History of Qstock in Timeline

Qstock is a two-day annual music festival held in Oulu, Finland at the end of July. The festival started in 2003 and features popular musicians from Finland and around the world, spanning a variety of genres. It is the largest summer event in northern Finland, attracting 40,000 attendees and selling out for nine consecutive years as of July 2023. Qstock succeeded the Kuusrock festival, which ran from the 1970s to the early 1990s.

1965: Qstock's Quirky Vehicle

In 1965, the vehicle that would become Qstock's official promotional vehicle, a white and yellow VW Kleinbus, was produced.

July 2003: 1st Qstock

The inaugural Qstock festival took place in Oulu from July 18th to 19th, 2003. The lineup included bands like Sentenced, Negative, and Radiopuhelimet.

2003: Qstock's Inception

The first Qstock festival took place in 2003, marking the beginning of this now-major music event. It aimed to attract around 2,000 visitors but significantly exceeded expectations with approximately 7,000 attendees.

July 2004: 2nd Qstock

The second Qstock festival was held in Kuusisaari, Oulu, on July 23rd and 24th, 2004.

2004: 2nd Qstock Lineup and Comeback

In 2004, Qstock featured artists such as Kotiteollisuus, Sentenced, and Suburban Tribe. The festival also marked the comeback performance of Brussel Kaupallinen.

July 2005: 3rd Qstock

The third Qstock festival took place in Oulu from July 29th to 30th, 2005.

July 2006: 4th Qstock

The fourth Qstock festival was held in Oulu from July 28th to 29th, 2006.

2006: Qstock Improves Accessibility

In 2006, Qstock enhanced accessibility by moving the main entrance closer to the city center and implementing ticket-to-wristband exchange locations in the city center to alleviate entrance congestion.

July 2007: 5th Qstock

The fifth Qstock festival took place in Oulu from July 27th to 28th, 2007.

July 2008: 6th Qstock

The sixth Qstock festival was held in Kuusisaari, Oulu, from July 25th to 26th, 2008.

July 2009: 7th Qstock

The seventh Qstock festival took place in Kuusisaari, Oulu, from July 24th to 25th, 2009.

July 2010: 8th Qstock

The eighth Qstock festival was held in Kuusisaari, Oulu, from July 30th to 31st, 2010.

July 2011: 9th Qstock

The ninth Qstock festival took place in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu, from July 29th to 30th, 2011.

July 2012: 10th Qstock

The tenth Qstock festival was held in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu, from July 27th to 28th, 2012.

July 2013: 11th Qstock Sells Out

The eleventh Qstock festival, held in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu, from July 26th to 27th, 2013, sold out with 30,000 attendees.

July 2014: 12th Qstock with Volbeat and Megadeth

The twelfth Qstock festival, held in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu, from July 25th to 26th, 2014, sold out. The headliners were Volbeat on Friday the 25th and Megadeth on Saturday the 26th.

July 2023: Qstock's Continued Success

As of July 2023, Qstock has sold out for nine consecutive years, demonstrating its sustained popularity as the largest summer event in northern Finland with 40,000 attendees.