Marko Hietala in Sofia on July 17 - the Finnish Bassist and Former Nightwish Member With a Solo Tour at Park Centre Yunak

Marko Hietala, the Finnish bassist and singer, former long-time member of Nightwish and frontman of Tarot, comes to Sofia on July 17, 2026. The concert will take place at Park Centre Yunak, as part of the solo tour that then continues in Varna on July 19.

Hietala rose to fame in the late seventies with the folk-rock band Tarot, founded with his brother in his native Kuopio, Finland. In 2001 he joined Nightwish as bassist and second vocalist, and was part of the band's most successful period - the albums Once, Dark Passion Play and Endless Forms Most Beautiful, which sold 9 million copies. In 2021 he left Nightwish and started a solo career. With 4 solo albums and several collaborations with international projects (Henkka T. Blacksmith, Joonas Parkkonen), he remains one of the most recognisable bass and vocal names in European metal.

The setlist covers material from the solo albums Mustan Sydamen Rovio, Sokeissa Silmissa and material from the Tarot and Nightwish era - songs where he was the lead vocalist (While Your Lips Are Still Red, The Islander). Park Centre Yunak is one of the rougher-edged summer stages in central Sofia.

Tickets are available through eventim.bg at 82 leva. The concert starts at 20:00 on Friday, July 17, 2026. For Macedonian fans of symphonic metal and Finnish rock, this is one of the key dates in the neighbourhood this summer - the tour continues in Varna on July 19.