Artists
Alle-aa

Ando & Friends

Angus
Let’s dance and sing together – like in the old days!
Let’s reggae!
Anton Ventsel - vocals, guitar
Elari Ennok - vocals, guitar
Mati Tubli - vocals, bass guitar
Tobias Tammearu - keyboards
Martin Petermann - drums
Tõnis Kirsipu - percussion
Lauri Kadalipp - vocals, saxophone
Johannes Kiik - trombone
Cätlin Mägi and Viljandi Culture Academy bagpipe students
At the concert you can hear old tunes that have made people dance for at least 150 years, alongside newer compositions from modern-day artists. So grab your earplugs and come listen to bagpipe music!
Cätlin Mägi - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Helery Kõrvemaa - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Kadri Allikmäe - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Karolin Übner - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Kerli Kislõi - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Merili Kask - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Susanna Viktoria Mõtsmees - Estonian bagpipe, jew’s harp, vocals
Djely Tapa
“Barokan”, the singer’s first album, was produced by AfrotroniX on the Disques Nuits d’Afrique label and was released early in 2019 to immediate critical acclaim. The 11 songs pay tribute to the strength of African women and to youth, together with calls for the protection of water resources. The singer’s powerful voice is backed by auras of Sahel blues and electro sounds skilfully measured by AfrotoniX. The true essence of Mandinka Africa is revealed, with kora, guitar riffs and Malian percussions as well as female choirs.
EHALE
Aet Kubits - clarinet, vocals
Mathias Lantin - guitar, vocals
Hellika Otsar - violin, vocals
Mia Matilda Tammekun - violin, vocals
El Khat
El Wahab has always been a man of invention. He talked his way into the Jerusalem Andalusian Orchestra as a cellist, self-taught from busking and unable to read music, learning the repertoire by ear as he went along, and picking up music theory. It gave him a strong foundation, but his world changed when he was given 'Qat, Coffee & Qambus: Raw 45s from Yemen' an LP of Yemeni traditional music from the 1960s. It came as an epiphany. He quit the orchestra, began building instruments and put together El Khat.
Estonian-Irish Song Power
In their arrangements/creations, they like to stay true to traditions but still try to push boundaries by adding versatility and colours with electronic and acoustic music. They sing herding songs, dance and game songs and touching love songs in Estonian, English and Irish. Important keywords in their songs are femininity, playfulness and flow. All this is tied together by their voices in harmony, interesting arrangements and the power of strong women.
Anne-Mai Valk - vocals
Hanna-Reet Ruul - vocals, violin, guitar
Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh - vocals, guitar
ETHNO Estonia 2023
Vitality, energy and joy of playing music mix at every concert of ETHNO Estonia and give the audience a massive energy boost!
ETHNO Kids 2023
Flook
Nearly twenty seven years after their first gig together, Flook continue to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages. Their most recent album ‘Ancora’, released in 2019 to critical acclaim and nominated for BBC Folk Album of the year, clearly demonstrates that, with their roots firmly anchored in the tradition, Flook still hold fast to their reputation as major musical innovators.
Brian Finnegan - whistles and flutes
Sarah Allen - flutes and accordion
Ed Boyd - guitar
John Joe Kelly - bodhrán
Fylgja
Kerli Kislõi - drums
Susanna Viktoria Mõtsmees - flute, bagpipe, vocals
Liina Tsimmer - electric guitar, vocals
Maria Mänd - bass guitar
Góbé
Várai Áron - lead singer, bagpipe, whistles, percussion
Rigó Márton - violin, viola, guitar, vocals
Vizeli Máté - viola, violin, guitar, kobza, vocals
Egervári Mátyás - hammered dulcimer, viola-tambura, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, whistles, flute, schalmei Hegyi Zoltán - double bass, bass guitar
Czupi Áron - drums, percussion, vocals
Góbé is brought to Viljandi Folk Music Festival in co-operation with Liszt Institute and Hungarian Cultural Center Tallinn.
Haldi Välimäe
A compilation album “Marynile / For Maryn”, dedicated to Marju Marynel Kuut was released in February 2023. The project was led by Haldi.
Harry Bent, Dave Murphy & Friends
The warm connection with the Johansons, which was formed during the trip to Tallinn, was not broken, and Harry and another Irish poet and musician Dave Murphy, who lived in Finland at the time, have remained frequent guests in Estonia. In 1993, the duo was the first foreign collective at the first Viljandi festival.
In imagination, Jaak Johanson is also on stage – why and what he sang and what we sang with him is still there. In our ears, fingers and hearts.

Heino Tartes & Friends
Musicians’ number one inspiration is Estonian aka Teppo-style diatonic accordion, which is unique worldwide. The diatonic accordion is also appreciated all over Estonia as a party and concert instrument.
Estonian accordion maestro Heino Tartes has many friends and the members of the band have changed over time, but the music and Heino himself have stayed the same.
At the concert they will play old classic folk songs and newer less-known tunes.
Heino Tartes - Estonian diatonic accordion
Kalev Kreegipuu - accordion
Tõnis Tartes - guitar
Rein Kinkar - mandolin
HUIK
Harlet Orasmaa - beats, sound design, effects
Kulno Malva - accordion, bagpipe, vocals, ocarina, whirligig and other instruments
InBoil
Int & Müller
Asso Int and Martin Müller are two very good friends and even better accordion players whose passion is to make people happy with live folk music.
Their debut album is full of old and forgotten tunes and also well-known pieces. It includes tunes taught by Martin’s grandmother from Miila village, Virumaa, and songs from Asso’s grandmother, who lived in Narva-Jõesuu.
The title track of the album is “Uus paat” (“New boat”) by Debora Vaarandi and Valter Ojakäär – a song that Asso Int and Martin Müller have played since the beginning of making music together.
In 2022, the two men celebrated their 15th year of playing together with the release of their debut album!
Asso Int - Estonian diatonic accordion, vocals
Martin Müller - Estonian diatonic accordion, vocals
Jaak Tuksam and Ain Agan
Tuksam and Agan share a long-term friendship and have had many concerts together over the years. Their last public performance was in Hopner House, recording an episode of Radio Night University. The evening was led by their old friend and stage partner Jaak Johanson. And this summer the two musicians will meet again at the stage named after Jaak.
Jaak Tuksam - vocals, guitar
Ain Agan - guitar

Júlia Kozáková
Júlia is a world music singer who has recently finished bachelor Music studies at School of Oriental and African Studies in London and now she continues studying jazz music at JAMU in Brno (Czech republic). She collaborated with the Roma in Slovakia to develop an authentic voice within this tradition. Her vocal style is described as immersive and empathic and her performance as genuine and authentic.
Júlia Kozáková - vocals
Viliam Didiáš - violin
Ľubomír Gašpar - cimbalom
Vojtech “Bélu” Botoš - viola
Ján Rigo - double bass
Zsolt Várady - guitar
Kaisa Kuslapuu Trio
This group grew out of the creative process surrounding the release of Kaisa Kuslapuu’s solo EP “Heinast Hobu” in 2022. She approaches the keyboard instrument in a minimalistic way and looks for a clever and good flow when playing folk music. You might even say playing with the folk music, because improvisation is Kaisa’s first language. The two main focus points of the programme are the traditional music of South Estonia and improvisation. On the one hand it’s a flashback to her childhood in Võru, on the other hand a wish to stay in honest present through music: the vibrating piano string has its own life between the striking hammer and the muffling felt, where it is in its power to create solemnity, anticipation, ease, sorrow, apathy, yearning and the deepest joy of the heart.
Kaisa Kuslapuu - piano, vocals
Meelis Pihlap - bass guitar
Tõnis Kirsipu - percussion
Kandlelumm
The concert varies in sound and style, with different kannels from chromatic kannel to psaltery, instruments and tunes from old masters, improvisations and soundscapes. Traditional is alongside medieval, rural next to noble, all that with many musical nuances and big sound arrays.
Anna-Liisa Eller is an internationally active kannel player and teacher. She has recorded under the labels of ECM and Harmonia Mundi. She is one of the most demanded performers in Estonia who plays very different styles, mainly on chromatic kannel.
Pille Karras is an experienced kannel player and teacher. She has played in different ensembles, studied old kannel playing styles and compiled educational materials for kannel players.
Kertu-Liis Õnnis is a young and outstanding kannel enthusiast who takes interest in different styles, is constantly learning new things and composing music. In 2022, she won the award of the best kannel student.
Toivo Tähemaa is a fan of kannel music and an instrument maker. He is a professor of technology in TalTech and has been playing music his whole life. He has developed many instrument supplements for kannel players. He plays different instruments in different bands.
Tarmo Kivisilla is a university teacher and musician. One of his favorite instruments is päkarauakannel. He works with folk dancers and is busy with several folk music projects (including mapping the kannel players, school concerts etc).

Kärt Johanson and Robert Jürjendal
People don’t really know how to sing runo songs anymore. They are like dreams that are so close, but you can’t really remember … Then you begin to recall and see and sometimes even understand, little by little … These are your dreams and no one else in the world has those dreams.
Kärt Johanson and Robert Jürjendal are happy to get together again to celebrate the 30th birthday of Viljandi Folk Music Festival and dive into this world again, with the same songs. But the dreams are new …
Kärt Johanson is an Estonian singer/musician with acting background, who has worked with different Estonian and Irish groups and musicians (Johanson ja Vennad, Riho Sibul, Tõnis Mägi, Taavi Kerikmäe, Seán Garvey and others). She has released four solo albums.
Robert Jürjendal is a guitarist/composer who has worked with many Estonian and foreign ensembles and artists (Weekend Guitar Trio, Fragile, Uma, Tõnis Mägi, Riho Sibul, Colin Edwin, Arve Henriksen and others). He has also written music for choirs (Girls’ Choir Ellerhein, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Collegium Musicale). He has collaborated on more than 60 albums and has released four solo records.

Kert Krüsban
Kert Krüsban - diatonic accordion
Kertu-Liis Õnnis
At the concert, you will hear Estonian, Finno-Ugric and Swedish traditional music arrangements for 14-string väikekannel. The versatile programme has a crispy Nordic character with the melancholic hum of the woods and touch of polkas played by her great-grandfather Felix Ritso. The echo of the wistful improvisational tunes reflects Estonian way of thinking and wanders off to faraway Ural Mountains. You can clearly feel the respect for our tradition and love for her kannel in Kertu-Liis’s music.
Le Diable à Cinq
Éloi Gagnon-Sabourin - piano, vocals
Félix Sabourin - accordion, vocals
Rémi Pagé - violin, mandolin, foot percussion, vocals
Samuel Sabourin - Banjo, violin, voice
André-Michel Dambremont - guitar, voice
Leik and Andre Maaker
Elina Kasesalu - violin, vocal
Kelly Veinberg - violin, viola, vocal
Andre Maaker - guitar
Lõõtsavägilased and Lõõtsanøøbid
During the first few years, they had four accordions on the stage but in 2017, the soloist Andres Eelmaa swapped his main instrument to a bass guitar to add a different hue to their music. In January 2019, Ott-Mait Põldsepp who plays the guitar and the mandolin joined the band. Lõõtsavägilased play mainly traditional music but they don’t shy away from other genres as well.
They have performed at all the larger folk festivals in Estonia, collaborated with Untsakad, Zetod, Jaan Pehk, Hardi Volmer and Metsatöll and won several awards.
Rasmus Kadaja - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, vocals
Tobias Tae - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, vocals
Andres Eelmaa - bass guitar, vocals
Ott-Mait Põldsepp - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
Margus Põldsepp - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, vocals
Lõõtsanøøbid is another quality product from the folk band factory called Karski-Nuia Music School. The band consists of five friends who could all easily entertain a village party as solo players. Their range of different instruments is really impressive, from saxophone to piano. The band was born two years ago and they have had more than thirty performances since then. They play a lot in their home region, Mulgimaa, where the young musicians are already in high demand. In the autumn of 2022, a renowned Estonian diatonic accordion player Rasmus Kadaja joined Margus Põldsepp as the boys’ tutor. Lõõtsanøøbid participated in a big project to support Ukrainians, alongside many Estonian folk musicians and bands, like Untsakad, Lõõtsavägilased and Metsatöll. The video of that project can be found on Youtube under “Ukraina Sõjahümn”. Lately they’ve included more songs to their repertoire, in addition to instrumental tunes, because the experience shows that good singing helps to win the audience’s heart!
Juhan Koppel - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, vocals
Andro Ojakäär - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, ukulele, vocals
Brait Pärnik - Estonian diatonic accordion, garmon, vocals
Kaspar Jassik - bass guitar
Kaupo Leon - acoustic guitar, vocals
Loten Namling
For a long time Tibetan singer «Loten Namling» carried the wish to bring Tibetan freedom songs to the western world. Tibetans in Tibet risk their lifes to sing these songs. Many of them are in prison for simply asking for basic human rights and the return of the Dalai Lama!
With Mik Keusen (piano), Philipp Moll (bass) and Muso Stamm (drums) they where lucky to find the perfect companions to complete this extra ordinary TIBETAN -SWISS band Porok Karpo, thus fulfilling the vision of Loten Namling.
Porok Karpo’s music is both raw and filigree, where intimate sceneries lead to powerfull episodes. The raw rhythmic fundament by drums and bass combined with evolving piano & guitar patterns bulid the landscape in which singer Loten Namling tells the story of the the Tibetan people and their struggle to lead a self-determined life.

LØYLY Orchestra
This international steam orchestra will throw all the nicest nuances of Estonian, Finnish, Danish and Swedish polkas to the sauna stove and is warm-heartedly waiting for everyone to join in the whisking!
Most of the band met in 2022 at NordTrad folk music conference where, once again, a legendary polka playing contest was held. Back then everyone represented their home country but now they have joined the forces and play without the competition element. Although polkas take up most of the group's repertoire, they still make room for other dance tunes and for honoring the nuances and twists of different polka styles.
Long live the polkas!
Kaisa Kuslapuu - piano
Regina Mänd - violin
Marie Hamborg - violin
Albin Myrin - clarinet
Timmy Gasslander - guitar
Nicolaj Wamberg - double bass
Pauliina Kauppila - percussions
MANDOTERROR
Kristjan Kuusmik - vocals, guitar
Peeter Priks - vocals, guitar
Tanel Sakrits - mandolin
Veli Rooger - drums
Aap Odres - bass guitar
Mari Kalkun
The focus point of the album “Stoonia lood” is the relationship between man and nature. Ancient and living traditions meet in the new programme. Several song lyrics are freshly written by contemporary Estonian and Võro poets and by Kalkun herself. The title “Stoonia lood” (“Stories of Stoonia” in Estonian) refers to the mythical creation of umwelt, with words and sounds. The organic symbiosis between Mari’s voice and sounds of kannel, piano and electronics creates epic soundscapes that take the listeners on a journey to a completely different time and space.
The co-producer of the album is a well-known British musician Sam Lee and the album is released under the acclaimed label of Real World Records (UK).
Mari Kalkun - vocals, kannels, piano, electronics, drum
Nathan Riki Thomson - prepared double bass
Minu Isa Oli Ausus Ise
Margo Mitt alias Eino Süggu
Gaute Kivistik alias Einar Süggu

Naised köögis
Kristiina Ehin - vocals, garmon
Katrin Laidre - vocals, garmon, ukulele, bass
Sofia Joons Gylling - vocals, violin, drum
Kairi Leivo - vocals, bass
Paabel
Sandra Vabarna - bagpipe, vocals
Arno Tamm - acoustic guitar, vocals
Jaan Jaago - electric guitar
Tanel Kadalipp - double bass
Tõnu Tubli - drums
Pärt Uusberg “Regiväli”

Rahu The Fool
The band was founded four years ago and is currently performing at national and international festivals and venues. Rahu The Fool consists of five musicians and every one of them is an integral part of the whole.
Pēteris Narubins - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica, stompbox
Benny Goldsmith - vocals, soprano saxophone, ukulele
Jāzeps Podnieks - vocals, washboard, ukulele, flute, harmonica
Lauma Bērza - vocals, violin, percussions
Evita Bambāne - vocals, double bass
Regisong podcast
We bring this old world even closer with an extraordinary opportunity to experience the podcast live, sing along and contemplate. The songs are performed by Kuraga Mari from Kihnu, Celia Roose and Meelika Hainsoo from Võrumaa, Urmas Kalla whose roots are in Räpina and Lauri Õunapuu who opens the background of the songs alongside writer and wonderful storyteller Indrek Koff.
Ross Daly Trio
Ross Daly - lyra, tarhu, rabab
Kelly Thoma - lyra
Bijan Chemirani - zarb, daf
Ruhnu violin orchestra
Ruhnu violin orchestra + Lee Taul, Karoliina Kreintaal, Sänni Noormets, Kairi Leivo and guests:
Breanndán Ó Beaglaoích - accordion, vocals (Ireland)
Maria Stepien, Marcin Lorenz and Marcin Filipczuk - violins, vocals (Poland)
Marcelo Politano - whistles, saxophone (Brazil)
Luiz Black - percussion (Brazil)
Efren Lopez - oud, rabab, hurdy-gurdy, 12-string guitar (Spain)
Sadam & Sillad
Marek Sadam - vocals
Martin Trudnikov - accordion
Paul Daniel - guitar
Svjata Vatra and Rute Trochynskyi
Ruslan Trochynskyi - vocals, trombone, scythe
Juhan Suits - Estonian bagpipes, wooden horn, whistle, vocals, jew’s harp
Karl-Heinrich Arro - drums, percussion, vocals
Oliver Kilk - guitar, vocals
Ats Tani - bass quitar
Rute Trochynskyi - vocals
Tallinn Dance House Musicians
Jaan Sarv - garmon
Monika Väliste - flute, pipe
Maarja Sarv - violin
Leanne Barbo - bagpipe, pipe
Natali Ponetajev - garmon
Tbilisi
.jpeg)
Tęgie Chłopy
The members of the band are the disciples of village musicians. One of their most important masters is Stanisław Witkowski from Opatów, an 80-years old clarinet player. Together with his four brothers he created a legendary band that performed traditional music during hundreds of wedding parties. People say that the Witkowski brothers were able to lift the ceilings with their music. And that is the goal of Tęgie Chłopy, too.
Their first album "Dansing" was voted the Best Folk Album of the last 25 years by the listeners of Polish Radio 2!
Maniucha Bikont - tuba, vocals
Maciej Filipczuk - violin, vocals
Ewa Grochowska - violin, vocals
Mateusz Kowalski - accordion, guitar, vocals
Michał Żak - clarinet, soprano saxophone, vocals
Michał Maziarz - tenor horn
Dorota Murzynowska - baraban drum
Szczepan Pospieszalski - trumpet, electronics, vocals
Marcin Żytomirski - violin, vocals, some lyrics
Tidi & Bande
Karoliine-Lisette Kõiv - vocals, guitar, violin, baritone ukulele
Elsa Nagel - vocals, piano
Marta Külaots - vocals, violin
Tintura
In the summer of 2023, Tintura will release their third album full of bold colours and experimentations with Estonian folk song tradition, world music, jazz harmonies and hip-hop rhythms. New Samples include gems from Estonian eighties popular music archives and recordings of the same period from around the globe.
Karoliina Kreintaal – vocals, violin, viola, väikekannel, talharpa
Arno Tamm - vocals, guitar, piano
Taavet Niller - vocals, double bass, bass guitar
DJ Lauri Täht - live electronics, drums
Trad.Attack!
Sandra Vabarna - Estonian bagpipe, Jew's harp, whistles, clockenspiel, vocals
Jalmar Vabarna - 12-string guitar, vocals
Tõnu Tubli - drums, percussion, brass instruments, vocals
Triuka and Lõõm
Triuka
Triuka, whose roots are in Estonian folklore, experiments also with the melodic runs of classical music and the grooves of rhythm music. These youngsters don’t follow old and well-known ways but create innovative soundscapes to search for their own rich and versatile colours. This band radiates harmonious energy when playing on stage! The trio has only been active for half a year but they have already had many successful performances and released their first single and EP.
Uku Zolgo - Estonian diatonic accordion
Triin Pihlap - violin
Aino Rahel Aimla - cello
Lõõm
Lõõm is a string quartet whose main repertoire consists of jazz and folk music. The players’ aim is to test their group’s sound limits by using new and unusual playing techniques (for example percussive technique) and experimenting with the structures and harmonies. The most important thing for them is to maintain the musicality, to be present and enjoy the process.
Johan Kristjan Aimla - violin
Sandra Helena Valdma - violin
Kristin Klesment - viola
Anton Hannes Karin - cello
Tuulelõõtsutajad
Their first bigger gig was in 2000 at Viljandi Folk Music Festival. Since then Tuulelõõtsutajad have performed both in Estonia and abroad and released three albums.
Juhan Uppin - diatonic accordion, vocals
Siim Rikker - octave mandolin, vocals
Priit Rikker - bass, vocals
Enrik Visla - violin, vocals
Toomas Oks - guitar, vocals
Untsakad
But a snake crawled in the grass and said to me: “Don’t come any nearer, she’s not blooming for you!”
A girl on the edge of a cliff, on the shore of Narva, raised her hands and heaved a sigh: “Disco is not important, punk is the main thing, this is very important indeed, my dear disco friend.” For sixteen years they ate pork with potatoes, sauce and butter, those of us who survived, they drank and they kicked and seven men ended up in jail.
The beer barrels danced and the pirates had a blast, hooray!
(Kaido Ray Kallikorm)
Ilmar Kald - violin
Jaanus Jantson - guitar
Jaanus Põlder - mandolin
Margus Põldsepp - accordions
Marek Rätsep - bass guitar
Tauno Uibo - sound wizard
Vägilased
It’s time to get together with old and new friends!
Meelika Hainsoo - vocals, violin
Cätlin Mägi - vocals, flute, bagpipe, jew’s harp, whistles
Jan Viileberg - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Marti Tärn - bass guitar, harmonium
Reigo Ahven - drums
Guests:
Leik - Elina Kasesalu, Kelly Veinberg - violins, vocals
Toomas Valk - garmon
Andre Maaker - acoustic guitar
Francois Archanjo - percussion
Varispäivätrio
The name of the ensemble refers to the ‘Day of the crow’ in Finnish – a holiday in Khanty and Mansi traditions celebrating the returning of the crows and the start of spring. Varispäivätrio takes after these playful and curious birds, who are well known throughout Finno-Ugric cultures.
Eva Väljaots - kantele, nars-juh/sangvyltap
Jenni Venäläinen - kantele, nars-juh/sangvyltap
Timo Väänänen - kantele, nars-juh/sangvyltap

Veljo Tormise laulusumm

Young talharpa players from Vormsi
Katarina Kõiveer - talharpa, vocals
Merilyn Juhkam - talharpa, vocals
Liise Varblane - talharpa, vocals
Gertlin Kanarbik - talharpa, vocals
Randal Mutso - talharpa, vocals
Liisa Koemets - talharpa, vocals
Age Kõiveer - talharpa, vocals
Helle Suurlaht - talharpa, vocals

Zetod
Jalmar Vabarna - vocals, guitars, garmon
Matis Leima - vocals, violin, garmon
Artur Linnus - vocals, accordion
Martin Kütt - vocals, drums
Jaanus Viskar - vocals, bass guitar