Tarja is “Living the dream – together” with Marko Hietala at the sold out ANKER, Leipzig, Germany, supported by Chaoseum

On the evening of September 12th, 2024, a long line formed in front of the concert hall ANKER in the northern part of Leipzig. The phenomenal Tarja, along with her former and equally brilliant bandmate and friend Marko Hietala, graced the stage. Both musicians are pursuing highly successful solo careers and continue to steal the hearts of their fans around the globe.

Exceptional artist Tarja invited her audience on a journey through 15 years of her solo career. Nearly 1,300 people answered her call, celebrating together in a sold-out concert hall the magnificent songs of the Finnish singer.

After a grandiose opening by the Swiss band Chaoseum, Marko Hietala took the stage around 8:00 p.m. to thunderous applause — in great spirits, with an outstanding voice and incredible stage presence…it’s such a joy to experience him like this!

And he delivers a show that captivates the audience. The setlist includes hits from his solo album “Pyre Of The Black Heart” and his gripping new single “Frankenstein’s Wife,” which was released just a few days ago.

With “Rebel Of The North,” he introduced a new song, proving he knows exactly how to impress with his music. Hietala‘s songs are excellently written. They linger in your mind, make you think, bring a smile to your face and are simply a great musical delight!

And, of course, the charismatic singer presented the single “Left On Mars,” which he performed with Tarja, delivering it powerfully to the audience, who have followed him and his music with devotion.

Before starting the final song of his setlist, a cover of Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs,” Mr. Hietala gave a passionate and fiery speech for peace and the world. An incredibly likable and outstanding musician and human stands there on that stage!

Setlist Marko Hietala:
Star, Sand & Shadow
Dead God’s Son
Isäni Ääni
For You
Rebel Of The North
Frankenstein’s Wife
Proud Whore
Juoksen Rautateitä
Left On Mars (feat. Tarja)
Stones
War Pigs (Black Sabbath Cover)

…and around 9:30 p.m. the moment has come, the lights dim in the sold out concert hall and the charismatic Finnish treasure Tarja enters the stage, enchants the audience with her unique charming personality and phenomenal classically trained voice. And how she shines and owns the stage!

And so the extraordinary journey starts through 15 years of her musical career with her latest hit, Eye Of The Storm. Energetically, she commands the stage within seconds and makes her audience fall in love with her over and over again. The crowd hangs on her every word, knowing all the lyrics by heart!

After her first song, the mood in the hall is already electrified, and the audience can barely wait for the next tracks. But they’ll have to wait a bit longer! Tarja has spotted a little girl in the front row who is now invited to the stage to be up close to her favorite singer. It’s a wonderful moment that the young fan will surely cherish forever.

…and then, the journey continues: Tarja takes her audience on a musical trip down memory lane through her albums “My Winter Storm,” “What Lies Beneath,” “Colours In The Dark,” “The Shadow Self” and “In The Raw.” The exceptional singer, songwriter and composer with the stunning soprano proves once again why she is considered one of the greatest stars in the metal and music scene.

…and then, there is only she and the piano and she shares the story behind “Oasis“, the first song she ever wrote, letting the gentle piano notes fill the room. The hall is quiet. The fans are enchanted by the delicate melody and her breathtaking voice, which brings tears to the eyes of so many people.

After “Shadow Play,” from her album “In The Raw,” Marko Hietala returns to the stage amidst great applause. Together with the fans, they indulge in memories of their time with Nightwish, and the audience thanks them for this nostalgic journey with loud applause: “Dead To The World,” “Planet Hell” and “Wish I Had An Angel.”

What a show highlight, what fantastic and magnificent musicians are on that stage and how wonderful is this shared journey!

As the evening comes to an end with “Until My Last Breath,” the audience is reluctant to let the enchanting singer leave the stage. It quickly becomes clear: “The Eye Of The Storm” is indeed the one and only Ms. Tarja Turunen!

Setlist Tarja:
Eye Of The Storm
Demons In You
Falling Awake
Die Alive
I Feel Immortal
Oasis (Tarja only)
Shadow Play (with band solo)
Dead To The World (Nightwish song feat. Marko Hietala)
Dark Star (feat. Marko Hietala)
Dead Promises (feat. Marko Hietala)
Planet Hell (Nightwish song feat. Marko Hietala)
I Walk Alone
Victim Of Ritual

Encore
Wish I Had An Angel (Nightwish song feat. Marko Hietala)
Until My Last Breath