Friday evening at the Pori Jazz Festival kicked off in a modest rain when the British soul singer, Joss Stone, stepped on stage. Early in her set, she said that she will sing “a little reggae to bring the sun out.” She followed with the mellow “Cut The Line” but not even Stone, The Queen of Contemporary Soul, could enchant Mother Nature. But she surely seduced me. And I have a feeling, I am not the only one.

Toward the end of her set, she asked the Finnish pop singer, Jenni Vartiainen, to join her in a duet for Vartiainen’s song “Suru on kunniavieras (Sorrow is an honorary guest).” Stone sang the chorus in Finnish, proving that she is a great fan of Vartiainen’s work.

Lauryn Hill, the soul and rap icon, was the headliner of Friday. She performed her songs with an acoustic guitar, accompanied by a live band. She gave an artistic twist to most songs, which made it sometimes hard to follow. But at her status, she is allowed to do anything and most fans will like it. She is, after all, a legend.

Read also:  John Legend, Emeli Sande, Chick Corea Confirmed for Pori Jazz 2021

Pori Jazz is one of the pioneering music festivals in Finland, arranged in the city of Pori in Satakunta region at the west coast.

The nine-day festival culminates to the main concerts in Kirjurinluoto Concert Park, from July 14-16, and Finland Today will bring you the highlights of the main weekend in pictures.

Joss Stone, the British soul singer, performing among the crowd at the Pori Jazz Festival in Kirjurinluoto, Pori, Finland on July 15 2016. She Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss Stone, the British soul singer, performing among the crowd at the Pori Jazz Festival in Kirjurinluoto, Pori, Finland on July 15 2016. She Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss tried to sing the rain away with a little reggae. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss tried to sing the rain away with a little reggae. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

"Fell In Love With A Boy" was one of the highlights. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

“Fell In Love With A Boy” was one of the highlights. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

"Baby, Baby, Baby / Will You Always Be There For Me?" Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

“Baby, Baby, Baby / Will You Always Be There For Me?” Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss knows how to captivate the audience. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss knows how to captivate the audience. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss's smile is contagious. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss’s smile is contagious. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss's voice is tender and dynamic. She performed a slow version of one of her best tunes "Music," making good use of her vocal scale. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Joss’s voice is tender and dynamic. She performed a slow version of one of her best tunes “Music,” making good use of her vocal scale. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Thousands waited for the legendary soul and rap icon Lauryn Hill to step on stage. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Thousands waited for the legendary soul and rap icon Lauryn Hill to step on stage. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Lauryn Hill played her popular songs such as "Doo Wop (That Thing) with an artistic and acoustic flair. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Lauryn Hill played her popular songs such as “Doo Wop (That Thing) with an artistic and acoustic flair. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Lauryn Hill performed with the confidence of an eight-Grammy winner. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

Lauryn Hill performed with the confidence of an eight-Grammy winner. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

To witness Lauryn perform was a dream come true to many. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

To witness Lauryn perform was a dream come true to many. Picture: Tony Öhberg for Finland Today

 

 

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