Artists
Aivar Arak, Martin Arak, Kalle Vassila "The Sound of Three Village Kannels"
Estonia
Meet these three men, some of the most genuine and rare village musicians left in Estonia. After their day jobs, they've been performing every weekend for nearly half a century, with calloused hands and great joy, at celebrations and special events. They play mostly for their dedicated fans, who keep returning to their gigs. It’s no secret that they don’t use modern platforms like Spotify, TikTok, or other tools to boost their visibility or sales in the digital world, but they’re still thrilled to perform on Folk Thursday. Why? Because their next weekend is already booked! These gentlemen, with their peasant way of thinking and lack of formal music education, bring you timeless tunes played on Osvald Rossmann's extraordinary kannels – likely the Stradivarius of Estonian kannels!
Kalle Vessila – rahvakannel, vocals
Martin Arak – rahvakannel, vocals
Aivar Arak – rahvakannel, mumbling
Alika and Arno “Tracing the roots”
Estonia
Alika Milova is a rising star in the Estonian music scene, having earned her place alongside the country’s top vocalists in recent years. Best known for her work in pop music and Eurovision, she will take the stage at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival to perform folk songs that hold deep personal meaning for her. Joining her on stage is Estonian singer and multi-talented musician Arno Tamm, familiar to folk music fans from the bands Tintura and Paabel. Together, they will explore the musical heritage of their ancestors and home regions, sharing a heartfelt repertoire that resonates with both them and their audience. The performance will be accompanied by a talented ensemble of young folk musicians, led by Arno. The lineup features violinists Juuli Kõrre and Maria Mänd from Duo Mann ja Juula, as well as accordionist Mihkel Sildoja. This captivating concert will reveal new and unexpected sides of both Alika and Arno through folk music.
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Cätlin and Marko Mägi with Finlay MacDonald and Ali Hutton
Estonia/Scotland
Two duos playing Estonian and Scottish traditional music!
Estonian and Scottish music and musicians Cätlin and Marko from Estonia and Finlay and Ali from Scotland come together for the second time in this unique collaboration to share their music not only with each other but also with their audiences. Their first performance was at the Edinburgh International Festival in the summer of 2024, where their shared passion for music and performing brought immense joy. Now, they aim to bring this same jolly and heartfelt experience to the audience at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival.
Both duos, Cätlin & Marko and Finlay & Ali, have played together for a long time in their respective ensembles. Now, these two established duos unite and form a dynamic quartet that breaks stylistic and cultural boundaries with their music.
Cätlin & Marko Mägi play mainly Estonian traditional music. Their tunes offer a unique mix of ancient bagpipe and jaw harp melodies paired with modern saxophone improvisations.
Finlay MacDonald is one of Scotland’s top pipers, who blends tradition with modern influences to create a distinctive sound. He joins forces with Ali Hutton, a talented multi-instrumentalist skilled in guitar, whistles, and bagpipes, whose energy and versatility add vigour and diversity to their performances.
Cätlin Mägi - bagpipe, Jew’s harp, whistles
Marko Mägi - saxophones
Finlay MacDonald - Scottish bagpipes, whistles
Ali Hutton - guitar
Cätlin Mägi & UT VCA, EAMT, MUBA ja Heino Eller Music College teachers and students “In Search of My Story”
Estonia
What is my story? Is it an old folk song verse that I remember from somewhere, or perhaps a tune sung with accordion at a birthday celebration?
"In Search of My Story" is an audiovisual concert that invites you to explore how folk music lives in each person, and how everyone can find their own connection to this music.
Cätlin Mägi has gathered musicians from different generations to play, explore, and ask: how is our folk music created today? On stage and on screen, ensembles from UT VCA, EAMT, MUBA, and Heino Eller Music College, along with surprise guests, will meet. The concert brings together tradition and new interpretations, academic knowledge and personal heritage – resulting in a rich and captivating musical experience.
If folk music is alive and personal, where is your story?
Come listen, watch, and search with us!
Students of Heino Eller Music College, guided by Sänni Noormets:
Sänni Noormets - fiddle, talharpa
Susi Eerin Heinlo - fiddle
Pauliine Kaare - fiddle
Andro Ojakäär - accordion
Georg Raimond Õunap - guitar
Students of The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, guided by Karoliina Kreintaal:
Karoliina Kreintaal - fiddle, vocals
Marion Selgal - vocals
Monika Väliste - flute
Eva Eensaar-Tootsen - vocals
Katariin Raska - jaw’s harp
Students of University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, guided by Villu Talsi:
Cätlin Mägi - jaw’s harp
Villu Talsi - guitar, mandolin, vocals
Helery Kõrvemaa - bagpipe
Simone Minn - viola
Villem Suits - keyboard instruments
Marta Helena Hansing - fiddle
Students of Tallinn College of Music and Ballet MUBA, guided by Susanna Mõtsmees:
Susanna-Viktoria Mõtsmees - flute,
bagpipe Mart Adermann - guitar
Marta Kiho - fiddle
Karmen-Johanna Kärmas - fiddle
Liidia Baranyai - chromatic kannel
Students of Heino Eller Music College, guided by Sänni Noormets:
Sänni Noormets - fiddle, talharpa
Susi Eerin Heinlo - fiddle
Pauliine Kaare - fiddle
Andro Ojakäär - accordion
Georg Raimond Õunap - guitar
Students of The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, guided by Karoliina Kreintaal:
Karoliina Kreintaal - fiddle, vocals
Marion Selgal - vocals
Monika Väliste - flute
Eva Eensaar-Tootsen - vocals
Katariin Raska - jaw’s harp
Students of University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, guided by Villu Talsi:
Cätlin Mägi - jaw’s harp
Villu Talsi - guitar, mandolin, vocals
Helery Kõrvemaa - bagpipe
Simone Minn - viola
Villem Suits - keyboard instruments
Marta Helena Hansing - fiddle
Students of Tallinn College of Music and Ballet MUBA, guided by Susanna Mõtsmees:
Susanna-Viktoria Mõtsmees - flute,
bagpipe Mart Adermann - guitar
Marta Kiho - fiddle
Karmen-Johanna Kärmas - fiddle
Liidia Baranyai - chromatic kannel
Curly Strings
Estonia
Curly Strings is an acoustic four-piece band that draws its inspiration from their own personal heritage in the current Estonian cultural space. Intense and playful ensemble work paired with a sincere presentation of their original music form the main basis of
Curly Strings’ soundscape. The band’s rise in the Estonian music scene in 2013 was a phenomenon unlike any other: a folk music artist became mainstream by collecting national music awards and being the top seller in music stores for more than a year. They bring their unique Baltic take to the acoustic music world in combining the familiar with the unfamiliar, having catchy heartfelt songwriting side-by-side with folk music aesthetics, making them an exciting act to look out for.
Eeva Talsi – fiddle, lead vocals
Villu Talsi – mandolin, vocals
Peeter Priks – guitar, vocals
Taavet Niller – upright bass, vocals
Duo Ruut
Estonia
Duo Ruut is like something you’ve never heard before.
Their unique sound ties together a single Estonian zither and two distinct voices. Inspired by the traditions of their heritage, they draw influence from both the beliefs of different cultures and their own contemporary and emotive songwriting. As they are composing on one instrument, Duo Ruut’s music is minimalist at its core but packed with new and imaginative ideas. This single instrument in between Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi creates, what Mojo called, “a band sized sound”. As Songlines has said: accompanied by ethereal voices which slowly draw you to the world. Sometimes the barest, most minimal music can hit the hardest.
Duo Ruut has quickly transcended their home country and in a short period of time duo hailing from the northern coast of Estonia has toured around the world in more than 20 countries at prestigious festivals and venues such as ESNS, Womex, Celtic Connections, Trans Musicales, PIN, TMW, MENT, Pohoda Festival, Stimmen Festival, Elbphilharmonie etc. Their music has been supported by international media such as KEXP, BBC, MOJO, The Guardian, Songlines, The Arts Desk, Louder Than War, FIP Radio, RFI, Culturebox TV France etc.
Soon Duo Ruut is going to release their second full album “Ilmateade” (The Weather Report), which tells stories from different times, different people and most of all, from different weathers. Using Estonian traditional texts as song lyrics, it is a testament to the fact that the weather is not just a passive element behind our windows, but instead an ever-changing character that has more power over us than we care to remember in our busy daily lives.
Džambo Aguševi Orchestra
North Macedonia / Roma
Džambo Agušev leads the funkiest brass band throughout the Balkans, which is reshaping Balkan music with his 21st century brass fusion. Džambo Aguševi Orchestra is the only non-Serbian band to ever win the award of Guča, the best known festival of brass bands in Serbia. The Orchestra have performed to huge acclaim in Sweden, Germany, UK, France, Colombia, Hungary, USA, Italy, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Slovakia, Austria, Norway, Turkey, Austria, Greece, Mexico etc. The Džambo Aguševi Orchestra’s music is dynamic, fierce, funky and innovative: the orchestra was declared by Songlines Magazine (UK) as one of the world’s most exciting bands. Over the last 10 years, the orchestra has received many invitations from the top world music festivals. Their album Brasses For The Masses has been released for Asphalt Tango Records and was praised by international critics and received German Critics Pool award. They have played with many highly acclaimed musicians, including Husnu Senlendirici, Dubioza Kolektiv, Jovan Pavlović, Fanfare Ciocarlia, Olcay Bayir, Serhan Cagri, Mamak Khadem, Natsha Atlas and others.
Džambo Agušev - trumpet, vocals
Kočo Agušev - trumpet
Sunaj Mustafov - trumpet
Kjerem Jusinov - trumpet
Ali Zekirov - tenor horn
Džafer Fazliov - tenor horn
Mustafa Zejnelov - tenor horn
Shukri Djevatov - helicon
Orfej Chakalovski - big drum, vocals
Redjep Nedjatov - drums
EHALE
Estonia
EHALE is an Estonian folk band, created in 2022. Traditional dance music is mixed with new ideas and unique feeling, old is played in a new way.
EHALE is a young band composed of musicians who are passionate about bringing folk music to the forefront. The presence of both Estonian and foreign traditional music in their repertoire is essential to the band, yet they also include their own original tunes and arrangements. Drawing inspiration from old archive recordings, EHALE aims to preserve their ancestors' music while incorporating modern musical vocabulary and not limiting themselves to any specific genre.
EHALE's unique sound seamlessly blends contrasting elements. Two violins, one clarinet and a guitar form a special soundscape. Their music is reminiscent of a breath of fresh air, a cosy warm fireplace, or a delightful garden concert in the summer, offering an enjoyable experience that is suitable both for a small gathering with friends or a large festival stage.
For several years, EHALE has been in the main programme of Viljandi Folk Music Festival. They have given concerts all over Estonia and performed at Tallinn Music Week. In addition, they have also performed at festivals in Lithuania, Finland and Saudi Arabia.
Aet Kubits - clarinet, vocals
Mathias Lantin - guitar, vocals
Hellika Otsar - violin, vocals
Aneta Ponetajev - violin, vocals
Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle
Isle of Man
Combining the rich traditions of the Isle of Man with the varied sounds of synth pop and Eurofolk, Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle have forged a sound that is both dramatic and compelling. Since the release of their debut album, “The Coast Road”, the duo has been invigorating audiences, bringing their distinctive sound to festivals around the world while picking up new influences along the way.
Whether they’re burning through reels or setting the scene for a meditative air, audiences are enraptured by their fresh new take on a musical tradition like no other. Their aim as a duo is to bring Manx music to the masses, and they have already performed at some of the scene’s most prestigious festivals.
Elizabeth and Daniel are set to release their highly anticipated second album in 2025, building on their unique fusion of tradition and innovation. As they continue to evolve, they remain committed to sharing the rich musical heritage of the Isle of Man with audiences around the globe.
Estlager Trio “In Search of Village Musicians”
Estonia
In 2025, the folk music group Estlager Trio set off on a tour of community halls with their project “In Search of Village Musicians”. Their goal is to find and highlight local folk musicians who aren’t yet widely known. During the day, they visited and recorded these musicians, learning about their musical journeys and capturing their unique way of playing for dancers. In the evening, the musicians joined in lively dance gatherings at local community halls. So far, the tour has taken them to Iisaku, Puka, Leevi, Kääpa, Kose-Uuemõisa, Audru, and Kihelkonna. Now, the festival audience will also get a chance to meet these talented musicians discovered along the way.
The project is supported by the August Pulst Scholarship from the Estonian Traditional Music Center and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
Henrik Hinrikus – Estonian diatonic accordion, vocals, the originator of the idea
Juhan Suits – bagpipe and other wind instruments, vocals
Tanel Sakrits – mandola, vocals
Kadri Suits – project manager
Siim-Kaspar Kollamaa – videographer
Ethno Estonia
different countries
Ethno Estonia 2025 is an international music collective of nearly 50 musicians from around the world. The band gets together every summer but each time with a new group of musicians, which is why it is always fresh, unexpected, and unique. The collective’s repertoire is just as diverse – it's made up of traditional tunes and songs from different nations and regions, which are learned from each other in the nine-day music camp that takes place before the festival.
Eva Väljaots & Arja Kastinen
Estonia/Finland
Eva Väljaots (EST) and Arja Kastinen (FIN) are two musicians united by their passion for the ancient Finno-Ugric kantele tradition and improvisation. Their music breathes new life into historical Karelian kantele tunes – once vibrant and contemporary dance music, now treasured as part of the tradition’s foundation. These melodies were originally played with rich variations and improvisational freedom, a spirit that Eva and Arja bring to the stage.
Arja Kastinen, a virtuosic kantele player and researcher, is one of the leading figures in reviving the older kantele tradition. Eva Väljaots is an innovative kantele artist whose music draws inspiration from both ancient stories and the present world around us. In this concert, they explore the kantele’s unique and expressive sound world, blending traditional tunes with vivid improvisations. Performing on a variety of kanteles, they reveal the instrument’s incredible diversity and tonal richness.
Eva Väljaots - kanteles
Arja Kastinen - kanteles
Hanna-Reet Ruul
Estonia
Hanna-Reet is a folk singer from the forests of Võrumaa in South Estonia. She is currently deep into studying local folk songs at Viljandi Culture Academy. Besides her academic pursuits, Hanna-Reet has contributed to many different musical projects such as singing for the soundtrack of the movie “Vigased Pruudid” and playing in bands like Iiri-Eesti Lauluvägi, ÖÖT, Poogendajad, and GJ & The Evocations.
In her solo concert, she tells stories, sings various regi songs from around Estonia, newer Estonian folk songs to bring awareness to those who have suffered under war, Irish songs that have left a mark in her path and if there’s time left, plays some fiddle tunes as well!
Haydamaky
Ukraine
The Ukrainian ethno-rock band Haydamaky are known not only in their home country but also across Europe and beyond the ocean. The band, which has been on stage for 20 years, continues to surprise their fans. Their music is a modern blend of global styles – from Ukrainian folk to Jamaican reggae. The artists are constantly experimenting with sounds, but one thing remains constant: Ukrainian folk melodies and dynamic brass section.
Since 2001, Haydamaky have recorded and released 8 albums, 2 of which have become "golden" records.
The band frequently collaborates with international stars such as Che Sudaka, Apollo 440, Kamil Bednarek, Kellerkomando, Vavamuffin, Brother Culture and others. Thanks to these collaborations, they bring Ukrainian musical DNA to international audiences and have earned a prominent place in the European music scene. Haydamaky have performed at the most famous European festivals, toured across the old continent, played hundreds of club concerts, and earned two European Golden Discs. For this reason, fans refer to the band as "ambassadors of Ukrainian culture."
The band is actively involved in the democratic transformations and events taking place in Ukraine. The most significant events in the country's recent history are constantly reflected in the band's creative work. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, three of the band's musicians have taken up arms to defend their homeland, while the others are involved in volunteer efforts and continue their concert activities.
Ímar
Scotland
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners, Irish/Manx/Scottish quintet Ímar are amongst Glasgow’s hottest folk property. With a wide-reaching fanbase throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada, the quintet have fast become one of the trad scene's most talked about group – thanks in no small part to their debut video, “L’Air Mignonne”, becoming a viral smash in 2016, catapulting the group to the attention of audiences and media worldwide.
Their two albums – Afterlight and Avalanche – have since amassed a devoted listenership, whilst live audiences are transfixed by Ímar's collective and individual technical prowess. With a line-up boasting a heavyweight haul of top solo prizes – including nine All-Ireland and eight All-Britain titles – the group's collective synergy and live energy is positively electric. The five men share a strong background in Irish music; a grounding that underpins many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material. Indeed, the group's very being embodies a personal reconnection with its members’ formative years, dating back long before their recent camaraderie around Glasgow’s celebrated session scene. The shared cultural heritages between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man are well documented: all three once shared the same Gaelic language, and a similar, clearly potent, kinship endures between their musical traditions.
Adam Brown - bodhrán
Adam Rhodes - bouzouki
Mohsen Amini - concertina
Ryan Murphy - uilleann pipes
Tomás Callister - fiddle
Julgī Stalte, Ēriks Zeps & TKP
Latvia
Each of them is a representative of their own particular Latvian culture and tradition – Livonian and Latgalian. When they come together and gather friends, a spark of joy and strength shines from the diversity. 'TKP - tā kā pērn' [Latvian: 'as previous year'] was born from the synergy of ethnomusicians Julgī Stalte and Ēriks Zeps at Latvian heritage camps at the beginning of this century, where they met and made music together once a year, always 'as previous year.' Since 2018, the musicians have been able to meet more regularly – they’ve visited Latvians in Europe, Siberia, and Australia, created song cycles for the Latvian Song Festival Dance concerts, and more.
Their songs lull children as they did thousands of years ago, telling stories about their origin from bears. They are songs of love, hymns to the sea, the forest, the springs, the swamps, the fields, the sun, and the 'other world,' conversations with all the surrounding life. They are full of joy, and their music reflects that – with diverse roots and bright foliage!
Ēriks Zeps - accordion, vocals
Julgī Stalte - fiddle, vocals
Ingus Grīnbergs - fiddle
Deniss Smirnovs - drums
Pēteris Narubins - guitar, mandolin, vocals
Edgars Skrāģis - sound-engineer
Kader Tarhanine
Mali/Tuareg
Kader Tarhanine, the rising star of modern Tuareg music, captivates an ever-growing audience with his innate talent and artistic freshness. In 2012, he was propelled onto the international scene with his iconic song “Tarhanine Tegla: My love gone” becoming a major figure for Tuareg youth around the world.
His music skilfully fuses traditional Tuareg rhythms with rock influences, creating a unique and captivating sound. The poetic lyrics of his songs, often in Tamacheq or Arabic, add a profound dimension to his music, touching the hearts of those who listen.
In addition to his musical talent, Kader Tarhanine is also known for his impressive stage performances and his exceptional mastery of the guitar, which has earned him a reputation as a must-see artist on the modern Tuareg scene.
Over the years, he has collaborated with many icons of African music, such as Oumou Sangaré, Fatoumata Diawara, Sidiki Diabaté from Mali, Mouna Dendeny from Mauritania, and even Carlou D from Senegal. These collaborations have not only enriched his music, but have also positioned him as a peacemaker through music, using his art to promote harmony and understanding between peoples.
As a symbolic ambassador, Kader Tarhanine’s music transcends borders, advocating for harmony between the Sahelo-Saharan regions and the Maghreb, often torn apart by multiple crises. His commitment to peace and unity, combined with his undeniable musical talent, makes him an emblematic figure of contemporary African music.
Kinhlasõd
Estonia
Kihnlasõd is a group of musicians and dancers from Kihnu Island, bringing together both young and old. They perform traditional Kihnu dance tunes and share their island’s culture through music, dance, and song.
The people of Kihnu believe in keeping old traditions and skills alive – they never know when they might be useful! Strong roots, a sense of home, and a close community give them identity and strength. Making music, singing, and dancing together are also vital parts of their culture, and Kihnlasõd will bring this spirit to the Viljandi Folk Music Festival.
Kirbla Trio
Estonia
The virtuosos of traditional music, Leanne Barbo on kannel, Katariin Raska on jaw harp and Natali Ponetajev on diatonic accordion, play the music in the way it might have sounded at a dance party a century ago. Through the music of the Kirbla musician Jaan Ranna, the musicians have discovered a shared sparkle and now play for dancers and lovers of dance music. The trio's music is a blend of older folk traditions and contemporary minimalist mood music, which can make you dance passionately or lose track of time, simply enjoying the music as a process. The jaw harp and kannel, which are rarely heard as dance instruments today, make the Kirbla Trio’s sound unique and exciting, offering a special listening experience for folk music enthusiasts as well as anyone seeking musical experiences.
Kirbla Trio is the winner of Etnokulp 2024 Awards in the most authentic album category.
Katariin Raska – jaw harps
Leanne Barbo – kannels
Natali Ponetajev – Teppo type diatonic accordion
Haar Tammik – sound engineer
Kukerpillid
Estonia
Kukerpillid, a folk band formed by students of the Academy of Arts, had their first public performance on the 1st of April 1972, on an Estonian TV show. Since then, they’ve performed in Estonia and around the world, sometimes alone and sometimes with well-known Estonian singers and dance groups, played folk songs, country music (particularly bluegrass and cajun styles), rockabilly, and their own original compositions, won awards at festivals, studied folk music archives, and recorded songs from traditional singers across Estonia. Kukerpillid have recorded over hundred songs and tunes, released 24 albums, some of them compilation albums, many cassettes and collaborative albums with other artists.
Toomas Kõrvits – vocals, guitar
Ike Volkov – vocals, bass
Tiit Kõrvits – guitar, vocals
Heiki Vahar – fiddle
They have many friends too: former band members Arne Haasma, Tõnu Raadik, Indrek Kalda, Vello Toomemets, and others they still work with. Sadly, some members and friends, like Taivo Linna, Jaan Arder, Kaarel Kilvet, and Henno Käo, have passed away.
Laposa Julcsi & the Band
Hungary
Laposa Julcsi is a Junior Prima Award-winning folk musician and music mediator, winner of the 50 talented young Hungarians (2017). She has been fascinated by folk music from her childhood. She has been actively involved in folk music since 2007.
Her cultural mission is to introduce the Carpathian Basin folk music in Central Europe. As a mediator, she does not only emphasize the importance of loving music, but also the mediation of the entire culture with its traditions.
“For me, music is the milieu in which I discovered myself. There is an appropriate song for each and every kind of feeling, for joy, sorrow, or more complex feelings. A song helps to immerse yourself and move on. For me, music is a remedy. And folk songs are the best possible medicine. They reflect what is right, and they help me recover myself – I would like to share this with the people around me.”
Julcsi Laposa - vocals, violin
Károly Horváth - alto, hurdy-gurdy, vocals
Albert Nagy - violin
László Soós - alto, guitar, vocal
Márton Timár - double bass
Lõõtsanøøbid & Vennaskond “Off the Ground and Away to the Sea!”
Estonia
Vennaskond, who just celebrated their 40th anniversary, is a band everyone knows. But now, another group, Lõõtsanøøbid, is making a name for themselves, even though they are 35 years younger! What connects these two bands? That’s the big question, but we’ll give you the answer right away. One of the mentors of Lõõtsanøøbid, Margus Põldsepp, was part of the punk scene in the 1980s. In January 1988, he played guitar with Vennaskond at the first-ever official punk band classification concert in Soviet Estonia, held at the Mustamäe Mängude Maja. This event was the Ministry of Culture’s feeble attempt to regulate punk bands’ artistic level so that they could get officially paid for their performances. That concert was Vennaskond’s 19th performance. 36 years later, in 2024, after more than 6,000 concerts as a folk musician, Põldsepp was back on stage with Tõnu Trubetsky and Vennaskond, first on ETV and then at a summer concert in Viljandi, this time together with Lõõtsanøøbid.
Lõõtsanøøbid come from Mulgimaa and basically live at Karksi-Nuia Music School. Together with Vennaskond, they have recorded two songs: "Korsaarilugu II" and "Linnud Öises Linnas". At their Viljandi concert, they will perform a special programme called “Off the Ground and Away to the Sea!”, featuring classic sea songs, folk tunes, and Vennaskond’s legendary hits, which have practically become folk songs themselves.
In short, this will be a mix of punk and folk and best of all, lots of sing-alongs!
Vennaskond:
Tõnu Trubetsky – vocals
Allan Vainola – guitar
Anti Pathique – bass guitar
Ed Edinburgh – guitar
Hedwig Allika – violin
Miina Kullamaa – accordion
Anneli Kadakas – percussion
Henry Leppnurm – percussion
Pexte Paxter – drums
Lõõtsanøøbid:
Juhan Koppel – vocals, diatonic accordion
Brait Pärnik – vocals, diatonic accordion, electric guitar
Andro Ojakäär – diatonic accordion
Kaupo Leon Õnne – vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin
Kaspar Jassik – bass guitar
Rasmus Kadaja – vocals, diatonic accordion
Margus Põldsepp – vocals, acoustic guitar
Magalí Sare & Manel Fortià
Catalonia
Magalí Sare and Manel Fortià form a voice and double bass duo. They offer us a review of different Latin-American and Catalan songs from an open-minded and audacious perspective, as navigators searching for treasures from shore to shore, while still infusing their findings with their own proud Mediterranean nature.
They use the double bass as a source of multiple sounds, exploring its full potential. It seems like there is an orchestra in it. The audience falls in love with Magalí’s ductile and multifaceted voice and acting, which take unexpected turns.
They sound like one and play in a way that the audience focuses on each movement, on each note. Magalí and Manel love to break all boundaries, making their live concerts unpredictable and full of risk-taking, which only raises the quality of their performances. They deliver an unconventional, unpredictable and stimulating experience to their listeners.
Magalí Sare - vocals, flute, percussion
Manel Fortià - double bass
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Maimu Jõgeda
Estonia
The accordion is a wonderfully versatile instrument, and Maimu Jõgeda brings out its most beautiful and surprising qualities through her own compositions and unique arrangements of Estonian folk music. Born in Rõuge, Maimu has studied classical, jazz, and folk music, with folk being closest to her heart. For the past six years, she has lived and studied in the Nordic countries, graduating from Sibelius Academy as part of the prestigious Nordic Master in Folk Music program – only the second Estonian ever to do so. Her new album, inspired by Nordic folk traditions from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, was released on January 31, 2025. At the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, Maimu will present this fresh music to the audience. With an international career, she creates music with sincerity and delivers it with great skill in her concerts. Maimu has previously released two solo albums: Pühendus (2017), and The One About… (2020). She was also nominated for the Etnokulp Awards (Estonian folk music awards) in 2018 and 2020 in the categories Best New Folk Artist and Best Debut Album.
Mari Kalkun
Estonia
Mari Kalkun is a charismatic singer and songwriter who has performed in many European countries and Japan, gaining international recognition. Her latest solo album, Stoonia lood (Stories of Stonia), blends ancient Estonian myths and modern Võro poetry with her unique musical style and storytelling. The songs connect the past with today’s world, touching on important issues. She has already performed the album at major festivals in 20 countries.
"I was curious about how people before me have thought and sung about the world. I wanted to explore ancient traditions and link them to what I see happening today. I was drawn to exploring the very beginning – the creation and recreation of the world – and I also wondered if old songs could speak about things like climate change or overconsumption," says Mari Kalkun. The album talks about the power of words, the world tree that could block the sun, and the soulless ideal golden woman, a symbol of today’s obsession with perfection.
The main theme of Stories of Stonia is the controversial relationship between humans and nature. It combines old traditions with modern influences. Some of the lyrics were written by contemporary Estonian and Võro poets, as well as by Kalkun herself. The album title refers to the creation of a mythical world through words and music. In her live performances, Mari’s voice, kannel, piano, and electronic sounds come together to create rich, atmospheric music that takes the audience on a journey to a very different time and space.
The album was co-produced by a renowned British musician Sam Lee and released by Real World Records (UK). It has received widespread praise, including a 5-star review from the Financial Times, first place on the Transglobal World Music Chart and being listed among the best albums by Songlines magazine. Mari has already performed the album in 20 countries, including Canada, the UK, Norway, Belgium, Portugal, South Korea, Australia, and Japan. In 2023, she won the Etnokulp Award for Artist of the Year. At the Estonian Music Awards, Stories of Stonia won Best Ethno/Folk/Traditional Album and was nominated in four categories. It also received the "Golden Record 2024" Award.
Meelika Hainsoo, Krista Citra Joonas, Andre Maaker “River of Stories”
Estonia
There, on the river of stories, sail three unique and experienced musicians: Meelika Hainsoo, Krista Citra Joonas, and Andre Maaker. They are carried by the waves of old songs, each preserving patterns and traces of the love sought and found by several generations of ancestors, the beauty, and often the pain of life. The songs in the repertoire are chosen from both the older and newer folklore. This concert is a unique glimpse into the many layers of the human emotion through life stories that have become songs, lifting our imagination off the ground and into the vastness of human and timeless themes.
Meelika Hainsoo – vocals, talharpa, fiddle
Krista Citra Joonas – bansuri
Andre Maaker - guitar
Musica Borealis
Estonia/Italy
The Musica Borealis ensemble is an acoustic trio consisting of three musicians: Anna-Liisa Eller (EST) on the kannel, Marco Ambrosini (IT) on the nyckelharpa, and Taavi Kerikmäe (EST) on the harmonium and clavichord. Their focus is on blending the ancient sound of traditional instruments with the intricate performance practices of early music. The programme features the ensemble’s original arrangements of Nordic and Estonian folk music, adaptations of Estonian spiritual folk songs, and captivating works from the early music repertoire (including composers like Coll, Merula, Ariosti, Gallot, and others). A special highlight is the music of David Kellner, a Baroque composer who worked in Estonia.
Anna-Liisa Eller is a skilled kannel player with an academic background, having studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, the Lyon Conservatory of Music and Dance, and the Trossingen University of Music. She specializes in early and contemporary music. Anna-Liisa performs on various traditional plucked instruments, such as the psaltery, arpanetta, and different types of diatonic and chromatic kannel. She has played at numerous music festivals across Europe and has been part of several Estonian and international ensembles, both as a soloist and a member. In August 2021, she released her solo album Strings Attached: The Voice of Kannel with the Harmonia Mundi label, which won the Classical Album of the Year title and The Music Endowment's annual award 2021.
After studying violin and composition, Marco Ambrosini devoted himself to the nyckelharpa, which he discovered in a museum in Trondheim, Norway in the late 1980s. He is considered one of the pioneers of the nyckelharpa outside Scandinavia and one of the first to trace this instrument back from Swedish folk music to early and to contemporary music. Marco has performed as a soloist and nyckelharpa player in many international venues, like the theatre “Alla Scala” in Milan, in the Alte Oper Frankfurt, in the Philharmony in Cologne, Berlin and in the Carnegie Hall of New York. He teaches at several conservatoires in Europe and has recorded more than 160 CDs.
Taavi Kerikmäe (born in 1976) is a musician, curator, and lecturer. He studied at the Heino Eller Music School in Tartu, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and the Lyon Conservatory of Music and Dance. Taavi is a founding member of the contemporary music ensemble U: and the Estonian Electronic Music Society's ensemble EMA. He has composed music for numerous dance and drama performances, as well as films, and has collaborated with well-known composers such as Pierre Boulez, Kaija Saariaho, Tristan Murail, Louis Andriessen, and Ivan Fedele. Taavi has performed as a musician in almost every European country and beyond. He is a senior lecturer in contemporary music at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and the head of the CoPeCo master's program. He also leads the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Music. Taavi Kerikmäe has received The Music Endowment's annual award from the Cultural Endowment of Estonia as a soloist and with the ensembles U: and EMA. In 2016, the French Republic awarded him the title of Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters. In 2022, he received the Cultural Award of the Republic of Estonia.
Anna-Liisa Eller – kannels
Marco Ambrosini – nyckelharpa
Taavi Kerikmäe – harmonium and clavichord
Anna-Liisa Eller – kannels
Marco Ambrosini – nyckelharpa
Taavi Kerikmäe – harmonium and clavichord
Naised Köögis
Estonia
For Naised Köögis, singing is a way to get off the ground, rise above life’s struggles, whether it’s exhaustion, heartbreak, or a lost dream. Through their music, they reflect deeply on life’s challenges, sometimes with a touch of dark humour, to find strength and courage.
At the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, they will perform songs that make you laugh and cry, uplift and inspire – in short, songs that make life feel even more alive and inspire self-confidence.
"Who could live without carrying a burden,
Swim to shore from the iciest water?
But the longer I look at my life –
I see that it’s me!" (“Uhke ja vaba” – “Proud and Free”, 2019)
Naised Köögis is a band that has been active for over ten years and where four women create new songs in the spirit of folk music, blending traditional melodies with fresh, personal, and contemporary stories. Their music captures both the joyful rhythm of life and its inevitable absurdity, weaving together sharp social commentary and poetic sensitivity.
Kristiina Ehin – vocals, garmon
Sofia Joons – vocals, fiddle
Katrin Laidre – vocals, garmon, ukuleles
Kairi Leivo – vocals, bass ukulele
Natig Rhythm Group
Azerbaijan
The band was formed in 2000 by Natig Shirinov – the famous nagara player to emerge from the Caucasus. Natig Shirinov has revolutionized nagara percussion technique. In 2007 Natig was rewarded with the title of Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan. Subsequently, in 2018 he was rewarded with the title of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan. Natig Shirinov gained more recognition and awards, participating in intergovernmental exhibitions and conferences. He also took the stage at Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Baku European Games 2015, Formula 1 and Islamic Solidarity Games 2017. Natig Shirinov was awarded the Grand Prix Award at the Geumsan World Percussion Performance Art Festival. Natig Shirinov appeared on the stage with world superstar Rihanna, the legend of Islamic music Sami Yusuf, American screenwriter and material artist Steven Seagal. Now, with the Natig Rhythm Group bringing his creative energy through award-winning performances and innovative compositions, he amazes and connects with the power and passion, the rhythms of his soul.
Natig Shirinov
Umid Shirinov
Hikmat Rzayev
Namig Shirinov
Sevil Shirinova
Nikns Suns 20 “Folk Rocks, Hell Yeah!”
Estonia
Nikns Suns is celebrating its 20 anniversary at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival with an explosive folk rock show, bringing together the band’s most memorable members from the past two decades. Nikns Suns is a charismatic ensemble, known for its powerful mix of folk and rock. Their music is full of primal energy and raw emotion, appealing to fans of folk, progressive rock, and even heavy metal. They take old Estonian folk songs that inspire them and blend them with modern rhythms while staying true to their original spirit. Their intense live performances have become legendary.
This year marks 20 years since their first concert, which took place in Viljandi’s Õel Õde bar during a student band Poni-Emm’s anniversary party. The lineup was diverse, and the set list included rocked-up folk songs like “Karjapoiss”, “Viljandi Paadimees” and “Haanjamees”, as well as some romantic ballads. The stage featured Jaanus Mehikas on cello, Hardi Piisel with his Eurovision song “Rock’n’rolli lapsed”, Silver Ulvik on drums, and Lauri Lüdimois on keyboards. It was a colorful, theatrical, and all-night-long concert. A few days later, guitarist Ragnar Toompuu introduced the song “Ullike Seenel”, which fit the band perfectly. At the time, they still had no name, but they needed one quickly as the gigs kept coming. The name Nikns Suns (meaning Angry Dog in Latvian) came from a sticker on a wooden fence that Erki Uus noticed while travelling to Ventspils.
The original lineup included Erki Uus, Martin Hanson, Madis Nõmme, Kulno Malva, and Priit Oks. Over the years, the band became a staple of Viljandi Folk Music Festival, never missing a single event. So, it’s only fitting that they celebrate their 20th anniversary here!
Anniversary Concert Lineup:
Ragnar Toompuu – guitar, vocals
Merike Paberits – hurdy-gurdy, synthesizer
Priit Oks – vocals
Taavi Langi – guitar
Tanel Kadalipp – bass guitar, vocals
Kristo Joosep – drums
Kulno Malva – bagpipes, accordion, vocals
Erki Uus – bass guitar, vocals, harmonica
Martin Hanson – percussion, vocals
Madis Nõmme – solo guitar
NOËP Goes Folk vol II
Estonia
NOËP, a trailblazing artist hailing from Tallinn, Estonia, has carved a unique niche in
the music scene with his distinctive blend of electronic and indie-pop landscapes, amassing over 90 million streams on Spotify alone.
In addition to his global reach and appeal, in early 2022, NOËP was nominated for the record-breaking 6 awards at the Estonian Music Awards (EMA), receiving Male Artist and Pop Artist of the Year, as well as Album and Pop Album of the year for his debut album ‘No Man Is An Island’. In autumn 2023, NOËP hosted the first ever stadium show by an Estonian artist in Tallinn, breaking the audience record of 14,000 people. Most recently, NOËP received Male Artist and Pop Artist of the Year awards at the 2024 Estonian Music Awards.
His burgeoning reputation is growing internationally, with captivating live performances everywhere from Dubai and Beirut to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, and The Great Escape in Brighton. He has recently performed successful shows at Sziget Festival, Reeperbahn and three sold-out headline shows in London. His live performances stand out as a testament to his artistry, combining electrifying energy with meticulous production, leaving crowds mesmerised and craving more.
With a discography that reflects both depth and diversity, NOËP continues to push boundaries and redefine expectations. But this time, it is time to present his ‘folktonic II’ and what would be a more suitable spot for the show than summertime Viljandi. This brand-new record combining the Estonian language and our local folk sound fits perfectly into the dance-oriented atmosphere.
OOPUS
Estonia
OOPUS is an Estonian audiovisual folktronica group that fuses Estonian traditional runo
songs with electronic dance music styles such as techno, acid, dub, and ambient. Combining live performance with analog synthesizers, Estonian bagpipes, and immersive visuals, OOPUS creates unique, high-energy experiences that transform folk heritage into the sound of the future. Their performances feature custom-built light installations and storytelling inspired by Estonian folklore, taking audiences on a journey through time and space.
The band was founded by Mari Meentalo and Johannes Ahun while studying music at Tartu University Viljandi Culture Academy. Their shared background in traditional and electronic music naturally led them to experiment with merging these worlds. They later joined forces with visual artist Aleksander Sprohgis, who brought a new dimension to their performances with custom-built visuals and light installations. The trio debuted as OOPUS in 2017 at Viljandi Traditional Music Center. In 2019, dancer Raho Aadla joined the collective, expanding their creative scope to include movement-triggered visuals and dance-based performances. OOPUS has performed at international festivals such as Burning Man (USA), ESNS (NL), Linecheck (ITA), Nordischer Klang (GER), and Viljandi Folk Music Festival (EST), as well as at underground raves, meditation concerts, and immersive audiovisual installations. They have collaborated with events like Tallinn Music Week, Kristjan Järvi’s Sunbeam Productions, and brands such as BMW Estonia and Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture.
Their albums Nõidus (Sorcery) and Folk On Acid have been critically acclaimed, earning nominations at the Estonian Music Awards and Estonian Ethno Music Awards, including a special prize from Raadio 2. Their sound – defined by acid synths (Roland TB-03, Korg Volca), pulsating dance rhythms, and hypnotic traditional elements – has been compared to acts like Acid Arab and The Chemical Brothers. OOPUS’ live shows are fully immersive, often performed in the center of the audience, blending traditional dance music formats with modern club culture. Their performances are enhanced by sequencers, movement-reactive visuals, infinity mirrors, LED installations, lasers, and projections. Drawing inspiration from ancient Finno-Ugric mythology and cosmic folklore, they invite audiences aboard their “spaceship” to embark on a sonic and visual journey through the galaxy.
Their third studio album is set for release in mid-summer 2025.
Mari Meentalo – Estonian bagpipes, vocals, jaw harp, flutes, whistles, loopers
Johannes Ahun – analog synthesizers, live sound
Aleksander Sprohgis – custom-built light installations, visuals
Raho Aadla – dancer, movement input for live visuals
Aurelia Kuum - assistant
Kerttu Kruusla - photographer
Paabel “Off the Ground!”
Estonia
As part of the festival's special production, Paabel, with an expanded lineup, presents a whole concert of new music inspired by the motif "Off the Ground!".
On Thursday evening, the band will take the audience on a journey through the regilaul "Suur Tamm" (The Great Oak). It is possible that this oak tree once symbolized the Milky Way galaxy in the night sky for our ancestors. This mystical glowing shape was believed to have several mythical properties: it could be a bridge connecting the living on Earth with those who had passed away, the stars around and within it were thought to represent human souls from the afterlife, and by observing it, one could predict the upcoming harvest. Earth and sky; life and death; the thunderous passage of centuries in an eternally unfolding universe, where images of the deepest inner world of humanity and the vast mysteries of outer space open up simultaneously – all of this, and more, is hidden within our ancient folk songs. To bring these sounds to life, the ensemble Paabel will come together once again on stage!
Sandra Sillamaa
Tanel Kadalipp
Arno Tamm
Lauri Kadalipp
Tõnu Tubli
Arno Tamm
Regina Mänd "A Tribute to Pärnumaa Fiddlers"
Estonia
Bringing the living tradition of Pärnumaa fiddle music to life through sound, image, and space.
Multi-talented folk musician and violinist Regina Mänd has been diving deep into the rich and unique fiddle repertoire of her home region. For this festival, she presents a special solo performance featuring tunes from Pärnumaa’s village fiddlers. For over a century, Pärnumaa has been known for its remarkable village and wedding musicians, especially fiddlers. In fact, a significant portion of violin recordings in the Estonian Folklore Archives comes from this region.
In collaboration with renowned director Marta Pulk, the concert blends visual storytelling with music, creating an immersive experience where sound, history, and space come together. The audience is invited to connect with the diverse fiddle-playing tradition of Pärnumaa through this unique performance.
This project was born from Regina’s personal curiosity: Who were the musicians behind the old archive recordings? What were their lives like? What stories and traditions shaped them? How did their music influence generations, who grew up with their tunes? And what remains of their legacy today?
RÜÜT
Estonia
At this festival, RÜÜT presents a unique audiovisual concert, blending music, light, colors, movement, and rhythm into a cohesive artistic experience. This performance takes the audience on an immersive journey of RÜÜT’s music, revealing new layers and resonating with both longtime fans and first-time listeners.
Inspired by Estonian folk traditions, nature, and diverse cultural sounds, RÜÜT seamlessly weaves these influences into their music with both playfulness and mastery. Their third album, Kiriküüt, released in 2023 under the German label Nordic Notes, earned them three accolades at the 2024 Etnokulp awards: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Folk Artist. That same year, the album was also nominated at the Estonian Music Awards. In addition, RÜÜT collaborated with Sander Mölder on the experimental EP Lendas meie kopelisse.
The band’s name, RÜÜT, comes from the European golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria), a bird whose song captures the very essence of their music: rare, deeply moving, and rooted in nature.
Maili Metssalu – fiddle, vocals
Maarja Soomre – melodica, kannel, vocals
Juhan Uppin – Estonian diatonic accordion, kannel, vocals
Jaan-Eerik Aardam– guitar, vocals
Sandra Sillamaa, Piret Päär, Jaan Jaago
Estonia
Love isn’t like a potato – you can’t just grab it and eat it.
But what is it then?
Do we always recognize love when it’s there?
Why does it sometimes disappear?
Or maybe… it never really does, even when…
Stories, music, and more.
Sandra Sillamaa
Jaan Jaago
Piret Päär
Sounds and Stories from Ruhnu Island
Estonia
The second album, Echoes of the Sea, is set to be released in early spring 2025!
Swedish Estonian heritage lost after World War II is brought to new life with the sound of fiddles, voices and storytelling. It is an interdisciplinary performance grounded in the rich traditional and cultural heritage of a small island in the Baltic Sea. Echoes of the Sea is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the large-scale exodus to Sweden, which left Ruhnu Island empty of its local inhabitants and centuries-old culture.
The new album is accompanied by a series of videos filmed during expeditions to the island, featuring archival footage as well.
Sounds And Stories From Ruhnu Island shows the way for many artists on how to present folk music and cultural heritage. Musical proficiency, personal involvement, stories, emotions, fun, wisdom – it just makes this little island the center of the universe, as long as the music lives on.
— Balázs Weyer, programming director of Hangvető, Hungary.
Karoliina Kreintaal - fiddle, vocals
Lee Taul - fiddle, vocals
Kairi Leivo - storytelling, vocals
Svjata Vatra
Estonia/Ukraine
This year, Svjata Vatra celebrates their 20th anniversary. The Estonian-Ukrainian folk rock band Svjata Vatra released their single "Faith. Hope. Love." in March simultaneously in Estonia in Estonian and in Ukraine in Ukrainian.
Svjata Vatra (Holy Fire), plays folk music based on traditional songs with a fresh punk attitude, using bagpipes, jaw harp, scythe, and husky lead vocals – all blown into the 21st century by a shimmering trombone.
Since 2006, the band has been making people dance and breaking down walls by demonstrating the shared musical roots of 23 countries. They have performed at many festivals, like Colours of Ostrava, FélSziget, Positivus, Urkult, London IFEM, Kaustinen and Viljandi Folk Music Festival. Now, they’re ready to take their fiery folk further out into the world. Single “Pane mind põlema” (“Light my Fire”) was used on the soundtrack of the US TV series “Seal Team” in 2017. The band is alumnus of showcase festivals Budapest Ritmo, Tallinn Music Week, Eurosonic, Folk Alliance.
In 2020, Svjata Vatra released a CD “World, You are Changing”. Three generations of musicians took part in the production of the album, to point out the importance of the wisdom of grandparents that transfers to children and grandchildren. Now we see the father performing together with his daughter, connecting generations and traditions in the music!
Since 2014, Svjata Vatra has been closely involved in political and humanitarian activism to support Ukraine, both in Estonia and internationally. From February 2022, the Trochynskyi family has been personally leading some of the biggest actions in Estonia. They played a key role in organizing a national benefit concert that raised €720,000 to purchase ambulances for Ukrainian Army Hospitals. Another collaboration with the conductor Kristjan Järvi will result in a concert in Gdansk at the European Solidarity Center on 26 March, which will be followed by an international support campaign. During 2022 Svjata Vatra played more than 40 concerts in 5 countries to support Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the annual Cultural Award 2022 to Svjata Vatra.
In February 2023 the band went on a 10-days concert tour in Canada and played 8 concerts in 6 cities. On Ukraine's Independence Day, 24 August 2023, Ruslan and Terje Trochynskyi organized a magnificent concert "Ukraine thanks!" in Tallinn’s Freedom Square, featuring Estonian artists, Tallinn Police Orchestra, the Estonian National Male Choir, Svjata Vatra and Ruslana from Ukraine. The concert was broadcasted on Estonian National Broadcast and seen by 118 000 people. “Ukraine thanks!” collected donations for building bomb shelters for schools in East Ukraine. It resulted in building of 52 bomb shelters in East Ukraine cities.
In August and September 2024 Svjata Vatra visited Ukraine and performed on the Independence Day of Ukraine in Kiev.
The performance of Svjata Vatra has never been as expressive and moving as now, carrying a message for peace.
Ruslan Trochynskyi – vocals, trombone, scythe
Juhan Suits – Estonian bagpipes, wooden horn, whistle, vocals, jaw harp
Karl-Heinrich Arro – drums, percussion, vocals
Erki Reim – guitar, vocals
Ken Einberg – bass quitar
Rute Trochynskyi – vocals
Tintura
Estonia
Tintura is an electronic folk music group that blends samples from vinyl records with folk songs and traditional instrumental tunes. Their latest album Tee Säärekülast (2023) is full of bold experiments with Estonian folk song traditions, world music, jazz harmonies, and hip-hop rhythms. Samples range from gems found in Estonia’s 1970s–80s pop music archives to archival recordings from the same era across the globe. Tintura is known for effortlessly blending urban and rural culture, bringing fresh nuances and carefree interpretations to their new material, giving life to forgotten folk songs and the unique timbres of traditional instruments alongside modern soundscapes and electronics.
Karoliina Kreintaal - vocals, fiddle, viola, väikekannel, talharpa
Arno Tamm - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Taavet Niller - vocals, double bass, bass guitar
Lauri Täht - DJ, percussions
Trad.Attack!
Estonia
Trad.Attack! have made it their mission to constantly challenge themselves, to be dedicated and to surprise not only their fans but themselves as well. This year, the band will celebrate its 10th anniversary! During the last ten years, the band has released five studio and three digital albums, all of which open up a world of complexities. The band’s goal to perform in every country of the world has taken them to 38 countries already and to almost every continent, with concerts in Australia, Canada, Chile and Malaysia. In their home country, the band tours nationwide and gives large scale concerts. Trad.Attack! have been recognised and honoured in Estonia with 29 music awards, including Band of The Year and Album of The Year. Their latest full-length album, "Bring It On", was released in March 2023, and reflects the changes in the band members themselves and the world around them. In addition to new instruments, the band members have crossed musical paths with a number of musicians from home and abroad, such as the Georgian vocal choir Iberi, the Canadian folk-pop band The East Pointers, the founder of the band Yemen Blues, Israeli-born musician Ravid Kahalani, the authentic seto choir and others.
Sandra Sillamaa - Estonian bagpipes, Jew's harp, glockenspiel, whistles, vocals
Jalmar Vabarna - guitar, vocals
Tõnu Tubli - drums, brass instruments, vocal
Tuulebant feat. Tõnis Kirsipu, Ott Mait Põldsepp & Uku Zolgo
Estonia
One winter evening, Kert and Ott started jamming. Karl showed up with his violin, Kert grabbed a guitar, and Ott took the accordion. To make things even more fun, they found a bass player, and Ott’s brother got handed a mandolin– whether he wanted to or not! They even borrowed a name from two friendly bands, and just like that, the adventure began. Over the years, the lineup has changed a bit, but the friendship and love for making great music have always been at the heart of the group. The energetic band playing lively folk dance music have performed at parties both near and far – even across the ocean!
At some point, the accordion player realized they had plenty of tunes but no lyrics. So, without thinking twice, he grabbed an old inkwell and quill pen left behind by his grandfather and started scribbling down words on long winter nights. By spring, the band gathered to make sense of his notes, and those lyrics have since shaped their unique sound.
With their 10th anniversary coming up, they figured it was the perfect time to mix things up, see what other instruments everyone could play, and bring in some extra friends to join them on stage for the big celebration!
Richard Ott Leitham - accordions, banjo, vocals
Karl Kobin - fiddle, vocals
Kert Krüsban - guitar, vocals
Ernst Valdmaa - bass guitar, vocals
Uku Zolgo - Estonian accordion, vocals
Ott-Mait Põldsepp - mandolin, guitar, vocals
Sander Udikas - pipes, saxophone, vocals
Tõnis Kirsipu - percussions
Untsakad
Estonia
Untsakad – the essence of folk music and aesthetic ecstasy.
The embodiment of the most refined and absolute folk art in Estonia, the band Untsakad represents the finest and most highly esteemed acoustic values of traditional musical heritage. Their sonorous expression and instrumental virtuosity form a synergistic symphony, where harmonic resonances intertwine with the deep layers of historical cultural space.
Like a perfectly aged grand cru wine, the sound texture of Untsakad has only gained depth and nuance over time. Their interpretations of folk songs are not just musical performances, but finely composed masterpieces offering multisensory experiences, where every note and pause is precisely calibrated and emotionally charged.
The band’s instrumental ensemble – guitar, fiddle, diatonic accordion, bass guitar, and mandolin – creates a polyphonic spectrum, whose unmistakable symbiosis and timbral delicacy exude symphonic grandeur.
Jaanus-Paanus – the grand engineer of acoustic architecture, whose guitar sounds like the ultimate manifestation of symphonic polyphony, with a timbral spectrum that spans from Baroque concert hall majesty to impressionist sonorist softness. His playing technique combines the fine detail of Renaissance lute artistry with the postmodern eclecticism of the 21st century, with vibrations that resonate with the listener’s acoustic receptors, creating quadriphonic euphoria and metasonic ecstasy.
Ilmar-Pilmar – the apologist of string instruments and the erudite violin virtuoso, whose vibrato is as finely refined as Michelangelo’s David – perfectly shaped, expressive, timeless, and sensually elegant. It touches the listener’s soul like a golden sunbeam that turns into a silvery reflection over a rainy landscape. His fingers shape each note into a perfectly resonating sound, as if it was created with a divine touch.
Marek-Paarek – the master of low frequencies, whose bass vibrations are not just sound, but a cosmic force that grabs the listener and takes them beyond the horizon of sound, precisely where life and death meet. Every bass note is like a natural force, rendering the listener motionless while simultaneously opening a new world.
Margus-Pargus – the Grandmaster of accordion art, whose manual precision and timbral perfection have reached a level where every movement of air in the bellows is like a Swiss watch mechanism with harmonic rhythm. His fingers move along instrumental paths like a perfectly tuned clockwork, where every movement is part of a larger harmonic whole. His soul lives in every song that resonates like timeless art. He is also a vocal maestro who can represent the entire emotional depth of humanity in a single note. His voice is a vocal epiphany capable of filling the stage with its power, with every note carrying a radiant harmonic force.
Põlder-Mulder-Scully – the mandolin virtuoso, whose hands transform music into a glowing sonoristic magic. Every string movement is like a delicate yet spicy dance, transporting the listener to an era where each note is imbued with ancient, timeless mysticism. His playing precision is so surgical that each chord sounds like fine art – leaving a mark of perfection on everything.
Tauno-Pauno – the master of acoustic balance, ruling the sonic landscape with precise calibration and grandeur. He is the true architect of acoustic architecture, able to balance every frequency like the gravitational pull of a cosmic black hole, pulling all sound vibrations into perfect resonance. His fingers are like a scientist’s precise instruments, every press, every movement performed with the highest elegance and perfectionism, enabling each harmony and chord to reach the listener with absolute clarity and perfection. His sound engineering work is the absolute mastery of sonic creation – every note is meticulously shaped to offer the listener not just music, but a complete acoustic experience, transforming each individual sound into an admirable work of art.
The music of Untsakad is like an auditory decadence – a sensual feast for the ears, where every note and pause serves a fundamental purpose. Their performance is not just a concert, but a high-class cultural degustation, where each beat is like the finest drop of wine – carefully selected, perfectly balanced, and utterly delightful.
If Estonian folk music were wine, Untsakad would be its finest reserve – deep, rich in nuance, and only getting better with time.
Vabariigi Pillimees Toomas Valk
Estonia
In 2024, Toomas Valk was named the fourth Vabariigi Pillimees (Vabariigi Pillimees is a generally recognized badge of mastery for Estonian folk musicians). He comes from Setomaa, the village of Nedsaja, and is a musician with a distinctive playing style that combines the essence of a traditional village accordionist with the characteristics of a modern performer. Toomas has put his heart into researching and bringing old Seto accordion tunes back to life, while also contributing to the creation of new Estonian folk music. His main instrument is a three-row garmon which was custom-made for him in the Netherlands.
Toomas Valk – three-row garmon, stompbox, vocals
Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing
Estonia
Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing (The Association of Small Accordions) was born in June 1989 out of a group of teenagers’ unstoppable urge to play accordions. Back then, in these awful times, getting a decent instrument in our homeland was nearly impossible. One day, the founding members stepped into a small country store and spotted tiny children’s garmons on a shelf. The price was good, so they grabbed them and registered their music group officially with the Pärnu County Government.
Their evergrowing love for the buzzing sound of this sexy instrument led to the birth of a folk music dance orchestra in 1995.
Current members:
Marko Matvere
Raido Koppel
Joel Sarv
Erkki-Kalle Esop
Aivar Vassiljev
Sander Udikas
VASSVIK/SILVOLA/STRYPE
Sámi/Finland/Norway
In this joyful experimental encounter between strong performers, traditional Sámi melodies are developed into animistic avant-garde Joik by a collective improvisational process. Creative vocal expression melts with innovative guitar playing and sound design into a new type of music, where the past reaches out to the future.
The Sámi musician, composer, and band leader Torgeir Vassvik from Sápmi, Norway, is a representative of the Sámi second wave of music, especially of the coastal Sámi tradition. He has developed his own expression with style-defining aesthetics. His sound research leads him to cooperation with choirs, orchestras, jazz and classical musicians.
The Finnish/Norwegian composer, musician, and producer Juhani Silvola plays folk and experimental compositions and improvisations. In his electro-acoustic work, he is concerned with rhythm and phrasing in their widest sense, idiosyncratic melodic trajectories and the creation of the deepest, most animated timbres and textures as possible.
Audun Strype is experienced, but ever curious about music, technology and other earthly activities. Fond of the sounds of the forest, he prefers to pass time far away from anything that uses fuel and has a noisy engine. Favourite weekend hifi: Tandberg system 20 with Tripath amplifier and solar panel.
Torgeir Vassvik- joik, guitar, munnharpe, govvadas (Sámi drum)
Juhani Silvola - prepared guitar, electronics
Audun Strype - sound design
Veljo Tormis sing-along
Estonia
All singing enthusiasts across the country, come together and let the songs of Veljo Tormis resonate in unison!
There is something primal and inviting in Veljo Tormis' songs, making it easy for anyone to sing along, as his music is both simple and clever.
On Thursday, there will be a group singing event where everyone can join in and form one big choir together. We will focus on Tormis' folk-inspired songs.
Power will be added by mixed choir Kaika Kuur based in Karula, Võrumaa. The sing-along is led by a choirmaster and folk musician Celia Roose.
Zetod
Estonia
Zetod is a musical phenomenon that was born as a youth band in 2003 in Värska, under the guidance of Kristjan Priks, a graduate of the Viljandi Culture Academy. The idea of a group of boys from Setomaa playing pop-rock in the spirit of their own culture was exciting back then, and has brought them great success, many awards and a lot of appreciation by now. Now, seven studio albums and one AI album later, they are celebrating their 21-year anniversary!
Jalmar Vabarna - vocals, guitars, garmon
Matis Leima - vocals, violin, garmon
Artur Linnus - vocals, accordion
Martin Kütt - vocals, drums
Jaanus Viskar - vocals, bass guitar
Zhorzhyny
Ukraine
Zhorzhyny is a Ukrainian artistic volunteer project that began in the summer of 2022. Yelyzaveta Chukhlib, Anna Klymenko and Alina Klymenko are from the village in the Cherkasy region in the centre of Ukraine. They formed a trio to popularize Ukrainian folk songs and help the Ukrainian army.
In the almost 3 years of their creative activity, the Zhorzhyny have held a lot of charity concerts and raised about 1 million hryvnias for drones, thermal imagers, ammunition, and other important items for Ukrainian defenders. They have also participated in national, international charity festivals and joined concerts and creative events.
Trio Zhorzhyny explores Ukrainian national traditions and shares their findings with the audience. Zhorzhyny – it’s about the originality and beauty of Ukrainian song. It’s about the history, strength, and unbreakability of the Ukrainian nation.
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