About Friction

The Helsinki-based Friction Groove Collective has been performing in Finland's capital region for the better part of a decade, playing a primarily afrobeat, jazz, and Latin cumbia influenced repertoire, with occasional added Near Eastern and North African flavours.

It's safe to say that the name Friction is more than a little tongue in cheek, as the group is a dynamically evolving collective made up of passionate musicians, harmoniously blending diverse genres and cultural backgrounds. With over a dozen musicians often contributing to their live performances, Friction has an expansive and layered sound — a rich horn section, a multilayered percussion section, wide ranging electric guitar textures, and catchy basslines. There's a lot going on, but it's all firmly rooted in a range of infectious grooves from around the world.

Friction has played a wide range of events over the years: the Viaporin Kekri Festival on Suomenlinna for five years in a row, Espan Lava Open Stage, Global Club Nights at Puppet Theatre Sampo, the Cable Factory, and outdoor stages in across Helsinki and Jätkäsaari and occasional street gigs, dance events, gallery openings or private events of all kinds across Finland.

Want to book Friction for an event, or just want to say hello? Get in Touch →