Jetro Stavén

Jetro Stavén (b. 1989) is a professional photographer and documentary filmmaker from Helsinki, whose roots are in Lappeenranta. He has been documenting Finland’s hardcore scene the 2000s.

Stavén's first gig was in 2005, when Down My Throat played at the legendary Monari in Lappeenranta. The energy sucked you right in. Lappeenranta was one of Finland’s hottest hardcore scene gig cities in the 2000s, and the vibe reflected that. Gigs were a constant, and even bigger international bands also played in the city on a regular basis. 

A couple of years later, the camera began to follow Stavén around to his gigs. He wanted to capture the energy and sense of community that he himself had fallen in love with in hardcore music. Stavén’s photos are full of energy. Instead of traditional shots of musicians playing, they often show the mosh pit, as well as the interaction between the band and the audience. The years 2010–2017 were his most active years as a concert photographer. During that time, he was constantly on the road in Finland and occasionally elsewhere in Europe. Although his concert photography has decreased due to his work as an entrepreneur, Stavén continues to do so. 

The HC scene has changed a lot over the years. The scenes in smaller towns have dwindled since their heyday, but the subculture remains strong, especially the Helsinki metropolitan area and Tampere. You can find info on shows on social media, but for it can be a bit hard to find. Shoutout to Circuit Breaker Bookings and 931 Hardcore! 

Stavén plays in two bands called Thin Line and Check Hook.

Spotify: " Thin Line " and " Check Hook"