This 17th edition of one of Europe’s most vital new talent festivals will showcase talent across Tallinn’s emerging cultural districts, including Telliskivi Creative City, Noblessner, and Kopli, with performances spanning genres from Finno-Ugric traditional music to global digipop, jazz, contemporary classical, choral and modern fusion styles.
Artists from Europe, North and South America, East Asia, Africa, and Australia will perform across 28 showcase nights, with Finland leading the lineup of international acts (22 artists), followed by the UK (10), Sweden (9), Germany (7), and Canada, France, Latvia and Lithuania (6 each).
True to its Estonian roots, this year’s TMW is presenting 76 domestic acts, including notable names such as recent winners of the Music Moves Europe Award dream pop band Night Tapes and accordion innovator Tuulikki Bartosik performing with the supergroup The Rocket alongside Swedish jazz luminary Svante Söderqvist’s trio. Other internationally acclaimed Estonian artists include globe-trotting folk luminaries Puuluup, Mari Kalkun, and Duo Ruut, electronic art pop mavericks Ajukaja & Mart Avi, vocal jazz virtuosos Estonian Voices and Motovilov Trio, now part of Warner Classics.
Among the current trendsetters of the local music scene are the spicy queer pop sensation White Girl, young multi-talent boipepperoni, vintage estrada soul renovators Haldi & ans Flamingo, R&B’s new voice INGA, the finalist of the national Eurovision Song Contest selection Marta Lotta, Borm Bubu, juggling bedroom punk and jazz fusion, and Kännu Peal Käbi, crafting songs in Uralic languages.
Among the standout international performers are Swedish-American country legend Anthony Mills, who’s worked with Harry Belafonte, Amy Winehouse, and KRS-One, while Finland’s PK Keränen, with his project The Moontwins, offers a refreshing take on indie music. Berlin’s avant-garde duo hackedepicciotto and Welsh electro-pop artist and producer Ani Glass bring innovative compositions, while Guinea’s Abdoulaye Kouyaté fuses afropop with jazz in a mesmerising blend of styles.
Other international highlights include Annael, the award-winning musician and model from France; the German electronic jazz ensemble Salome; and the Czech noise rock group Sinks. Palestinian activist Bashar Murad adds his politically charged vocal performances, while UK-based Vulva Voce reimagines the string quartet. From Mexico, the enigmatic Muxxxe pushes the boundaries of reggaeton with bold live shows, while Iceland’s Oyama creates lo-fi melodies that resonate with raw emotional energy. Parisian collective SARAB blends Arabic music with jazz and rock, and Tanzanian duo Sisso & Maiko infuse Singeli’s rapid rhythms with powerful social commentary. The lineup also features breakthrough acts from ESNS25, including the Danish trio Smag På Dig Selv, who electrify with a fusion of punk, jazz, pop, and hip hop; Norwegian dream-pop project Yndling; Slovak post-punks Berlin Manson; and the art-pop innovators Lucy Dreams, whose performances combine an AI talent named Lucy with two Austrian musicians.
The showcase nights are curated by TMW’s established partners and a new wave of voices. UNESCO Music City Tallinn presents Sounds of the Cities, highlighting artists from global music cities in the heart of Estonia’s capital. New curatorial partners include Sweden’s ÅÄÖ…Sounds, local label Kurvad Uudised, and Roots Session, inspired by legacy genres. Additional partners include Backstage Records, along with Tallinn’s Dreamscape and Reivile Minuga series, which spotlight experimental electronic and dance music respectively.
Among the Estonian promoters contributing to the lineup of TMW25 are the world renowned Viljandi Folk Music Festival, Võnge festival, Station Narva festival, Estonian Choral Association, the Jazz Union, NPO Fenno-Ugria and the Heavy Music Association. Returning favourites include the Funk Embassy party, the Folktronica stage, Africa NOW!, Laine Live, and Soda Pop nights, alongside Paavli Culture Factory’s vibrant club and live series.
International collaborators play a pivotal role, including the acclaimed Classical:NEXT showcase, the Dutch agency Yugofuturism, which supports musical dissidents from Central and Eastern Europe, and the Baltic culture network Cindy & Kate, each adding their unique flavour. Finland’s contribution includes the European Capital of Culture Oulu2026, in partnership with Estonian event unda, and the celebrated Blowup dark music festival. The Made in Canada night highlights rising stars from the the Maple Leaf country, while JV-Promotion showcases Taiwan’s emerging talent.
