There are concerts you expect to see, and then there are those you never even dare to dream of. Tarja Turunen and Marko Hietala together on the same stage fell into the latter category—something I never thought I’d witness. The history, the chemistry, the sheer significance of this reunion—it was a moment that felt almost surreal. I’ve been a big Tarja fan for years—in fact, I used to be the president of the Romanian fan club. Not that there’s much of a fan club left these days, which has a lot to do with her management, but that’s a story for another time. Having seen Tarja live sixteen times, I have a solid basis for comparison, and this show was one for the books. This time around, she shared the stage with Marko Hietala, and the result was a show filled with highs, lows, and some unforgettable moments.
The evening kicked off with Symphonity, and I have to say, they were one of the best opening acts Tarja has had. Now, that isn’t saying much if I’m being honest—her opening acts are usually pay-to-play and, well… not great. That being said, Symphonity delivered a solid performance in a genre (power metal) that I personally don’t enjoy much. So, while my bias is there, I still recognize they were a good band and a significant step up from most of Tarja’s previous openers.
Marko Hietala followed with his set, and since I had recently reviewed his album, I was familiar with some of the material. The opening track, Frankenstein’s Wife, is a banger. He included Finnish songs as well, which makes it special. Or I hope it’s special because I don’t have a clue what he’s singing about. However, something about the show didn’t quite translate to a larger venue. It felt like an intimate coffee house gig that didn’t scale up properly. It wasn’t overly energetic, nor did it hit the emotional highs you’d expect. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to see Marko doing well, happy, and performing again, but the show itself felt underwhelming. More importantly, it didn’t build up enough momentum to warm up the audience for Tarja’s set.
Then there’s the venue—Palace Hall. I’ve always hated it for rock and metal concerts. People sit down, it’s stiff, and if you try to stand, someone will inevitably tell you to sit back down. Don’t get me wrong, the issue isn’t the organizers; Bucharest just doesn’t have a proper venue for these kinds of shows, and for that I solely blame the mayor’s office(s). That said, major credit to Tarja for actually allowing people to stand at the front of the stage. A small group tried, but ultimately, a few very rude individuals shut it down with swearing and near-fights because they “paid for their ticket” and couldn’t fathom people standing at a rock concert. Frustration is one thing, but the level of hostility and profanity was unnecessary. Chill, it’s just a concert—no need to pop a vein.
As for Tarja’s show, she had to work hard to get the audience engaged. It wasn’t just about standing up for the final songs—there was a general lack of energy at the beginning. Some setlist adjustments could help; I’ve never liked her opening with “Demons in You,” and the slower mid-set section with “I Feel Immortal” and “Oasis” just drags. Those are songs you listen to on YouTube when you’re feeling down, not at a live show. She has much stronger ballads.
But then came Marko. And everything changed.
The moment they launched into “Dead to the World” : magic! If you had told me ten years ago that I’d be seeing this live, I wouldn’t have believed it. Before performing, they reminisced about their last time on that stage—back in 2004 and 2005, both historic shows in Romania. That nostalgia hit hard.
Following that, we got “Dark Star” and “Dead Promises,” which were absolute bangers with Marko on board. These are rockier, pettier songs (if you know, you know), and they worked beautifully. And then, the absolute highlight of the evening: “The Phantom of the Opera.” WOW. That performance alone made the night worth it. Simply unforgettable. It’s strange because it is and it isn’t a Nightwish song, but I sure am glad that we got to see them do it. There’s just no one who can come even close to their rendition of the song. I know other shows in this tour get Planet Hell instead, but I think we lucked out. Marko also joined for the first encore song, “I Wish I Had an Angel,” which, let’s be real, is always a powerhouse. And to see them hugging and call each other brother/sister and friends on stage… it truly is something. This tour of theirs healed a lot of things.
Vocally, Tarja was in excellent form. She made some reorchestrations to her songs that initially threw us off—like, wait, what is she playing? But she also added new vocal elements that truly showcased her range. It was a reminder that yes, the soprano is in the house, and she can SING. And show it off properly. I think she’s in a weird spot where because she is already this big and her fanbase so … devoted (let’s not call it obsessive), she doesn’t get as much credit as she should have for her vocal skills. I’m just sad we didn’t get to hear Supremacy because that’s the song on which she shines the most.
Seeing Tarja and Marko together was incredible, but if I’m being honest, without him, her show lacks something. The production isn’t great. I understand she needs something that works across multiple venues, but the stage felt too large for her—probably worsened by the dead audience. A bit more production, a refreshed setlist, and a stronger band presence would go a long way. Her current lineup includes some newer faces, and the chemistry isn’t quite there yet. The exception? Alex, who absolutely carries the show. Someone give him a raise. And of course, it’s always nice to see Doug, a familiar face from the beginning.
Overall, nothing else matters when you get to see Tarja and Marko perform live together. It’s the kind of magic dreams are made from. And while I use big words for it, in some ways it wasn’t shocking. I mean we have known for years they were singing together, so it wasn’t a surprise. But more than that… it felt good and natural, it felt the way it should be. Seeing Marko and Tarka sing together felt like coming home.