Dogs’ World For Ilosaarirock

About 30 of the top classical musicians from the Finnish city of Joensuu will be playing in the orchestra when Mike Patton brings his Mondo Cane – or "dogs’ world" – to Ilosaarirock Festival.

"I was told about this project a couple of months ago, and I got really excited about it and wanted to bring them over for something suitable," explained Juha Kyyrö from Fullsteam Agency.

"And as we had a slot at Ilosaarirock, we went for it and luckily it happened."

Kyyrö’s company has worked with festival booker Panu Hattunen to bring in 12 of the 15 international acts on this year’s July 11-13 bill.

Patton, the former Faith No More frontman who has also handled lead vocals for sundry other outfits including The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fantômas, Mr. Bungle and Tomahawk, will bring about a dozen musicians. Most of the remainder will come from what’s now being called the "Ilosaarirock Sinfonetta Orchestra."

Mondo Cane is one of Patton’s pet side projects, which has him crooning over an orchestra playing Italian popular music from the 1950s and 1960s.

"As far as we know, before this no Finnish rock festival has presented such a large orchestra performing with an international artist," Hattunen said, although the rest of the lineup looks to have followed the 20,000-capacity event’s policy of booking mostly topflight Scandinavian talent.

Nightwish heads a list of top Finnish acts that also has Turisas, Von Hertzen Brothers, and Pepe Deluxé, while the international bands include Common, Mogwai, Ozric Tentacles, Cult Of Luna, Kashmir, The Heptones, Oceansize and Venetian Snares.