A talent that never wanes – report of Kai Hahto’s “Alone” tour in Vienna 06.04

There are certain albums that are life-changing. There are some songs that can get people through dark periods in their lives and give them hope for a better tomorrow. For me, that album is “Time II” by Wintersun, so when their spectacular drummer Kai Hahto announced an European tour playing tracks from all of his bands, I couldn’t miss it for the world. So, I took it upon myself to travel to Vienna, Austria, and see this talented artist in front of my eyes. The venue, B72, was cozy yet comfortable, with a raised floor that gave multiple vantage points.

The show was supposed to start at 8 PM, and so it did. Walking through the audience, Kai steps on stage among cheers from the crowd. And we’re instantly blown away by how incredibly skilled he is: without skipping a single beat, Kai plays songs from Nightwish, Auri, Swallow The Sun, Wintersun and a few surprises too, that I don’t want to spoil because you really need to see it with your eyes, and listen to it with your ears.

He also mentioned a few funny anecdotes of tour life, and the audience eagerly reacted with laughs or applause. There aren’t many other words to describe how fast time passed by when he was on stage (pun not intended!). As it happens, talent runs in the Hahto family blood, because we’re also delighted by a performance of his son Joonatan, that I’m afraid to say, in a few years, he’ll be as proficient as his dad.

Well, until Kai decides to hang his drumsticks on the wall (which I sincerely hope will be as late as humanly possible), I think his job is pretty safe. What a remarkable entertainer, an artist who goes beyond the simple performer and encompasses multiple spheres of what the job entails.

Not only did he play for almost two hours straight, but then Kai took the time to have a chat with his fans, which shows how grateful and passionate this man is for his craft. So, what are you doing still here reading?! Get your tickets to see Kai‘s “Alone” tour before it’s over!