HUG – Hard Underground Oulu

HUG means love. Love is the feeling of belonging together. It is sometimes hard.

HUG, or Hard Underground, was established in 2015 in Oulu, Finland, to embrace the legacy of freeform, the anthem of pure emotion hailed in its holy land as piripolkka. As one of the most enduring local underground rave communities, HUG is renowned for its high-speed, melodic soundscapes, pushing the limits of psychedelic trance, hard techno, and hardcore.

At HUG, we celebrate a do-it-yourself, non-commercial philosophy, fostering a welcoming community where everyone is accepted and encouraged to take part. We harness the power of hard dance to break down the limitations of the mind, providing a domain where shared experiences and feelings are what truly matter.

In a world where competition and isolation often prevail, HUG provides a sanctuary for people to let go of their defenses and connect. Our annual HUG Halloween gathering brings enthusiasts back year after year, offering an opportunity for spiritual transformation or just pure fun, but most importantly, it's a communal experience where everyone's contributions enrich the whole.

Our roster of artists include:

• Acid Angel, your spiritual guide to freeform hardcore.
• Garonne, our hard techno specialist.
• Wiola, who is shooting for the stars with her unique blend of full-on psytrance, freeform and hitech.

For more info and event invite requests refer to our private HUG Oulu Instagram. Here's a sample of our signature sound, freeform, with some quirky surprises:

Our promise to the community

HUG is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone can express themselves freely and feel like home. Our Community Care Team is present during our events to promote safer experiences without fear or harassment.

Our safer space principles: The Commandments / Pyhätön Käskyt

Contact: hug@oulu.ug