Estonia's capital will be filled with tomorrow's music, arts, and ideas from 3-5 April, when Tallinn Music Week (TMW) will bring together over 200 finest musical talents from across the globe. A special spotlight will shine on the musical creativity flowing from the Baltic states, with 13 boundary-pushing acts from Lithuania and Latvia continuing the rich tradition of cultural exchange that has defined TMW since its inception in 2009.
A Celebration of Shared Baltic Legacy
The relationship between TMW and its Baltic neighbors runs deep. Lithuania's presence at the festival dates back to the very first edition in 2009, when MTV-endorsed electro-rockers Happyendless performed at TMW. Over the years, Lithuanian acts have captured the hearts of TMW audiences, while the retro-futurist outfit Superkoloritas claimed last year's TMW Selektor Studio Award. Similarly, Latvia has been woven into the fabric of TMW from the beginning - from established stadium stars like Brainstorm to young sensations such as Sudden Lights and dozens of adventurous acts presented by Skanu Mežs and Positivus festivals. Beyond the music itself, TMW celebrates the cultural bonds - these common heritage threads weave through the performances across Tallinn, embodying the bold spirit that makes the Balts stand out.
Raw Power & Digital Dreams
The Cindy & Kate showcase at Kivi Paber Käärid pub emerges as the essential TMW hotspot for cutting-edge Baltic talent, featuring a diverse lineup of acts who forge alternative pathways in our algorithm-dominated era.
Lithuania's post-punk outfit Abuses will deliver their apocalyptic vision born from boredom and literary influences like J.G. Ballard. Their thick bass lines and smeary guitars create an anxiety-inducing trance that transforms into excellently produced tinnitus. Sharing the same stage, Latvia's indie dance act Bel Tempo balances dusty electronic beats with anthemic storytelling, drawing comparisons to Baxter Dury, whilst synth-rock duo OIL X GAS transform Kivi Paber Käärid into a hybrid techno-rock club with their thunderous fusion of roaring synthesizers and relentless beats. Fresh from performances at Jack White's Third Man Records in London, they're set to deliver one of the festival's most energetic sets. Lithuanian NIKA GANGA will bite back with a blend of R&B, neo-soul, and jazz, promising to transport listeners to another soothing soundscape.
Elsewhere, Lithuanian post-punk duo Kyla Vėjas! brings pulsating synths and driving basslines to Paavli Live. Having quickly gained momentum, they've already supported UK post-punk outfit The KVB—marking them as ones to watch for anyone with a penchant for moody, atmospheric soundscapes. Latvian grunge-inspired rockers All in Measure, "a quartet of shaggy-haired outcasts," will show their guts at Uus Laine, a beloved community bar near Baltic Railway Station that embodies the quintessential alternative vibe.
For a more eclectic experience, catch Latvian German Superfin at the Võnge Festival Stage. This vibrant trumpet player and sound producer blends electronic noise with catchy pop choruses to create a truly bohemian atmosphere reminiscent of those too-cool-for-school noir films that haunt your favourite arthouse cinema.
For those seeking late-night immersion, Paavli Club Night welcomes Sirdsapes (Latvian for "heartache") with his signature hyper-breaks subgenre, fusing golden age breakbeat, distorted grooves, and futuristic-rhythms—essential for anyone who cherishes that 4 a.m. warehouse party vibe. Meanwhile, ONEGIN, the alter ego of Lithuanian interdisciplinary artist Karolis Lasys, brings his audio-visual set to the Dreamscape festival night, aiming to invite the audience to embrace sound on a deeper level through piercing, sludgy, deconstructed rhythms and organic percussion. Expect a transcendental experience that blurs the boundaries between consciousness and subconsciousness!
Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Jazz enthusiasts should head to the Jazz Estonia showcase, where Lithuania's innovative RAVENJAZZ will perform. This project by Vilnius JJAZZ Ensemble merges traditional jazz with sensory percussion and live sound processing, blending electronic dance rhythms and rave influences with improvisational jazz to create energetic, experimental compositions.
Elektroninės Sutartinės add an innovative fusion of UNESCO-recognised Lithuanian polyphonic folk songs and contemporary electronic textures—a perfect marriage of ancient wisdom and future-forward production.
Perhaps most emblematic of the Baltic cultural fusion are The Baltic Sisters, performing at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival Stage. This international ensemble, formed at WOMEX in Lisbon, originally focused on sutartinės (ancient Lithuanian multipart songs) but has expanded to include traditional music from all three Baltic states, creating a pan-Baltic sonic experience that transcends borders.
More info: tmw.ee/passes-and-tickets">tmw.eeFestival passes and showcase night tickets: shop.tmw.ee