The journey of karaoke from history to the present day

Karaoke has been entertaining Finns for decades—since the 1990s when it spread from Japan to the rest of the world. Over the years, progress has been made, and so have the perceptions associated with karaoke. What changes are we talking about? We asked karaoke host Jonas Laaksonen.

From underground to trendy

Having worked in the karaoke scene for a long time, Jonas has been able to witness the course of changes and development up close. He began his career as a karaoke host on Swedish ferries but eventually transitioned to work in a karaoke business on land. Traveling around Finland, getting to know villages and cities, he simultaneously promoted karaoke. Known today as the karaoke host at Shamrock in Vantaa, Jonas has noticed a change in the reputation of karaoke over the years:

"Karaoke was underground for a long time, but nowadays the feeling is more like karaoke has moved into the living room. Singing karaoke is more socially accepted; it's part of the fun, and there's no need to be ashamed of it anymore," says Jonas.

Changes in the reputation of karaoke have also influenced the role of the host. With experience from various events, Jonas has hosted karaoke on the radio, at the afterparties of the Presidential Palace Independence Day reception, and at large public events.

You can sing anything

The advancement of technology has made karaoke more approachable, as nowadays one can sing exactly what they want, not just what is available: 'Before, singing depended a lot on the karaoke discs that the restaurant had acquired. For example, there wasn't always a perceived need for a selection in English. Challenges with Finnish-language discs arose due to their high prices.'

The threshold for singing has lowered with the improvement in song selection, as today's karaoke lists include songs from all different genres. For example, through Feelment, restaurants gain access to the widest karaoke library in Finland, with the song selection growing every week. The emphasis on Finnish song selection is significant - Feelment's collection includes over 50% more than other service providers.

From paper karaoke lists to digital ones

The improvement of karaoke equipment has been a facilitating factor in the restaurant industry; nowadays, karaoke can be managed at its best through a single application designed for professional use. A clear operating system also makes the job of a karaoke host easier, as good features support the realization of the best possible karaoke experience.

For example, Feelment's Digital Ordering service is a crucial part of Jonas's work at Shamrock in Vantaa. Thanks to Digital Ordering, restaurant customers can browse karaoke lists through the website – this way, ordering a desired song can be done directly on their own phones. In addition to Digital Ordering, features such as alternating background music and karaoke, easy queue management, and comprehensive information about songs make the use of the karaoke service seamless

Watch a short demo video about Digital Ordering by pressing here

Turning wishes into reality

The winds of change have also brought the opportunity to listen to customers' requests in a different way. If there are gaps in the song selection, customers can send their requests directly to karaoke producers through one website. While not all requests can be fulfilled, they still hold great significance on the production side. Karaoke producer Melplay discusses the journey of turning karaoke requests into reality in a magazine interview. You can read the story by clicking here.

”It's great that Feelment listens and takes requests into account. It's always nice to call the phone support when they greet you cheerfully by name," Jonas appreciates.

Atmosphere matters

The trendiness of karaoke is evident in restaurants, as people of all ages, from hobbyists to competitors, take the stage. Karaoke booths and cabinets, where singing is a self-service affair, help manage the long queues that come with popularity. Despite the digital innovations, the role of the karaoke host has not diminished—in fact, quite the opposite!

Since karaoke is a part of socializing and celebration, the atmosphere must be just right. The karaoke host and well-functioning systems work together to create an ambiance that invites customers under the restaurant's roof time and time again. Dancing, celebrating, and rejoicing follow the rhythm of karaoke. Even those who swore they didn't like karaoke find themselves enjoying another performance. And those who never dared to sing take the stage. The atmosphere has sparked a transformation.

You'll find Jonas in his element at Vantaa Shamrock's House Of Karaoke nights. Check out what it's all about in our customer story! Did you know you can try Feelment's karaoke for free for a month? Read more here.