop this time and stood. Some promo people came around asking if anyone wanted to buy shots of Jagermeister, which nomrally I would say “HELL YA,” but wasn’t that kind of event. Wrapped up my beers and ventured toward the stadium. The stadium is pretty rad. It is for sure different than the one in Munich in that the design is a lot more minimal. It has a white base with ribbed dark brown top and flags surrounding it. On one side there is a large tower that stands 238.5ft which, fun fact, is the exact distance that Finnish javelin olympian Matti Jarvinen threw to win gold in the 1934 Olympics. They constructed the tower that height to commemorate his achievement.

As I walked through the gate the lady on the other side handed me another floor wristband. I tried to tell her that I had one already but she told me to just take it anyway haha. Since I had another floor bad I didn’t want to see it go to waste. As I walked around the main level of the stadium I kept and eye out for someone who I could give it to. I didn’t just want to give it to anyone but rather maybe a teenager or just someone that it would really make their time. I searched and searched and finally found a kid maybe about 14 who was with his family and others. There were enough in the group that it might not be like he was going to abandon them so I approached them. I explained how I got the extra band and if he, and his folks were cool with it, he was welcome to have it. They talked about it a second but then said that they appreciated it but they were ok. I said, “No problem at all!” and kept moving. I found my way to the floor entrance and showed them my band and walked on to the track. They had some pieces of track laid down on the outskirts of the floor. I highly doubt it was left over from Olympics but was cool to step foot on that spongey track surface. The Architects were just starting their set. With Helsinki being far enough North there are 23.5 hours of light in the summer, thus leaving half of the stadium in direct sunlight. I didn’t have any sunnies with me so figure no need to stand in the sun so made my way to the opposite side of the stage. The Architects killed it and the crowd for sure responded well to them. It is a bit tough as the warm up bands on Sunday are bit more well known the seats weren’t all that filled but still a solid amount of people. After they had finished I thought to take a walk and see if I could see anyone else who would be a good candidate for the extra band. I roamed up and back but just couldn’t spot anyone that I wanted to give it to so I headed for the beer garden. I ordered a beer and went to head back to my standing spot but the security guard stopped me. Apparently if you want to have a beer you have to stay on the outside circle. That threw a bit of a monkey wrench in my plan but was what it was so I stood there are had my beer a bit quicker than I wanted to. With beer finished was time to hopefully make my way back to the standing spot I had earlier. As I walked down the stairs to the floor there was a kid about 15 that was sitting just about the floor. I didn’t want to seem weird so I asked the security guard if it was ok to attempt to give him the wristband. I knew it was but I could see how it would look me just chatting with someone in a seat and handing them a band. She said that was no problem so I approached them. I asked but he said that he would rather sit with his parents. Again no problem at all and just put it back in my pocket. I worked my way back and ended up just a few people from the front.

Always a cast of characters at these shows haha. A lot of custom jackets sporting all kinds of Metallica and other band patches, black boots, tattoos, and piercings. I would say I am the most “tame” in regards to outward metal appearance. The kids next to me wanted to chat and they were cool. Onni was from Finland and him and his mates had come in from their city to see the show. They had gotten an airbnb not to far from the stadium so were able to just walk over. They gave me a few recommendations of what to go and see with my time off. We chatted away until the start of the show. They had never seen Metallica before so their excitement level was off the chart. When I say there is a cast of characters I wasn’t lying. There was a dude maybe in is 50s that for sure had to much beer or maybe something else and he was just getting after it. He kept putting his arm on the dude in front of us before that guy had had enough. He turned around and shouted at him telling him to don’t f*cking touch him! The dude only took that so well and then started to mock him by rubbing his jacket on him and looking at me like I was going to defend him. What a clown. The night’s setlist had a few either tour debuts or at least very rarely played songs which made it awesome! The drunk dude seemed to have his head down just holding on haha so I attempted to snap a photo. I was discovered and captured this incredible portrait haha! The show raged on and so did the light. It was a first to see Metallica in an outdoor venue with complete daylight out. We all rocked on and at last the show came to an end. Picks were thrown out which ya boy got another one! As everyone started to file out I saw one of the photographers, Brett, who I had met back in Detroit last year. I said his name and he looked over and I said it was great meeting him back in Hawaii to which he replied, “ohh ya you’re a photographer.” We chatted for a little while and he said that he had his girl with him for this and the next stop but possibly in Warsaw or Madrid could grab a beer and talk shop. Was really cool running in to him and nice to see a familiar face. I made my way toward the exit and thought to find a pub like usual and wait for the crowd to thin out. When I exited out the way I entered the line for checked bags was INSANITY!!!! I would estimate that there were about 350/400 people in line and it started at the bag check tent, went all the way to the entry gate, and then coiled around itself twice. Just doing some basic math if it took 30 seconds for each person to show their ticket and collect their bag that means the person at the end of the line would wait 3.3hrs!! Who knows if they really waited that long but when I stood in the middle of that circle line it wasn’t moving all that fast if at all. What are those people going to do too? I mean they can’t abandon their backpacks so they are stuck in that line till the bitter end. Nightmare haha.

I found a pub just across the street from the stadium and by the time I got in I looked at my phone and was already almost mid night. I tell you, and I have said it a few times, the staying light thing is a real trip. Psychologically you feel more awake and ready to go out and do something even though it is midnight or later. I made an adult decision and decided to call it an evening. The metro is incredibly easy and only need to take two trains to get back to my hotel. As quickly as I said that to myself I was standing at the side of the stop going in the wrong direction. I saw the train coming and realized me error and then started running. Just to spite me I got to the train and hit the door open button but was to late and the train pulled away. That’s what I get for thinking I knew how to navigate the rails perfectly. I waited the 9 minutes till the next one came around. Boarded that and rode it all of two stops and then got off to wait for the next train I need. It happened to be right behind the train I just got off of so hopped on that and rode it the 7 stops back to the hotel. It dropped me off in front of the 24 hour market so ran inside and grabbed a soda, snickers, and because they forced me an ice cream bar. With goodies in hand I walked the 5 minutes up the hill to the hotel and called it a night. There wasn’t much on my “to see” list so might take the morning to do computer work and then hopefully go shoot around the city tomorrow. There is also a tribute band playing so we will see what the day holds.