Delta Life Grand Finale
Oulu August Festivals will conclude in August 2026 with a multidisciplinary, free of charge outdoor event at the city’s birthplace, in the Pokkisenväylä area. The event weaves together stories and future visions of the region’s and Europe’s waterways in a carnival-like spirit, with the aim of promoting world peace. The programmes for each day can be found at the bottom of the page.
The event takes place on a unique delta stage built over water, featuring top performers ranging from musicians to dancers and circus artists.
The event’s artist lineup includes one of Finland's top guitarists Marzi Nyman, the string quartet Meta4, the Oulu All Star Big Band conducted by Jukka Eskola, Mieskuoro Huutajat (Screaming Men's Choir), circus artists from Lumo Company, and a dance ensemble of more than ten performers. The stage will also be taken over by numerous international air guitarists, led by Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard, voted the greatest air guitarist of all time.
The script is by Delta Life’s artistic director Jukka Takalo, the compositions are by Marzi Nyman, and the parts for the Mieskuoro Huutajat are composed by its conductor Petri Sirviö.
The Delta Life show will be performed on three consecutive evenings (the same programme on every evening). In addition, the Air Guitar World Championship will be contested each night. The event can also be followed via live stream. The event is surrounded by pre- and after-parties in Oulu’s restaurants and bars.
The Story of the Show
“The Chalice of Poetry arrives with its guardians from Kainuu, traveling down the Oulu River to the Delta Life Grand Finale. The Chalice must be defended with the sword of words against the threat of the Western powers of air guitar. Yet people must turn to the same side in order to slow the wheel of time and save the world from chaos. At this point, the spirits of nature intervene…”
Team
Production: Oulu August Festivals / Oulu Cultural Events Association
Script and Artistic Direction: Jukka Takalo
Executive Producer: Anu Lähteenmäki
Music Composition: Marzi Nyman
Choir Compositions: Petri Sirviö
Choreographic Direction: Mikko Makkonen
Musicians: Mieskuoro Huutajat, Meta4, Oulu All Star Big Band, Jukka Eskola, Marzi Nyman
Dancers: Maria Autio, Pinja Grönberg, Mia Jaatinen, Minna Kaaronen, Viktoria Radin, Alina Sakko, Heli-Maria Latola (Ajatar)
Dance pedagogy students of Oulu University of Applied Sciences: Iida Ahola, Tomi Ihanus, Saana Mäkelä, Helka Saraperä, Moona Soronen, Janina Viero, Ella-Maria Äärinen
Circus Artists: Lumo Company
Air Guitarists: Justin "Nordic Thunder" Howard, Aline "Devil's Niece" Westphal, Nicole "MomJeans Jeanie" Sevcik, Kurt "Shred Lasso" Brown
Stage Design, Lighting and Video Art: Sun Effects Oy
Lighting Design: Nadja Räikkä
Video Design: Janne Ahola
Scenography: Maiju Murtola
Project Manager: Taneli Kainulainen
Stage Technical Construction and Implementation: Ramirent
Technical Sound Design: Antti Puumalainen
Streaming and Video Production: Saha Prod
Financial Supporters: Oulu Cultural Foundation, City of Oulu, Teosto, The Finnish Cultural Foundation (SKR)
Co-operating partners: Ramirent, Oulu University Of Applied Sciences, Dance Studio Fokus, Tanssikeskus City Dance
The event is part of the Oulu2026 Cultural Programme and Cultural Climate Change.
