History of Qstock in Timeline

Qstock is a two-day annual music festival held in Oulu, Finland, at the end of July. Since its inception in 2003, it has grown into the largest summer event in Northern Finland, attracting around 40,000 visitors. It features a diverse lineup of prominent domestic and international artists from various genres. As of July 2023, Qstock had sold out nine consecutive times. The festival is considered a successor to the former Kuusrock festival, which took place in Oulu from the 1970s to the early 1990s.

1965: Promotional Vehicle

In 1965, a white/yellow coloured VW Kleinbus became the official promotional vehicle for the event.

July 2003: 1st Qstock

The first Qstock was organised in Oulu in July 2003. The organisers expected approximately 2,000 visitors, but the number grew to approximately 7,000. The lineup included Sentenced, Negative and Radiopuhelimet.

2003: First Qstock festival

In 2003, the first Qstock festival was organised.

July 2004: 2nd Qstock

The 2nd Qstock was organised in Kuusisaari, Oulu in July 2004.

2004: 2004 Lineup and Comeback Performance

In 2004, the lineup included Kotiteollisuus, Sentenced and Suburban Tribe. The 2004 event also saw the comeback performance of Brussel Kaupallinen.

July 2005: 3rd Qstock

The 3rd Qstock was organised in Oulu in July 2005.

July 2006: 4th Qstock

The 4th Qstock was organised in Oulu in July 2006.

2006: Increased festival capacity

In 2006 the festival capacity was significantly increased by bringing the main entrance closer to the city center. The visitor traffic rush at entrances was also decreased by organising ticket > wristband exchange spots in the city central.

July 2007: 5th Qstock

The 5th Qstock was organised in Oulu in July 2007.

July 2008: 6th Qstock festival

The 6th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari, Oulu in July 2008.

July 2009: 7th Qstock festival

The 7th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari, Oulu in July 2009.

July 2010: 8th Qstock festival

The 8th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari, Oulu in July 2010.

July 2011: 9th Qstock festival

The 9th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu in July 2011.

July 2012: 10th Qstock festival

The 10th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu in July 2012.

July 2013: 11th Qstock festival

The 11th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu in July 2013. The festival was sold out with 30,000 visitors.

July 2014: 12th Qstock festival

The 12th Qstock festival was organised in Kuusisaari & Raatti, Oulu in July 2014. The festival was sold out. Pre-announced festival headliners were Volbeat for Friday 25 and Megadeth for Saturday 26 July.