Pop/jazz Music Student Festival "Arabian Kevät" spring 2026

Sabrina Carpenter Tribute by Alisa Vishniakova is a dive into the world of pop’s new superstar. The concert’s setlist features, among others, hits from the 2024 smash album Short n’ Sweet, such as “Espresso” and “Taste,” as well as singles “Manchild” and “Tears” from the Man’s Best Friend album (2025). The show promises flirtatiously confident and playfully catchy pop music, colored by strong R&B influences, humor, self-irony—and a touch of chaos.

Lineup

• Alisa Vishniakova, lead vocalist
• Karla Lamminheimo, backing vocals
• Riikka Korpi, backing vocals
• Rebecca Ekman, trumpet
• Alex Heikkilä, trumpet
• Veera Aliska, trombone
• Bongsu, alto sax
• Elli Astikainen, keyboards
• Tigo Nguyen, keyboards & backing tracks
• Alex Mikkola, guitar
• Aapeli Hatanpää, bass
• Pauliina Anttila, drums
• Santeri Saari, percussion

Arrangements

• Rebecca Ekman
• Alex Heikkilä
• Aapeli Hatanpää
• Pauliina Anttila

Content Advisory

Please note that some of the songs in the concert feature bold and direct language. Certain pieces approach their themes in an unrestrained style, which may include strong or coarse language.

What happens when both a J-pop cover band and idol dancers take the same stage?! A spectacular show full of anime, game, and Vocaloid music, drama, and much more! On stage, you’ll see the 9-member band Rendaamaton teaming up with the idol dance group First Impact DC. The performance will feature music in both the original Japanese and special Finnish translations.

Artistic team

• artistic design: musicians & dancers
• artistic leadership & overall coordination: Elia Liski
• arrangements & band leader: Kosmi Kotilainen

Musicians

• Elia Liski, vocals & dance (soloist)
• Inka Karppi, vocals & dance
• Kosmi Kotilainen, keys
• Jere Laukkanen, drums
• Leo Lindgren, bass
• Vertti Cederberg, guitar
• Tuittu Koskinen, backing vocals & trumpet
• Timja Aunola, backing vocals & saksophone
• Hugo Haukkamaa, trumpet

Dancers

• Lempi Viirret
• Mima Maunu
• Mio Tammi
• Sumu Pulkki

Maarit Hurmerinta is one of the most prominent singers in Finnish popular music. Her soulful voice, nuanced interpretations, and her body of work drawing from African American and singer-songwriter traditions have resonated with Finnish audiences since the early 1970s. In this concert, Maarit’s music will be interpreted by students from Metropolia. The concert program features works from Maarit’s repertoire, ranging from cover songs (Laakson lilja, Ei vaadi paljon, vain kaiken, Siivet saan) to evergreen hits composed by Sami Hurmerinta (Jäätelökesä, Hymypoika, Jos tahdot tietää), as well as rarely heard gems (Neito ja ylioppilas, Runoilija). Maarit is also strongly present as both a composer and lyricist. Among the leading lyricists of Finnish pop music represented are Heikki Salo, Mikko Kuustonen, Mikko Alatalo and Juice Leskinen.

The students have compiled the program in collaboration with their instructor, drummer Tommi Rautiainen, who has worked with Maarit for many years.

Lineup

• Janina Mäyry, vocals

• Katariina Samela, vocals

• Elmeri Karjalainen, saxophone

• Elvis Rahka, keys

• Joni Rasimus, guitar

• Markus Mäntymaa, bass

• Aaro Kallio, drums & percussion

• Aapo Kantsila, drums & percussion

• Tommi Rautiainen, percussion & backing vocals

Band leader Tommi Rautiainen.

A tribute to the music of composer and bassist Pekka Pohjola! The concert features Pohjola’s compositions – including Impun tango, Space Waltz, and Heavy Jazz – from the repertoire of his long-standing, electric lineup. Among the members of this ensemble was also our concert’s special guest of honor, legendary drummer Anssi Nykänen.

Lineup

• Joni Hartikainen, guitar
• Peik Hietala, guitar
• Jami Alaverronen, keys
• Eero Vehkaluoto, keys
• Aarni Kaivola, bass
• Aarni Tossavainen, bass
• Anssi Nykänen, drums
• Tomi Salesvuo, percussion

Programme

• Flight of the Angel

• Impun tango

• Benjamin

• Space Waltz

• Heavy Jazz

• Melkein

• The Sighting

• Risto

All compositions by Pekka Pohjola.

Generations of musicians meet in the spirit of Finnish jazz! Metropolia music students are joined by trailblazers of Finnish jazz: pianist-composer Olli Ahvenlahti and saxophonist-composer Eero Koivistoinen. Joining them on stage are Metropolia lecturers, trombonist-conductor Antti Rissanen and drummer-bandleader Tomi Salesvuo. The program features works by Ahvenlahti and Koivistoinen – both instrumental and vocal – from the 1970s up to the present day.

The concert is part of the Arabian Kevät pop/jazz student festival organized by Metropolia UAS:

Lineup

• Olli Ahvenlahti, Rhodes
• Eero Koivistoinen, tenorsax
• Veera Aliska, vocals & trombone
• Alex Heikkilä, trumpet
• Tobias Schenk, piano
• Lenni Seebeck, guitar
• Kalle Rinne, guitar
• Aatos Hakkarainen, bass
• Leevi Jämsä, drums
• Tomi Salesvuo, percussion & drums
• Antti Rissanen, trombone

Band leader Tomi Salesvuo.