Riga Music Week organizers announced 28 initial artists from eight countries for the upcoming festival scheduled for November 4 and 5 across seven venues in the Tallinas ielas kvartālā. The second-year festival drew 1,126 artist applications from 89 countries, reaching as far as Melbourne, Australia, according to festival organizers.
Global Artist Lineup and International Reach
The festival received applications from artists located approximately 16,000 kilometers away in Melbourne, Australia. Festival organizers attribute the broad international interest partly to Estonian artist NOËP touring Australia and mentioning Riga, alongside similar international touring by Baltic acts like Tautumeitas. Among the first 28 announced performers, Estonian group SADU brings substantial streaming numbers after their 2025 debut album “Probleemid Paradiisis” surpassed 10 million streams and earned three Estonian Music Awards for Album of the Year, Band of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Lithuanian group Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys brings theatrical performances combining Balkan music, reggae, post-punk, and polka, while French singer Elle Valenci features her hit “Perfect Blue,” which crossed 30 million streams on music platforms. Additional international acts include Estonian producer and guitarist Raul Ojamaa and Berlin-based electronic music producer JKLN.
Domestic Headliners and Local Talent Showcase
Latvian artists anchor a significant portion of the final program across the festival’s seven stages. Producer and performer Might Delete Later, also known as Anna Madara Pērkone or Annna, joins the lineup after performing on stages at Tomorrowland and Sziget and winning the Gamma award as Latvia’s top music export hope. Marta, whose song “Villain of the Day” from her latest album played on BBC Radio 1, joins the bill following her recent showcase at the Spīķeri Concert Hall ahead of her upcoming appearance at the Eurosonic Noorderslag conference. Additional domestic performers include electronic pop duets, instrumental jazz acts, rap artists, folk trios, neo-schlager programs, and alternative rock groups such as Tribes Of The City and Stūrī Zēvele.
Industry Conference and Digital Discoverability Focus
The two-day event runs alongside the Riga Music Week industry conference, bringing together representatives from European festivals, concert venues, and music media. Program partners include Summer Sound, I Love You record company, Bobe, Sofar Sounds, TVNET, Still Figure, and Every Little Thing. The conference centers on findings from the European Commission study “Study on the Discoverability of Diverse European Cultural Content in the Digital Environment,” examining how digital platforms, algorithms, and recommendation systems impact the visibility of European cultural content. Organizers state that the event approaches discoverability across the entire music ecosystem alongside a technology exhibition and musician bazaar.
Did you know?
86.7% of the 1,126 artists who applied to perform at Riga Music Week had never previously considered visiting Riga.
Frequently Asked Questions About Riga Music Week
When and where will Riga Music Week take place?
The festival takes place on November 4 and 5 across seven stages located in the Tallinas ielas kvartālā.
How many artists are performing at the festival?
Organizers have announced an initial 28 artists, with the final lineup expanding to more than 50 groups and solo performers across the event.
Can concert-goers attend performances separately from the conference?
Yes, concerts for listeners will be accessible separately from the conference, allowing attendees to move between all seven stages in one evening.
What is the main theme of the RMW conference?
The conference focuses on the discoverability of diverse European cultural content in the digital environment, examining how algorithms and streaming platforms influence audience reach for smaller markets.
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