The Living The Dream tour wrapped up proceedings at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, closing this three-year era for Tarja Turunen in a spectacular display of classy Symphonic Metal.
Tarja
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London – 16 February 2026
Words: Liz Medhurst
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Tarja Turunen is the original lead singer from Finnish Symphonic Metal sensations Nightwish, a member from 1996 to 2005 when she departed among a sea of conflict and was succeeded in this role by Annette Olzon and then Floor Jansen.
Two decades and several solo albums later, the rancour has gone, and there was a nice, solid example of this, as for part of this Living The Dream tour, she was joined by Marko Hietala on some European dates.
Tonight’s set was only Tarja and her band, although there was no feeling of being short-changed as, despite battling ill health last week, her performance was pretty much flawless.
Bewitchingly dramatic from the start, she promised us a night of rock, which she and the stunning band delivered over three outfit changes and fifteen tracks. It is much more than basic rock, though. There is a pleasing complexity to the arrangements, with most songs going through a variety of styles and rhythms from funk to Metal to classical and beyond.
With a lot going on, it is to Tarja’s credit that it never seemed too much. Showpiece tracks like Victim Of Ritual, with its hypnotic adaptation of Ravel’s Bolero, went down a storm, and the extended band jam on Shadow Play showcased the astonishing array of talent on offer, with special mention to guitarist Alex Scholpp and Living Colour’s Doug Wimbish on bass.
The midpoint of the set saw Tarja alone at the piano performing a mesmerising and intimate version of Into The Sun, showing her immense stage presence and ability to connect.
The show was, of course, dominated by Tarja’s vocals as she swooped, trilled and freestyled through her multi-octave range, one of the originals of the genre and still a frontrunner with sheer class. The bulk of the setlist was taken from her impressive solo material, which is heavier than Nightwish and included two anthemic tracks from her former band (Plant Hell and Wish I Had An Angel).
In front of a large audience, who despite spectacularly failing to clap in time at points were respectful and enthusiastic, we witnessed an arena-level performance tonight, delivered in a theatre.
This was a good thing, as the angels and ornate carvings of the Empire made a perfect backdrop for the soundtrack.
Tonight was all about a celebration of what has already been achieved. The announcement of a new album and tour for later this year had come earlier in the day. With Tarja still at the top of her game, anticipation is already building for the future.
