The 69 Eyes

Finnish rock “vampires” The 69 Eyes to perform in Vilnius this spring

On May 1, 2026, one of Finland’s most famous gothic rock bands, The 69 Eyes, will perform in Vilnius. The “Helsinki Vampires,” already familiar to Lithuanian audiences, will take the stage at the arts factory Loftas, promising an evening filled with dark romanticism, rock’n’roll and high‑voltage energy.

The legendary pioneers of Finnish goth’n’roll promise a powerful musical program spanning their rich discography — from classic hits such as “Brandon Lee,” “Lost Boys” and “Gothic Girl” to songs from their latest album Death Of Darkness.

Before The 69 Eyes take the stage, the audience at Loftas will see the band Orai. This Lithuanian electric and guitar‑driven post‑punk collective aims to make listeners dance, and when combined with the dark romanticism and rock’n’roll of The 69 Eyes, it is safe to say the audience is in for a high‑energy night.

Orai began in 2021 as a solo project but soon evolved into a full band influenced by post‑punk, alternative rock and dark dance music. The group’s leader, Donatas Zinkevičius, says: “We are guys dressed in dark clothes who sometimes accessorize with flashy, theatrical jewelry. Essentially, that’s what our music is like too — somewhat dark, but with a touch of self‑irony.”

Formed in Helsinki in 1989, The 69 Eyes began their musical career with the glam metal sound popular at the time, but did not stop there. Over time, darker, more gothic elements entered their music, and their lyrical themes shifted as well — shaping a style recognizable not only in Finland but internationally, blending gothic rock, glam metal and rock’n’roll.

Since 1992, when drummer Jussi 69 joined vocalist Jyrki 69, guitarists Bazie and Timo‑Timo, and bassist Archzie, the band has remained true to itself and to goth’n’roll. The group, often called the “Helsinki Vampires,” is said to be timeless, and they show no signs of slowing down — continuing to captivate audiences around the world with their music and image.

The band’s latest album, Death of Darkness, featuring ten dark, strong‑character songs, was released in 2023. “The band was formed in 1989, so it’s clear that most of our influences come from that glorious decade. Interestingly, we now have a young producer who isn’t an ’80s guy. His perspective added a special layer,” says vocalist Jyrki 69 about the group’s fourteenth album.

According to the band’s frontman, for a group that has existed for more than three decades, it is crucial to stay fresh — but equally important to remain faithful to their credo and mission: “It’s a way of life. We truly are the Helsinki Vampires. It’s the only life I’ve known and the best life one could have. The band has never been this busy, and after so many years we couldn’t be happier. We’ve seen everything with this band, yet we are more determined than ever. The 69 Eyes is a very unique band, and I just hope people can enjoy it as much as we do.”