Vastavirta-Klubi is a 15-year-old alternative punk – rock club that also hosts other, non-mainstream happenings. Politics and the rights of minorities might be included, too.

The music played here is often by small, non-commercial, local bands, but there are some bigger ones, too. I have come to listen to my son playing drums in his youth band and the lady ”Joku Iiris” in the picture that sings amazing stories with her great nasal voice and only her guitar as an instrument.

The place is located to the west of the centre in Pispala, which is the former workers’ and present cultural area very typical of Tampere – maybe the most original and authentic part of the whole city. The people in the club are very diverse and the atmosphere is tolerant (like in punk philosophy) so that even a normal middle-aged woman like me can go there safely alone and just concentrate listening to music.

The prices are very cheap here: you can have a beer for 3.50 €. Just outside, you will find another popular spot: the late-night snack/grill kiosk Vaakon nakki where you can get something to eat after or in between the concerts. There is also a pretty landmark just on the other side of the street: an old lit up tower of a former shot (for shotguns) factory.

The word Vastavirta means counter-flow in English and it tells the idea of the whole place.