Finnish Sounds on Estonian Stages
Text Timo Raussi Photo Eric Van Nieuwland
Radio Suomipop celebrated its 25th anniversary in March, and this autumn will mark ten years since the station released “Suomipoppia,” a version adapted from the song “Suomirokkia” by the band Aknestik. Throughout this summer and the coming autumn and winter, numerous Finnish artists, ensembles and choirs will perform across Estonia, either at their own concerts or as part of festival programmes. The following overview was compiled with assistance from the Finnish Institute in Estonia.
On 4 July at 19:00, Finnish rock band Dingo will perform on the main stage of the Õllesummer Festival at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. Other performers on the same day include Terminaator, Sadu, Põhja-Tallinn, Tuberkuloited and Estonian celebrity cellist Silvia Ilves.
On 17 July, the quintet of Finnish-Estonian musician Bianca Rantala will be among the performers at the two-day TAFF:fest jazz festival held at the Haapsalu Cultural Centre. In addition to singing and accompanying herself on piano, Rantala will be joined by Jonas Metsäkylä (guitar), Sami Leponiemi (winds), Okko Saastamoinen (drums) and Mikael Saastamoinen (bass).
On 25 July, the Pauli Halonen Groove Trio, representing a younger generation of Finnish jazz musicians, will perform at the Narva-Jõesuu Jazz Festival alongside international artists including Italian pianist Dado Moroni and Irish singer Dana Masters. Estonia will be represented by Kadri Voorand and Mihkel Mälgand.
On 26 July, the Tampere-based ensemble Pirkanmaa Baroque will appear at the Haapsalu Early Music Festival under the artistic direction of violinist Aira Maria Lehtipuu. The programme features sinfonias by the 17th-century Italian composer Alessandro Stradella.
On 31 July, the chamber choir Utopia, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will perform Finnish songs at the Leigo Lake Music Festival in southern Estonia. The choir will also join seven other Nordic, Ukrainian and Baltic choirs for the world premiere of Veljo Tormis’s work “The Call of Iron”, or “Raudan kutsu”.
The same day, 31 July, the August Blues Festival begins in Haapsalu. At the Promenade Dance Pavilion, HarvestON performs at 15:00, followed two hours later by the Tomi Leino Trio. On 1 August at 15:00, the acoustic trio of Micke Björklöf, Lefty Leppänen, and Chef Kivimäki will perform at the Haapsalu Railway Station stage.
On 6 August, Finnish saxophonist and ambient-jazz improviser Heli Hartikainen will perform at Triigi Harbour on Saaremaa. Hartikainen previously appeared at Tallinn Music Week earlier this year. She will share the stage with the Estonian trio ITIRA, consisting of Peedu Kass, Villu Talsi, and Simone Minni.
On 9 August, British legends The Cure will perform on the outdoor stage of Unibet Arena in Tallinn. The concert’s support acts include Estonian folk duo Duo Ruut and Finnish accordionist and throat singer Antti Paalanen, who appeared in Finland’s UMK competition earlier this year.
On 28 August, the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Great Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under the direction of conductor Susanna Mälkki. The programme includes works by Ravel, Sibelius, and Beethoven.
On 11–12 September, the alternative-rock club festival Fuzz Salvation 2026 will take place at Von Krahl Theatre in Tallinn’s Telliskivi district. Finnish band From Grotto will headline the Saturday evening programme.
Looking further ahead, Finnish rock band The Rasmus will return to Estonia as part of its European and UK Weirdo tour. The band will perform at Helitehas in Tallinn on 28 January 2027.
Some may wonder why anyone would travel abroad to see Finnish performers. For devoted fans, Estonia offers an easy and often affordable concert destination. A music trip can also be combined with sightseeing, shopping, and other leisure activities—making it a convenient excuse for a getaway as well as a concert experience.
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