Tickets bought at the Kaustinen showcase-in an international showcase

AXVY Photographer: Mårten Hillbom

Eva Väljaots Photo by Kata Treimann

Nooli Photo by Neea Lamminmäki

The 2019 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival showcase performers are Swedish AXVY, Estonian Eva Väljaots and Finnish Nooli. ”We again received a large number of applications, so we are very pleased. We were particularly pleased to see an increase in international interest among the applicants, and the selection was very diverse in this respect,” says Anne-Mari Hakamäki, the festival's programme director.

AXVYThe music of Mårten Hillbom, Jerker Hans-Ers and Albin Broberg is guaranteed Scandinavian polish. The band's polkas, waltzes and sotis roll with 5-string and hardanger violin, 12-string guitar, cittern and percussion, inspired by bluish fells and forest streams.

Currently studying at the Sibelius Academy of Music as a trumpet player Eva Väljaots plays both Estonian and Finnish kanteles of different sizes. His improvisational and meditative playing is inspired by Karelian and Estonian historical kantele styles and the world view that has been handed down with them.

Noolin Oona Harju and Jonna Lankinen have deep roots in the Nordic folk music tradition, which is expressed in upbeat rallies, intoxicating solos and delicate waltzes. The swing produced by groovy harmonies and energetic violin tuning is guaranteed to get under the listener's feet.