Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae Night

“Sunshine Reggae” Legends Laid Back to Perform at Finlandia Hall for the First Time

A historic evening in Helsinki: the legendary Danish duo brings to Finlandia Hall the hits that have travelled the world for more than four decades.

 On 16 October 2026, Finlandia Hall in Helsinki will host a special concert evening as the legendary Danish group Laid Back takes the stage at Finlandia Hall for the first time. Their songs “Sunshine Reggae,” “White Horse” and “Bakerman” have been part of Europe’s musical memory for decades. They have been played on the radio, in clubs, at festivals, in films, on summer nights and on road trips — wherever music has made people smile, move and forget the rush of everyday life for a moment.

The concert at Finlandia Hall is not simply a nostalgic journey back to the sound of the 1980s and 1990s. It is a rare live encounter with a band whose music still sounds instantly recognizable, free-spirited and timeless from the very first notes.

Laid Back’s sound has always carried a distinctive mood: electronic minimalism, the lightness of reggae rhythms, hypnotic vocals and a relaxed energy that is impossible to imitate. This is what has made the Danish duo’s songs more than just a collection of hits — they have become a soundtrack to summer, freedom and good feeling.

“Sunshine Reggae,” “White Horse” and “Bakerman” are not just well-known tracks. They are songs that have crossed eras, genres and generations. Now the Finnish audience will have the chance to experience them live on the stage of Finlandia Hall. Laid Back’s vocalist and one of the band’s key songwriters, John Guldberg, has said that the band has never tried to follow passing trends. “We have never tried to be trendy. Maybe that is exactly why our music sounds as fresh today as it did back then,” says Guldberg. According to him, the strength of Laid Back’s music has always been its simplicity. “For us, the most important thing is the feeling. When a song has the right feeling, it does not need to be over-explained or over-produced. People understand it immediately — no matter whatcountry they live in or what language they speak,” Guldberg explains.

Tim Stahl, the other architect of the band’s unmistakable sound, has recalled that some of Laid Back’s biggest hits were born completely unexpectedly. “‘Sunshine Reggae’ was never planned as a hit. It was a mood, a moment, an atmosphere. Sometimes the best things happen when you do not plan them,” says Stahl.

That sense of the unexpected has followed Laid Back throughout their career. The band has never wanted to sound like everyone else. When the music started to feel too complicated, they made it simpler. Sometimes one right bassline, rhythm or phrase can be stronger than ten big ideas at once. Over more than four decades, Laid Back has preserved a rare musical secret: how to create something simple yet unforgettable. Their songs do not need grand gestures or excessive production. A few chords, a light rhythm and a recognizable voice are enough — and a sound is born that does not grow old.

The concert is made even more special by its historic nature: Laid Back will perform at Finlandia Hall for the first time. It is a rare opportunity to hear live a band whose music belongs to the personal soundtrack of many Finnish listeners and audiences across Europe. According to Guldberg, first encounters with a new audience are always special.

“We have always enjoyed performing in places where the audience meets our music almost as if for the first time again. A first concert in a new place is always special — you never know in advance what kind of energy will appear in the hall, and that is exactly what makes the evening exciting,” he says.

Tim Stahl adds that the concert is not meant to be only a look back into the past. “Of course, we will play the songs people are waiting for. But we do not want the evening to be just about memories. These songs come alive again every time we play them on stage. Every audience gives them new energy,” says Stahl.

The Helsinki concert promises both nostalgia and fresh emotion. The audience will hear the original hits as well as new live versions of familiar songs. Some surprises will be left for the concert evening itself. “Laid Back” is not only the name of the band. It is also a feeling — relaxation, freedom, a smile and a moment when music makes time stand still.

This concert is for those who remember hearing “Sunshine Reggae” for the first time. It is also for those who discovered Laid Back later — on vinyl, on the radio, on YouTube, at parties or in their parents’ record collections. At Finlandia Hall, past and present will meet in one room.

One thing is certain: on 16 October 2026, Finlandia Hall will be filled with music that does not rush, does not force itself and does not grow old. 

This is Laid Back — a feeling that cannot be created artificially. It can only be experienced.

Laid Back – for the first time at Finlandia Hall

facebook event

---

Åldersgräns: Ingen åldersgräns
Tid: Dörrar kl. 18:00
Showtime 19:00

Duration: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes.

Accessibility:

The assistant must purchase their own ticket for the concert.
The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.
An accessible toilet is available at the venue.
An induction loop is available at the venue.

Wheelchair spaces are located on the A entrance platform and the B entrance platform in the stalls area. A seat for an assistant is reserved next to each wheelchair space. If you do not require a wheelchair space but need a seat for an assistant, please contact Tiketti Customer Service.

Försäljningen slutar 16.10.2026 18:00.