The notorious cult band Circle arrives at ALICE this autumn. With more than 35 years of activity and nearly 50 albums under their belt, they are in peak form. Most recently, they released Henki in collaboration with Richard Dawson on Weird World. Expect a live show that is at once intense, entertaining, glittering and exceptionally well-played when the Finnish legends take the stage in September with a set ranging from krautrock to glam. Circle’s own Janne Westerlund will open the night.

“The world’s best band – all categories.” – Dagens Nyheter

It really can be said that simply about Circle – the Finnish experimental rock band that for more than three decades has taken audiences on a wild ride through an eclectic and splintered mix of krautrock, heavy metal, progressive rock, medieval ballads, glam and opera. Circle was founded in Pori, Finland, in 1991 by bassist and vocalist Jussi Lehtisalo, who remains the band’s only original member. At the time, the Finnish rock scene was booming, but Circle refused to follow the trend. Rather than squeezing themselves into a marketable genre box, they stayed far ahead of their time. Already on their debut album Meronia, they presented a sound that evoked acid techno and dream pop, accompanied by lyrics in an invented language.

More than thirty years, countless line-up changes and nearly 50 (!) albums later, Circle have earned the recognition they so richly deserve. Highlights include numerous releases on the legendary Southern Lord label, countless concerts, a long list of film soundtracks and, most recently, Henki (2021), created together with English musician Richard Dawson and released on the influential Weird World label. Above all, Circle are renowned for their fantastic, colourful and glitter-soaked live performances, which are at once theatrical, entertaining and humorous, yet also powerful, razor-sharp and impeccably executed. When Circle takes over the stage at ALICE, it marks a welcome return after a longer absence. Make no mistake – expect a band at the height of its powers and a legendary evening with the Finnish cult band this September.

Janne Westerlund
As the guitarist of Circle since 2001, Janne Westerlund is a true veteran of the Finnish underground scene. But alongside his krautrock and prog-inflected guitar explorations in the cult band, Westerlund has maintained a solo project on the side, with six critically acclaimed albums to his name. Drawing inspiration from early blues, folk and traditional Finnish melodies, his music moves from contemplative sensitivity to striking force, at times reaching intense, almost cathartic peaks in a live setting. For his ALICE concert, Westerlund has selected songs from both his English- and Finnish-language repertoire, performing them with Appalachian dulcimer and electric guitar.