Lenny Kravitz will perform in Helsinki.
Lenny Kravitz loves the connection he makes with his audience. Mark Seliger
American musician Lenny Kravitz will perform at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki on July 22. Not even the artist himself remembers how many times Kravitz, 62, has performed in Finland.
– I don’t know, Kravitz says.
– I’ve been touring for over 30 years, and I’ve been to Finland many times, but I’ve been to some places even more often, Kravitz continues.
“I don’t know”, is a phrase that Kravitz says no less than nine times during the 15-minute remote interview.
For example, when he is asked how much the touring life has changed Kravitz over the years.
– I don’t know. Or maybe my perspective has changed and I am more grateful than before.
Of course Kravitz praises Finland.
– I love coming there to the north, especially during the summer. I don’t like cold weather, but Finland is really beautiful in the summer. The people are cool and laid back, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Hailing from New York, Kravitz’s career got its start in the late ’80s when he produced and was one of Madonna’s Justify My Love – about the authors of the song.
This was followed by a collaboration with Aerosmith and my own song Always on the Runwhich peaked at number two on Billboard.
The combination of rock, funk and soul that came out in 1993 blew up the bank Are You Gonna Go My Way -song, which became number one in the charts around the world.
However, neither of these songs is the one that is most important to Kravitz to play live.
– There are many songs like this, and I usually decide the set list according to the mood. Let Love Rule however, is one that must be present at every gig. The song has my central message, that is, that we are all one and when we sing it, we feel each other’s energies.
Many artists, experienced or not, say they get nervous before a gig. Kravitz doesn’t, he’s calm.
– Nothing moves in my head. I’m an instrument that lets the music lead me, I don’t think about anything.
Lenny Kravitz says he loves performing, making music and being in the studio. It doesn’t matter if the venue is an intimate club or a gigantic stadium. Mark Seliger
Kravitz has performed around the world, but not in all the places he’d like.
– I have performed in South Africa, but I would like to perform in other parts of Africa as well. And I have always dreamed of a concert in Vietnam. My father was a journalist, and he worked in Vietnam in the late 60s.
When asked what is the craziest thing that has happened at a concert, Kravitz can’t give an answer.
– My whole life is crazy. I get to do what I love to do and have been doing this for a long time. My life is crazy, awesome, beautiful. All this stuff I do is crazy and I’m grateful for it.
Lenny Kravitz at the Veikkaus arena on 22.7.