Classical:NEXT, the global networking and exchange hub dedicated to classical and art music, presents a meticulously curated concert programme at Tallinn Music Week that pushes boundaries and extends horizons.
From masterful interpreters to contemporary innovators and canon-breakers – they're all united by the forward-looking keyword "NEXT".
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
WTF is Finland? Perhaps the happiest country in the world—or so they say. Despite the long winters, deep dark forests (read: alcohol), and Santa Claus, Finland has carved out a unique place in the global music scene. It's a country with the highest number of metal bands per capita, and it's home not only to some of the world's finest classical musicians but also to incredible pop artists, songwriters, and world-class producers.
WTF is also Welcome to Finland—a showcase event and an excellent opportunity to discover Finland's hottest new sounds! Hosted by Music Finland and Teosto.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Roots Session is a concert series that digs deep into music from every corner of the globe, pulling at roots and plucking leaves from diverse cultural traditions, while sharing the ground of great musicianship.
Blues, americana, roots rock, country, gospel, folk and even jazz—these are the building blocks that keep showing up in the Roots Session sound. Expect rock'n'roll that moves your hips and gospel that rattles your soul—all coming together at TMW in the Club of Different Rooms. Don't you dare miss it!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
The Metal Stage showcase, curated by Heavy Music Estonia, brings the raw power and intensity of the Northern heavy music scene—a fierce blend of metal spanning traditional to modern, folk to industrial. It's a stage where seasoned performers meet bold newcomers, pushing the boundaries of sound and emotion.
Prepare to encounter the most exciting, bizarre, and formidable acts from Estonia and beyond—honest, unrelenting, and fiercely passionate music for those who demand nothing less.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Paavli.LIVE is a concert series unbound by genre, taking its cues from experimental music, various shades of jazz, adventurous hip-hop, and so much more. Its distinguished guests have included Swans, William Basinski, Azymuth and John Maus—united by the singular nature of the artist and the exceptional quality of their music.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Feel the pulse of the Baltic grassroots music scene with Cindy & Kate at Uus Laine! This showcase brings together a wildly diverse lineup from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—spotlighting the region's most forward-thinking pop, indie, electronic, and alternative sounds.
Expect raw creativity, unbridled passion, and genre-bending performances that capture the Baltics' uniquely modern identity. The atmosphere shifts from intimate, pin-drop listening moments to bold, high-energy performances, offering a vivid snapshot of the region's rising talent. Artists who've graced the TMW stage with Cindy & Kate have been snapped up for gigs as far-flung as Croatia, India, and Nepal—straight off the stage.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
At Tallinn Music Week, Finno-Ugric artists take to the stage: Estonians, Setos, Finns, Sámi, Udmurts, and Hungarians.
The spectrum of musical styles is broad and delightfully idiosyncratic: you'll hear traditional songs and modern folk music, experimental electronica, as well as music tinged with post-rock and ambient.
What unites these acts is a Finno-Ugric cultural background, expressed through singing in their native languages or through the distinctive world of their sonic world.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Jazz Estonia welcomes all TMW jazz lovers to Fotografiska! Experience fresh, high-energy jazz from Estonia and across Europe—a rare and vibrant bouquet of sound where improvisation meets virtuosity!
Another jazz showcase takes place at Fotografiska on Saturday, 11th April.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Made in Canada night at the Telliskivi F-hoone’s Black Hall highlights the breaking acts from the land of the maple leaf!
The showcase is presented by the Women In Music Canada and Mundial Montreal in partnership with Estonian Music Week and VEMU, with the support of the Government of Canada and SODEC Quebec.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
At Tallinn Music Week, the most exciting boundary-pushing music and art festivals of the Baltic region—Üle Heli and Skaņu Mežs—meet again. Expect an evening where experimental soundscapes collide with bold artistic vision, where sonic exploration knows no genre limits, and where the unpredictable becomes the norm.
Üle Heli is an Estonian festival that, rather than focusing on genre, explores the variety of meanings in music and sound and the connections across different art forms. It’s also a platform for sound artists and experimental musicians to develop and present their ideas.
Skaņu Mežs, the Latvian event, brings together the most individual artists as they search for new sounds and sonic dimensions. These performances reveal a constantly shifting scene—unpredictable, defiantly outside the mainstream, and beyond comfort zones: in short, a pure “sound forest,” or Skaņu Mežs in Latvian.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
ÅÄÖ…Sounds Swedish brings you the artists poised to break next. This is the hub for Swedish music's international reach—, so you will be right in the heart of the action!!
Catch the acts on the TMW ÅÄÖ…Sounds Swedish stage, and spot them before everyone else does. Expect a lineup that's pure genre-hopping smorgasbord, plus a masterclass in those infamous dotted vowels (Swedish and Estonian both). You don't want to miss this!
This event is presented in collaboration with Talentcoach, Icons Creating Evil Art, MTA Production, BD Pop & Sensus.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Milestones deserve a proper celebration! The party series Tier Kollektiv, launched last year, arrives at Tallinn Music Week in style to mark Tier Music's 10th anniversary.
We promise an evening pulsing with sounds born from years of friendship, spanning indie and pop to melodic electronica and UK garage.
We're leaving it to the artists performing at Fonoteek to decide what and whom they bring along. After all, since Tier's activities have always leaned towards collaboration and export, expect the Tier Kollektiv tradition to deliver not only the music of that night's artists and producers but also surprises and unheard gems.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
The largest festival in the Baltics dedicated to folk music and adjacent genres, the Viljandi Folk Music Festival, brings the true essence of folk to the TMW stage for one night.
At Von Krahl, you can take a musical journey along the cultural paths of countries near and far. And of course, we'll also be showcasing our own powerful heritage, both from our roots and from the intersections with other styles.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
The Sounds of the Cities night celebrates music as a force that connects communities across borders. This collaborative evening brings together artists from the UNESCO Cities of Music and the Music Cities Network—two global communities united by their passion for music and creative urban culture.
At TMW 2026, this night returns in an expanded form, offering a window into the sonic identities of music cities from around the world. The line-up spans a rich spectrum of styles, blending established names with emerging talent. From tradition-rooted sounds to bold experimental directions, you'll experience the unique sonic landscapes that have shaped these cities' global reputations. It's a reminder that cities themselves can become instruments in a global musical dialogue—connecting, inspiring, and building bridges through sound.
Since 2022, Tallinn has proudly held UNESCO City of Music status, recognised for its thriving music culture and innovative creative industries. This prestigious designation opens doors for international collaboration and brings global attention to Estonia's vibrant musical landscape.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
The beloved Blowup night returns to TMW, bringing its signature fusion of fearless sounds and boundary-pushing artistry to Paavli Kultuurivabrik.
Blowup is a leading independent underground festival, celebrated for its bold curation of international and Finnish artists across post-punk, psychedelic, avant-garde, noise, and metal. The company has earned its reputation through a diverse lineup that showcases both iconic acts and emerging talent—cementing Blowup's status as a purveyor of eclectic, uncompromising experiences.
With its experimental spirit, Blowup draws a passionate audience eager to explore new soundscapes. The TMW 2026 Blowup stage promises an impressive lineup ready to shake the foundations. Stay tuned!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Jon Bon Jovi. Think about him for a moment. And then consider this: Estonia's most notorious record label, kurvad uudised, together with Playground Music, are landing at Tallinn Music Week—the music industry hotspot—in Club D-3 to throw a soirée. When powerhouses of this magnitude collide, certain circles call it "synergy".
kurvad uudised is an Estonian label and then some that regularly occupies at least a third of Estonia's Spotify Top 50, sometimes even the entire Top 10. Playground Music, meanwhile, is the Nordic region's largest independent record company. Both are paradoxes.
For TMW, they've hooked some rather intriguing acts. Who exactly remains a mystery for now, but what's certain is this: guitars will shred, drums will thump, some will sport nose rings, and you'd fancy being there. Just turn up in good faith, good spirits, and clean clothes.
And now, think about Jon Bon Jovi one more time.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Feel the pull of ancient energy meeting cutting-edge technology—where tradition breathes new life through electronic experimentation. Ancestral melodies, folk instruments, and rhythms weave together with modern production, creating something both timeless and utterly contemporary.
From different cultures and worlds, folktronic spirits take the stage—honouring heritage whilst fearlessly exploring new sonic territory. Expect performances where traditional soundscapes are reimagined through synthesizers, samplers, and digital innovation.
Curated by Mari Meentalo and Johannes Ahun from OOPUS, this marks the seventh year of this movement's growing momentum at TMW.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Garden of Eden: Heaven & Hell Rave
Step into a world where light and shadow move as one! On this night, the gates open to the Garden of Eden and the underworld, as heavenly light illuminates the dancefloors of sinners and saints alike.
Expect:
Dare to enter this garden?
Your host Reivile Minuga is a dance music collective and party series that brings timeless classics, bold new sounds, and an unbridled love for nightlife. "Burn, baby, burn," as the disco classic says. "My people, my tribe, my crew," as beloved Estonian trickster Chalice puts it.
Queer-friendly and community-driven, this series celebrates the diversity of dance music at TMW, highlighting different sounds, identities, and forms of expression.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Heavy Music Estonia unleashes the Heavy Music Band Battle under the TMW banner—a full-scale sonic assault where local bands go to war with serious intent!
The grand final brings together Estonia's finest heavier music bands who've fought their way through semi-finals. Joining the four best Estonian acts in this crucible are the winners of Latvia's and Lithuania's Battles—meaning the Baltic region's most formidable outfits will clash in an epic showdown where the audience vote carries weight! This is no joke—last year's victors Pridian and Intrepid are currently conquering stages across Europe and the US!
This combat fulfils three objectives: to storm the gates of major festivals on home turf and foreign ground; to arm bands with strategic intel from music industry officers in Estonia and across the lines; and, naturally, to let bands prove their mettle before the Battle's jury, stacked with field marshals of the music world. The ultimate campaign? To rally our heavy music troops and mobilise the entire scene to fight harder! Victory earns deployment to one of Europe's most formidable strongholds—Poland's legendary Mystic Festival, where the conquering band claims their battle-won pass to the stage.
Made In Baltics offers a meticulously curated showcase of the most noteworthy artists from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania at D3 club.
From pop to more leftfield sounds, from rock stars to troubadours and unmistakable stage personalities with their own unique vision and presence—all of this becomes our celebration and a night of discovery. Made in Baltics!
Legendaarne Raadio is more than a radio station—it's the beating heart and launchpad of Estonia's hip-hop scene, driving the culture both on air and on stage. At Tallinn Music Week, we handpick and unleash the best: those riding Estonia's notorious new wave, those crafting sounds from the old school, and those dwelling in the genre-bending in-between. Naturally, we spice it all up with some international movers.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Glitch Please is a night of experimental electronics exploring IDM, glitch, breakcore, and a dizzying array of hyper-specific subgenres we're too boomer to name. This isn't safe listening—it's brain-melting, genre-dissolving, sonic chaos that plunges deep into the rabbit hole of electronic experimentation. Expect to have your taste rewired and your neurons left shimmering for weeks.
Think you can handle it? Glitch Please. Come find out at TMW!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Nomadic platform Yugofuturism specialises in booking and connecting adventurous acts from Europe's most vibrant scenes, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe.
In 2026, Yugofuturism storms back to TMW for the third time with the VIKENDICA showcase, unleashing a "convoi exceptionnel" of European acts at Telliskivi's F-Hoone. Come celebrate autonomous movers and shakers, rousing rebels, restless souls, and other musical dissidents blazing trails from the Baltics to the Balkans and beyond.
Anywhere else to go? Only other futures. Stay tuned!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Feel the pulse. Experience the vibrant heartbeat and boundless diversity of today's music from Africa and the Afrodiaspora at the Africa NOW! stage at Tallinn Music Week at Paavli Kultuurivabrik.
Africa NOW! shines a spotlight on the explosive new wave emerging from the continent and its diaspora. Afro-descendants worldwide have redefined "world music" clichés and ignited some of the most vital sonic trends planetwide. Expect high-energy performances, powerful voices, deep grooves, and hypnotic rhythms—spanning all that jazz, bold Black punk, adventurous avant-pop, hip-hop, and earth-shaking bass. The atmosphere shifts seamlessly: soulful and intimate one moment, explosively dance-ready the next. A night celebrating creativity, identity, and modern global African culture. Join us for a sonic journey as global as it is deeply rooted.
Africa is NOW!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Funk Embassy has been serving up the goods with one unshakeable formula: booties shaken, souls stirred—since 2016. It's a small miracle there's such a vibrant funk community flourishing in this temperate corner of the world.
One of TMW's most beloved showcases brings once again a meticulously curated palette of funk, soul, disco, R&B, and jazz from across the globe—plus a choice selection from Estonia's own thriving scene. As Funk Embassy celebrates a decade of grooving and moving throughout 2026, everyone's invited to join this special occasion!
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Every summer, the genre-rich festival Võnge appears in a new location—but come spring, it lets audiences catch a whiff of what's to come at Tallinn Music Week. This year, find it at the Club of Different Rooms (Erinevate Tubade Klubi). Expect the signature international and genre-spanning line-up—from indie to pop and beyond.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Jazz Estonia welcomes all TMW jazz lovers to Fotografiska! Experience fresh, high-energy jazz from Estonia and across Europe—a rare and vibrant bouquet of sound where improvisation meets virtuosity!
Another jazz showcase takes place at Fotografiska on Friday, 10th April.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
Estonian Choral Association presents a night of boundary-pushing vocal music at Fotografiska Tallinn. TMW CHORAL CONCERT showcases experimental choral works and fresh perspectives on contemporary singing, offering audiences a glimpse into the innovative edge of Estonia's thriving choral tradition. The Estonian Choral Association unites singers and choirs nationwide, championing both heritage and experimentation in vocal arts.
The concert takes place at Fotografiska’s 2nd floor gallery. At 20:00–21:00, admission only with a ticket to the Estonian Choral Association Presents: TMW Choral Concert.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
I Land Sound brings the sounds, humour and free spirit of Saaremaa straight to the heart of the capital. On the TMW showcase stage, layered electronic journeys meet visual magic and our unique islander vibe. Join an experience as wild and poetic as a sunny night on our home island.
Paavli.CLUB returns to Tallinn Music Week 2026 with its commitment to spotlighting artists who define the edges of club culture.
The series is known for bringing in distinctive voices presenting work that feels ahead of the curve. Previous Paavli.CLUB events have featured the likes of Hudson Mohawke, Tim Reaper, JASSS, umru, Mechatok, Snow Strippers.
From forward-leaning takes on post-club to cutting-edge bass music and trap, the TMW 2026 programme continues to spotlight standout talent at the forefront of contemporary club culture.
Artist line-up to be announced in the second half of January.
