Helsinki’s Flow Festival has been drawing huge numbers to the Finnish site, with the likes of Aphex Twin, Lana Del Rey, London Grammar and more all taking to the stage over the weekend. One of the major feature artists we had particularly been interested in seeing perform was, of course, Frank Ocean.
His recent festival sets through America and in Europe have been received positively; the first consistent run of live shows many fans have been able to enjoy from the artist who, up until the release of 2016’s Blonde, remained largely out of the public spotlight. Most certainly offstage.
Chris Singh, currently in Helsinki for the festival, says of Ocean’s on stage demeanour that he exudes a ‘very humble and personable stage presence’, joking and being open with the crowd. During “Be Yourself”, Ocean knelt to play a keyboard at the front of the Island Stage, laughing, “I hate his part, I get really nervous.”
Vocally, Ocean is a strong performer live and it was made evident that he is very particular about each nuance and detail featured in his show. Joined by an orchestra of violinists and roughly four guitarists, it’s clear that Ocean’s comeback to global touring hasn’t been taken with a grain of salt. These shows have been statements of their own.
FRANK OCEAN SET LIST
Pretty Sweet
Solo (Restarted due to sound issues)
Chanel (Restarted due to sound issues)
Lens
Biking (Solo)
Comme des Garçons
Hublots
Forrest Gump
Be Yourself (Instrumental)
Good Guy
Poolside Convo/Self Control
Close to You
Ivy
Pink + White
Thinkin’ Bout You
Thinkin’ Bout You (Remixed with J Dilla’s “Time”)
Pyramids
Nights
Nikes
Stay tuned for more coverage of Flow Festival, still to come!
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