Four top-notch Finnish acts will perform at the WOMEX 2019 opening concert Arctic Fire - Pohjoiset tulet in Tampere in October.

This year's opening concert of WOMEX World Music Expo 2019, held in Finland for the first time, showcases the versatility of Finnish world music. The stars of the opening show on Wednesday 23 October 2019 are Pauanne, Pekko Käppi, Suistamon Sähkö and Vildá. The concert is named Arctic Fire – Pohjoiset tulet.

Yoik, ethno techno, traditional instruments and archive tape

Pauanne, a trio who released their debut album this year, combines their modern folk sound with archive tapes over one hundred years old, featuring spells of Northern healers and Karelian cattle calls. Pekko Käppi, who will perform solo at the WOMEX opening ceremony, is known as a reformer of the traditional string instrument jouhikko (bowed lyre), as well as a charismatic frontman with his folk rock band K:H:H:L, and a versatile composer, producer and music researcher.

Vildá is a duo of vocalist, yoiker, charismatic performer Hildá Länsman and accordion virtuoso Viivi Maria Saarenkylä, whose blend of indigenous Sámi yoiks, grooving rhythms and improvisation is inspired by Sámi people's close connection to nature and present-day pop. The energetic folktronica act Suistamon Sähkö are a four-piece band inspired by Karelian villages, folk poetry, hip hop, toy instruments – and manic dance moves.

The concert is staged and directed by internationally noted choreographer, flamenco dancer Kaari Martin together with composer, musician, producer Roni Martin, renowned for their ensemble Compañía Kaari & Roni Martin. The opening concert will be broadcast live on Yle Teema. 

Northern music expertise will be also present at WOMEX's regional showcase stage, whose performers will be from the Nordic and Baltic countries this year. Also the highly competed Official WOMEX Showcase selection features Finnish colors, Duo Emilia Lajunen & Suvi Oskala.

Womex brings the international world music scene to Tampere

The 25th annual Folk and World Music Professional event and showcase festival WOMEX World Music Expo will be held in Tampere on 23-27. October.

WOMEX – The World Music Expo is one of the most important international music conferences, with nearly 3,000 professionals coming from over 90 countries each year. At the heart of the event is the showcase festival, during which dozens of international top performers will play on seven stages. The trade fair is the buzzy meeting point of world music agents, promoters and other gatekeepers. The program also includes a multifaceted conference, DJ nights and a film series. In addition to the opening concert, Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle will broadcast, broadcast and record several other WOMEX concerts. 

 The main Finnish organizer of WOMEX is Rockadillo Production, and the strategic partner of the event is Music Finland. The main venue of WOMEX is Tampere-talo, a major conference and concert centre, which will host the trade fair as well as a the opening concert and some of the Showcase stages.