The Manserock culture route comes to life on video – a new documentary takes viewers to the roots of the phenomenon and its unique stories
A city that became a laboratory for rock
The documentary returns to a time when Tampere rock rose to national prominence in Finland during the 1970s. Behind the phenomenon were an open-minded student audience, an active rock press, Epe’s Music Shop, skilled booking agents and concert promoters, as well as YLE TV2’s Iltatähti, which brought music to a wider audience.
Record labels such as Love Records and later Poko Rekords strengthened the position of Tampere rock. The term “Manserock” originated in 1975 from a joint summer tour by two popular Tampere bands – but the Manserock phenomenon only became an established concept later.
A culture route full of music and memories
The video documentary is structured as a concrete urban culture route from Kaleva to the city centre. Along the way, key figures and contributors share their memories:
- On Sammonkatu, voices include Epe Helenius, Asko Alanen and Atte Blom
- Mikko Alatalo reflects on his early creative work with Juice Leskinen at the Domus student residence
- Masi Luoma recalls the major impact of the Hair musical performed at Sampola on a young musician
- Drummer Kari Holm recounts what happened when he broke his mother’s sauna buckets
- Kaseva founding member Nipa reveals the Kaleva location of the song “Stripteasetanssija” and the first name of the dancer
- Actor-singer Ilkka A. Jokinen washes Juice’s dishes at Tuominen’s stone wall
- The significance of Lindell Studio in Kyttälä to Manserock is brought to light
The route also includes stops such as the 1970s YO-talo, where the first wave of Manserock began to take shape, and I-klubi, where punk later shifted the direction of Tampere musicians.
A dialogue between generations
The documentary brings together the memories of contemporaries and interpretations by a younger generation. It not only looks back, but also reflects on what Manserock means today. The question remains: is it about a particular era, an attitude, or an evolving cultural legacy?
“The Manserock video documentary is part of a larger work of art. It highlights new and forgotten aspects of Manserock history from the 1970s. It brings together music, memories and a route through which visitors can discover new experiences in time and place. Music – and especially Finnish song lyrics – acts as the unifying element,” says Heikki Mäenpää, the documentary’s executive producer.
Dedicated to
The memory of Jukka Törmä, Heikki Silvennoinen and Pauli “Pate” Mustajärvi, as well as all Manserock contributors of the 1970s.
Credits
Cinematography and editing: Teemu Keskinen
Interviews: Heikki Mäenpää / Harjula Production Ltd.
Screenplay: Heikki Mäenpää / Harjula Production Ltd., VJ Salonen
Production: Heikki Mäenpää / Harjula Production Ltd., VJ Salonen, Ulla Majamaa, Teemu Keskinen
Executive producer: Heikki Mäenpää / Harjula Production Ltd.
Images: Vapriikki photo archives, Mika Kanerva, Timo Nummi, private archives of Mikko Alatalo, Heikki Mäenpää and VJ Salonen
Graphics: Noora Federley
Music
Arkea ja Unelmia (composed, written and arranged by Heikki Mäenpää; performed by Heikki Mäenpää & Digiveikot, Harjula Music 2026)
Acknowledgements
Atte Blom, Asko Alanen, Epe Helenius, Tapio Korjus, Mikko Alatalo, Harri Rinne, Pena Penninkilampi, Kari Holm, Juuso Nordlund, Nils Jokela, Jouko Järvinen, Junne Rautiainen, Seppo Tammilehto, Jyrki Siukonen, Masi Luoma, Ilkka A. Jokinen, Matti Palmutie, Anton Äikäs, Kari Luomaharju, Toni Lähteenmäki, Vesa Kontiainen, Jouko Karppanen, Miku Puro, Harri Valoma, Kimmo Torkkeli, Jussi Lähde, Tommi Kekoni, Risto Lehtinen, Antti Immonen, Jussi-Heikki Mäenpää, Antti Pursiainen, Marianne Luoma, Tommi Sirviö, Kiti Saarinen, Juhani Koivisto, Suvi Harju, Saarni Säilynoja, Teemu Ahola, Annele Isomäki, Eeva Majalahti, Digiveikot, Coitus Int Revival and the members of Kaseva
More information about this and other culture routes is available at tampere.fi/kulttuuriraitit. Printed culture route brochures are available at Culture House Laikku (Keskustori 4), and culture route videos can be viewed on the Kulttuuri Tampere YouTube channel.
