List of Tarja Turunen concert tours

This is the list of headlining major concert tours by Finnish singer Tarja Turunen, who is best known as the former lead vocalist for the symphonic metal band Nightwish, and has been in a solo career since 2006.

In 2004, Tarja released an independent single, "Yhden enkelin unelma, and played a few headlining Christmas shows in Europe in late 2005, later launching her solo career in 2006 with a Christmas album called Henkäys ikuisuudesta, followed in 2007 by her first metal album, My Winter Storm, accompanied by the "I Walk Alone" single, playing her first world tour in support of the album. She has kept a routine of album productions and touring, not only as a solo metal artist, with a total of five metal albums so far (the most recent being In the Raw in 2019), but also venturing into diverse styles as classical music territory, which is her official music formation, also often putting out albums and playing live tours regarding Christmas celebrations. (see Ave Maria – En Plein Air from 2015 and Score for a Dark Christmas from 2017 as examples).

Since her first headlining tour in 2006, Turunen has played over 500 concerts around the world, with her most recent and longest tour Living the Dream currently ongoing. Turunen has toured every continent except for Oceania (though she played there with Nightwish) and Africa.

Henkäys ikuisuudesta Tour

The Henkäys ikuisuudesta Tour was a short concert tour Tarja performed based on her 2006 Christmas album, Henkäys ikuisuudesta, limited to her home country and Russia, where she enjoyed a huge popularity.

Songs performed

The shows were based on the track listing of the album, consisting mostly of covers and renditions of traditional Christmas and classical pieces. The list of songs is based on the shows in Russia in 2006.

Originals

• "Kuin Henkäys Ikuisuutta"
• "Ensimmäinen jouluinen potpuri"
• "Toinen Jouluinen Potpuri"

Covers

• "You Would Have Loved This" (Cori Connors)
• "Happy New Year" (ABBA)
• "En Etsi Valtaa, Loistoa" (Jean Sibelius)
• "Jo Joutuu Ilta" (Jean Sibelius)
• "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (John Lennon)
• "Varpunen Jouluaamuna" (Otto Kotilainen)
• "Ave Maria" (Franz Schubert)
• "The Eyes of a Child" (Air Supply)
• "Mökit Nukkuu Lumiset" (Heino Kaski)
• "Mary's Boy Child" (Jester Hairston)
• "Magnificar" (Bach)
• "Walking in the Air" (Howard Blake)
• "Varpunen Jouluaamuna" (Zachris Topelius)
• "Silent Night" (traditional)
• "When a Child Is Born" (traditional)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour, based on the backing band on the album:

• Maria Ilmoniemi - Keyboards and piano
• Juha Lanu - Electric and acoustic guitar
• Ako Kiiski - Bass guitar
• Harri Ala-Kojola - Drums
• Iiris Pyrhönen, Heikki Hämäläinen - Violin
• Tiia Makkonen & Veli-Matti Iljin - Cello
• Mauri Pietikäinen - Viola
• Emilia Kauppinen - Flute
• Heikki Pohto - Saxophone

Storm World Tour

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2007 to 2009.

From My Winter Storm and The Seer EP

• "I Walk Alone"
• "Lost Northern Star"
• "The Reign"
• "My Little Phoenix"
• "Boy and the Ghost"
• "Sing for Me"
• "Oasis"
• "Poison" (Alice Cooper cover)
• "Our Great Divide"
• "Damned and Divine"
• "Die Alive"
• "Minor Heaven"
• "Ciarán's Well"
• "Calling Grace"
• "Enough"
• "The Seer"
• Wisdom of Wind"

From What Lies Beneath

• "If You Believe"
• "Montañas de Silencio"

Nightwish songs

• "Angels Fall First"
• "Passion and the Opera"
• "Sleeping Sun"
• "She's My Sin"
• "The Kinslayer"
• "Wishmaster"
• "Deep Silent Complete"
• "Nemo"
• "Dead Gardens"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)
• "Tired of Being Alone" (Schiller)
• "Symphony of Destruction" (Megadeth)
• "...and Justice for All" (Metallica)
• "Walking in the Air" (Howard Blake)
• "You Would Have Loved This" (Cori Connors)
• "Desarma y Sangra" (Serú Girán)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour:

• Guitar: Alex Scholpp (2007/Europe 2008 and 2009/North and Latin America 2009) / Kiko Loureiro (Latin America 2008/2009 Summer shows)
• Bass: Doug Wimbish (all shows except for the final European leg in 2009) / Oliver Holzwarth (final European leg in 2009)
• Drums: Mike Terrana (all shows)
• Keyboards: Maria Ilmoniemi (all shows except for the last European leg in 2009) / Christian Kretschmar (last European leg in 2009)
• Cello: Max Lilja (all shows)
• Toni Turunen, Tarja's brother, played additional drums, guitar and did backing and lead vocals, but only in 2007 and in the first European tour in 2008)

What Lies Beneath World Tour

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2010 to 2011.

From What Lies Beneath

• "Anteroom of Death"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "I Feel Immortal"
• "In for a Kill"
• "Underneath"
• "Little Lies"
• "Rivers of Lust"
• "Dark Star"
• "Falling Awake"
• "The Archive of Lost Dreams"
• "Crimson Deep"
• "Naiad"
• "We Are"
• "Montañas de Silencio"
• "If You Believe"
• "The Crying Moon"
• "Still of the Night" (Whitesnake cover)

From My Winter Storm

• "I Walk Alone"
• "Lost Norther Star"
• "The Reign"
• "My Little Phoenix"
• "Boy and the Ghost"
• "Sing for Me"
• "Oasis"
• "Damned and Divine"
• "Die Alive"
• "Minor Heaven"
• "Ciarán's Well"
• "Enough"

From Colours in the Dark

• "Into the Sun"
• "Never Enough"

Nightwish songs

• "Lappi"
• "Stargazers"
• "Swanheart"
• "Sleeping Sun"
• "Wishmaster"
• "Bless the Child"
• "End of all Hope"
• "Beauty of the Beast"
• "White Night Fantasy"
• "Nemo"
• "The Siren"
• "Higher than Hope"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)
• "Tired of Being Alone" (Schiller"
• "Walking in the Air" (Howard Blake)
• "Signos" (Soda Stereo)
• "Where Were You Last Night" (Ankie Bagger)
• "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Belinda Carlisle)
• "Livin' on a Prayer" (Bon Jovi)
• "Don't Give Up" (Peter Gabriel)

Tour dates

• A Supporting Alice Cooper.

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour:

• Guitar: Alex Scholpp (all shows except for Latin America in 2011) / Julian Barrett (Latin America 2011)
• Bass: Kevin Chown (all shows except for the festivals in 2010 and Latin America in 2011) / Doug Wimbish (Latin America 2011) / Oliver Holzwarth (festivals in 2010)
• Drums: Mike Terrana (all shows)
• Keyboards: Christian Kretschmar (all shows)
• Cello: Max Lilja (all shows)

Colours on the Road

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2013 to 2015.

From Colours in the Dark

• "Victim of Ritual"
• "500 Letters"
• "Lucid Dreamer"
• "Never Enough"
• "Mystique Voyage"
• "Darkness" (Peter Gabriel cover)
• "Deliverance"
• "Neverlight"
• "Until Silence"
• "Medusa"

From My Winter Storm and What Lies Beneath

• "I Walk Alone"
• "Sing for Me"
• "Damned and Divine"
• "Die Alive"
• "Minor Heaven"
• "Ciarán's Well"
• "Calling Grace"
• "Anteroom of Death"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "In for a Kill"
• "Little Lies"
• "Dark Star"
• "Falling Awake"

From The Brightest Void

• "No Bitter End"

Nightwish songs

• "Slaying the Dreamer"
• "Wish I Had an Angel"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)
• "Goldfinger" (Movie Soundtrack)
• "Jijiji" (Patrício Rey)
• En la ciudad de la furia / Crimen / De música ligera (Gustavo Cerati)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour:

• Guitar: Alex Scholpp (all shows except for selected 2014 and 2015 shows) / Julian Barrett (selected 2014 and 2015 shows)
• Bass: Kevin Chown (all shows except for 2013 shows and 2015 in Latin America) / Ana Portalupi (2013 shows) / Pit Barrett (Latin America 2015)
• Drums: Mike Terrana (all 2013 shows, and 2014 shows until September) / Thomas Heinz (all shows from September 2014 until the end of 2014) / Nicolas Polo (all 2015 shows)
• Keyboards: Christian Kretschmar (all shows except for Latin America in 2015) / Guilherme de Medio (2015 Latin America shows)
• Cello: Max Lilja (all shows)

The Shadow Shows

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2016 to 2018.

From The Brightest Void and The Shadow Self

• "No Bitter End"
• "Eagle Eye"
• "Shameless"
• "House of Wax" (Paul McCartney cover)
• "Goldfinger" (Movie soundtrack)
• "Innocence"
• "Demons in You"
• "Love to Hate"
• "Supremacy" (Muse cover)
• "The Living End"
• "Diva"
• "Undertaker"
• "Calling from the Wild"
• "Too Many"

From My Winter Storm, What Lies Beneath and Colours in the Dark

• "I Walk Alone"
• "Sing for Me"
• "The Reign"
• "Die Alive"
• "Ciarán's Well"
• "Anteroom of Death"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "Little Lies"
• "Dark Star"
• "Falling Awake"
• "Underneath"
• "Victim of Ritual"
• "500 Letters"
• "Lucid Dreamer"
• "Never Enough"
• "Mystique Voyage"
• "Deliverance"
• "Neverlight"
• "Until Silencie"
• "Medusa"

Nightwish songs

• "Tutankhamen"
• "The Riddler"
• "Ever Dream"
• "Slaying the Dreamer"
• "Nemo"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)
• "Paradise (What About Us?) (Within Temptation)
• "Angels" (Within Temptation)
• "Cielito Lindo" (Quirino Mendoza y Cortés)
• "Lanterna dos Afogados" (Os Paralamas do Sucesso)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour:

• Guitar: Alex Scholpp (all shows except for selected Chile and Brazil in 2017) / Julian Barrett (Chile and Brazil in 2017)
• Bass: Kevin Chown (all shows)
• Drums: Timm Schreiner (all shows except for June–August 2016) / Ralf Gustke (June–August 2016)
• Keyboards: Christian Kretschmar (all shows)
• Cello: Max Lilja (all shows)

A Nordic Symphony Tour

This was a co-headlining tour between Tarja and the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, with a support band opening the show, then Stratovarius performing and Tarja closing the night, with the two main acts playing 1-hour sets each.

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played in this tour.

From The Brightest Void and The Shadow Self

• "No Bitter End"
• "Eagle Eye"
• "Innocence"
• "Demons in You"
• "Love to Hate"
• "Diva"
• "Undertaker"
• "Calling from the Wild"

From My Winter Storm, What Lies Beneath and Colours in the Dark

• "I Walk Alone"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "Little Lies"
• "Falling Awake"
• "Victim of Ritual"
• "500 Letters"
• "Deliverance"

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour, playing in all the shows:

• Guitar: Alex Scholpp
• Bass: Kevin Chown
• Drums: Timm Schreiner
• Keyboards: Christian Kretschmar
• Cello: Max Lilja

The Raw Tour

The tour was interrupted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Tarja returning to the stage for a few shows in 2021, finally resuming the tour in 2022.

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2019 to 2023.

From In the Raw

• "Dead Promises"
• "Goodbye Strangers"
• "Tears in Rain"
• "You and I"
• "The Golden Chamber (Awaken - Loputon yö - Alchemy)"
• "Spirits of the Sea"
• "Silent Masquerade"
• "Serene"
• "Shadow Play"

From My Winter Storm, What Lies Beneath and Colours in the Dark and The Shadow Self

• "I Walk Alone"
• "My Little Phoenix"
• "Oasis"
• "Die Alive"
• "Anteroom of Death"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "Falling Awake"
• "Naiad"
• "Victim of Ritual"
• "500 Letters"
• "Never Enough"
• "Mystique Voyage"
• "Innocence"
• "Demons in You"
• "Diva"
• "Undertaker"

Nightwish songs

• "Sleeping Sun"
• "Wishmaster"
• "Nemo"
• "Planet Hell"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour:

• Lead Guitar: Alex Scholpp (all shows except for Latin America in 2019) / Julian Barrett (Latin America 2019)
• Bass: Kevin Chown (First European leg and festival in 2019) / Doug Wimbish (Latin America 2019/festivals in 2021 and 2022/October 2022/all shows in 2023) / Pit Barrett (Latin America 2022)
• Drums: Timm Schreinet (all shows from 2019 to 2023) / Alex Holzwarth (all shows in 2023)
• Keyboards: Christian Kretschmar (all shows except for Latin America in 2022) / Guillermo del Medio (Latin America 2022)
• Cello: Max Lilja (all shows)

Living the Dream Tour

The shows in 2023 were dubbed the "Greatest Hits Tour", which started in the United States. In 2024, Tarja was joined on tour by Marko Hietala, her former bandmate in Nightwish, with the shows being dubbed the "Together Tour", with Marko playing sets before Tarja then joining her during her sets for many duets, with shows already scheduled until early 2026. The "Living the Dream Tour" is the longest solo tour that Tarja has done to date at 130 shows, running from 2023 to 2026, tying with the Once Upon a Tour with Nightwish in 2004 and 2005.

Songs performed

The list of songs is based on the shows played from 2023 to 2025 throughout the tour.

From ', My Winter Storm and What Lies Beneath

• "Eye of the Storm"
• "I Walk Alone"
• "Oasis"
• "Die Alive"
• "Sing for Me"
• "Enough"
• "Anteroom of Death"
• "Until My Last Breath"
• "I Feel Immortal"
• "Dark Star"
• "In for a Kill"
• "Falling Awake"
• "Naiad"
• "The Crying Moon"

From Colours in the Dark, The Shadow Self and In the Raw

• "Victim of Ritual"
• "Deliverance"
• "Innocence"
• "Demons in You"
• "Diva"
• "Love to Hate"
• "Eagle Eye"
• "Undertaker"
• "Dead Promises"
• "Tears in Rain"
• "You and I"
• "Shadow Play"
• "Silent Masquerade"

Nightwish songs

• "Wishmaster"
• "Dead to the World"
• "Ever Dream"
• "Feel for You"
• "Slaying the Dreamer"
• "Wish I Had an Angel"
• "Nemo"
• "Planet Hell"
• "Higher than Hope"

Other covers

• "The Phantom of the Opera" (musical theme)
• "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore)
• "Left on Mars" (Marko Hietala)
• "Muchacha (Ojos De Papel)" (Luis Alberto Spinetta)
• "Ovelha Negra" (Rita Lee)
• "Cielito Lindo" (Quirino Mendoza)

Tour dates

Backing Band

The following musicians accompanied Tarja on this tour, playing in all dates so far:

• Lead Guitar: Alex Scholpp (all shows)
• Rhythm guitar: Julian Barrett (all shows)
• Bass: Pit Barrett (all shows)
• Drums: Alex Menichini (2023–2025) / Fernando Scarcella (2025)
• Keyboards: Guillermo del Medio (all shows)

Frisson Live

On 16 February 2026, the same day she concluded the Living the Dream Tour, Tarja announced on her social media a new series of concerts for later in the year. The tour, titled Frisson Live, is linked to Tarja's upcoming metal album, Frisson Noir, planned to release on 12 June 2026, with more dates expected to be announced soon.

References