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Tallinn Music Week 2019, Estonia
March 25 - March 31
Tallinn with its stunning medieval centre, dating from 1248, and its thriving galleries, restaurants and bars is a must for the traveller. However for one week in March it is transformed into one of Europe’s most eclectic contemporary music festivals – the Tallinn Music Week, part of the Baltic nation’s festival season.
Over recent years the concept behind The Tallinn Music Week has broadened out. Always seen as combining Eastern, Western and Central European contemporary music, it now also encompasses art, design and ideas, with the aim of stimulating the understanding of modern culture. Parallel to the music festival is a conference (29 to 30 March) where speakers will debate all elements of the music industry, including its role in shaping our future society.
On average 35,000 music and art lovers attend over the week with an additional 1,000 executives from the music industry looking for fresh talent. There is a plethora of events to cater for differing musical tastes ranging from punk to pop, dance to metal and folk to contemporary classical music.
Tallinn Music Festival
The centre-piece of the Week is the three-day music festival (28 to 30 March). For three nights, there will be 21 performances at 10 different venues, with 170 artists from 28 countries including Estonia, Russia, Finland, the UK, Canada, Belarus and Sweden. There will also be some free events throughout the city, together with food and craft beer.
The opening night (28 March) also marks the 30th birthday party of Finnish Stupido Records, with Estonian punk, J.M.K.E and Finnish punk rock legend Pelle Miljoona performing.
Other performances include Berlin-based Russian “queer eccentrics” Sado Opera, and Estonian punks Psychoterror. While singer-songwriter Anna Kaneelina and British pop trio Wyldest will hit a slightly milder note. Alternatively, try Ukraine’s rap sensation alyona alyona, or Estonian popster Maian.
Perhaps jazz is more your thing? Armenian-Estonian bassist Ara Yaralyan, Estonian guitarist Jaak Sooäär and Finnish drummer Markku Ounaskari will collaborate, as well as contemporary collective Captain Kirke and the Klingons.
Folk will be represented by Trad.Attack! and Mari Kalkun, along with newcomers Duo Ruut.
The final night sees the party head to the Kalju (Rock) Baptist Church where pianist Kirill Richter will perform Russian neo-classical music. Whilst in the Estonian Academy of Arts there is a classical programme of innovative music including the duo Maarja Nuut and Ruum who will perform their album Muunduja. Also playing is the experimental Canadian violinist, Lakker.
Accessible Venues
The aim of the festival is not only to share and promote cultural interests but to also make the event user friendly for its many visitors. To this effect all venues used will be within a short walking distance of the three main hubs: the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Telliskivi Creative Hub and the Port Noblessner.
For ideas on some quirky activities to get up to in Estonia, click here.
When is the Tallinn Music Week 2019
The 11th Tallinn Music Week will be held from 25 to 31 March.
Tallinn Music Week 2019 Programme
A full list of the performing artists can be found here.
Tallinn Music Week Tickets
Tallinn Music Week 2019 Festival Pass costs €65, and the Conference + Festival Pass is €225. You can purchase them here.
Hotels in Tallinn Estonia
If you are looking for a hotel in Tallinn, try our Hotel Booking Portal.
Tallinn Music Festival Photo Gallery
For more information on Tallinn Music Week
For everything else you need to know about Tallinn Music Week, click here. Photos provided by the Tallinn Music Festival.
