The Finnish “Queen of the Slide Guitar,” ERJA LYYTINEN will celebrate her 50th birthday with a lavish live album package, 50th Birthday Live 2026, a double CD, double vinyl, and full-length DVD, recorded at the prestigious House of Culture—affectionately known as Kultsa—in Helsinki, Finland, in March 2026.
A legendary venue with deep roots in live music, Kultsa has hosted icons like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Slayer—now adding Erja to its storied stage.
This richly produced live album is released by Tuohi Records on October 9th, 2026, and is available to pre-order here: https://ffm.to/v8jw5nk
We’ve described Erja’s melody-rich blues tunes as “vital and fiery,” her guitar work as “a thing of wonder,” and her no-nonsense boogie blues “salaciously exciting!”
The first single from 50th Birthday Live 2026 is Erja’s “One Thing I Won’t Change,” originally from her 2010 album Voracious Love. This special birthday performance features glam and punk legend Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Joan Jett) on bass and backing vocals.
The track has an irregular, notched rhythmic texture, with the edges of sound gently gnawed, driven by a greasy, bread-and-butter bass riff. Then the song blossoms into a soaring, resilient chorus, full of elastic strength. The guitar playing is nothing short of remarkable, and the overall feeling this rock anthem imparts is one of indestructibility.
Erja Lyytinen 50th Birthday Live 2026 is an outstanding collection that confirms that this radiant artist still thrives on the live stage—playing hard, feeling deeply, and evolving her artistry with fearless commitment. It’s not just essential for fans; it’s a must-have for anyone who loves blues and rock played with soul, fire, and total conviction.
Erja Lyytinen 50th Birthday Live 2026 is available as Double CD/DVD and Double Vinyl
Pre-Order CD & Vinyl pre order here: https://erjalyytinen.com/erja-lyytinen-50th-birthday-live-pre-order/
Pre-save digital here: https://ffm.to/v8jw5nk
Words: © Neil Mach
Main photo: © Elsa Wellamo
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