International Music Festival Tartu Punch Opens Doors This Weekend

Tartu is hosting its first international music festival, Tartu Punch, bringing together 31 artists and DJs from across Europe over two days. The programme features Swedish post-punk sensation Viagra Boys alongside Estonian stars Tommy Cash and Rita Ray. Festival organizer Tarmo Sikk hopes the event will have a long future and establish Tartu as one of Northern Europe's most exciting music cities.

Tartu is hosting its first international music festival, Tartu Punch, this weekend, which promises to significantly enrich the city's cultural calendar. The festival aims to bring to Tartu artists normally seen on the major festival stages across Europe.

Strong International Line-up

Over two festival days, a total of 31 artists and DJs will perform across three stages: the Punch Club main stage, the Paavli.Live stage, and the Red Bull DJ stage. International headliners include Swedish post-punk sensation Viagra Boys, French electronic music phenomenon Mezerg, Brit Awards Critics' Choice winner Jack Garratt from the UK, as well as Baxter Dury, Oscar Jerome and Adult DVD. Also performing are Yin Yin from the Netherlands, Pearly Drops from Finland, Rick Feds and Eklektika from Latvia, and juni from Italy.

Among Estonian artists on the bill are Tommy Cash, Rita Ray with a string orchestra and special guest Vaiko Eplik, Night Tapes (Estonia/UK), Holy Motors, Frankie Animal, EiK, maria kallastu, SADU, Yasmyn, Fonda, GØK2 and Mihkel Kuusk. HU? will make its only summer performance at the festival.

Urban Programme and Discussions

Both festival days begin with an urban programme featuring live performances at various locations throughout Tartu. On Friday, alternative electronic indie-pop band su/mi will perform on the promenade in front of Alexela Creative Stage at 1:30 pm, and electronic pop artist heleenyum will perform between the columns of the University of Tartu main building at the same time. On Saturday, Säde Semper and Araukaaria will take the stage at Barclay Square, and Beer Gardens will feature performances at Koidula Square.

Running parallel to the main programme, discussions on music industry, festival culture, nightlife and Tartu's cultural future will take place at the Piletitasku Talk Arena. The conversations will be moderated by music entrepreneur Reigo Ahven, Jazzkaari executive director Eva Saar, ERR journalist Anett Peel and Tartu city's culture department head Kristiina Avik.

The City Supports the Festival

Tartu Mayor Urmas Klaas said the arrival of the new music festival in Tartu is highly anticipated. "Tartu Punch brings us quality international music programming at home, making Tartu's summer cultural calendar even more attractive. Hopefully, this festival has a long and exciting future ahead."

Festival organizer Tarmo Sikk is convinced that Tartu has all the conditions to become one of Northern Europe's most exciting music cities. "Tartu Punch's goal is to bring to Tartu artists you normally encounter on Europe's major festival stages and to create a weekend where the entire city breathes in rhythm with the music. Before the first festival, excitement is high and we are doing everything to ensure that visitors leave with a desire to return next year," Sikk said.

The festival gates will open both days at 2 pm and programming will run until midnight. After the concerts, official after-parties will take place at Vallikraat, Shooters club and Vilde and Vines. Festival, day, youth and family passes are on sale at Piletitasku.