1413 artists from 74 countries applied to play at the next edition of Tallinn Music Week

The international new music festival  Tallinn Music Week (TMW) received 1413 artist applications from 74 countries. The highest numbers of applications were submitted from Russia, Estonia and Finland. The festival’s music programme is scheduled to take place in various clubs and concert venues across the Estonian capital Tallinn from 5 to 7 May.

The interest in the festival continues to be high even despite the pandemic-related restrictions, resulting in 1413 submissions from record-breaking 74 countries received during the period from October to December 2021. Topping the list with 253 applicants is Russia, followed by the host country Estonia, Finland and Germany. Compared to previous years, the number of applications from Germany, the UK and Canada has increased considerably, and interest in TMW remains high also in Sweden and the Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania. There is also continued interest in the festival among artists from farther countries, including the United States, South Africa, South Korea, Hong Kong, Palestine, Iran, Mexico and New Zealand.

Helen Sildna, Founder & Director of TMW says that the festival has become an essential spot for learning more about the region’s music scene: “Next to the Nordic-Baltic talent, we have taken great pride in showcasing fresh Russian music. The amount of applications from Russia this year proves that there is a significant resource of talent ready to reach international audiences, who find TMW useful to support their careers. We are proud to unite cultures and scenes, finding ways to present interesting music also from Asia, Canada, or the Middle East. It’s an honour to make Tallinn and Estonia a centre for the meetings of cultures  again in 2022 when Tallinn becomes the UNESCO City of Music.”

TMW 2022 artist application TOP 10 by countries:

Russia: 253
Estonia: 166
Finland: 113
Germany: 106
UK: 101
Canada: 60
Italy: 47
Czech Republic: 46
Latvia: 35
Sweden: 29

All applications will be reviewed by the TMW’s team of music curators, which includes representatives of both Estonian and international music organizations and experts in various genres and scenes. A confirmed line-up of up to 170 artists will be announced from February to March 2022.

As the leading showcase of “tomorrow’s music, arts and ideas” in the Baltic-Nordic region, TMW has been presenting distinctive talent of both its homeland and from across Europe since 2009. TMW’s music programme is acknowledged for its mix of the most unique talent of various genres from folk to metal and from experimental electronica to contemporary classical represented. 

TMW 2022 takes place on 4 – 8 May in the Estonian capital Tallinn that bears the UNESCO City of Music title from 2022.

TMW 2022 passes are on sale at shop.tmw.ee. Until the end of January the PRO Pass, which grants access both to the music festival and the conference, is available for 150 euros. The selection of passes also includes Festival Pass and DigiPRO Pass, which provides online access to the conference.  

TMW festival is founded and run by Shiftworks OÜ. The festival’s strategic partner is the music industry development centre and export office Music Estonia. The production of the music programme is carried out in cooperation with various programme partners.