Record-Breaking 2,200 Artists Apply to Play Tallinn Music Week 2026

 Next spring’s Tallinn Music Week (TMW) is already breaking records. Nearly 2,200 artists from 134 countries have applied to perform at the Baltic-Nordic region’s leading new music showcase, marking the festival’s biggest international response to date.

The 18th edition of TMW will take place in the Estonian capital from 9–12 April 2026, bringing together a handpicked lineup of around 175 emerging acts selected from the global pool of applicants.

Leading the submissions are the United Kingdom (362 artists), Estonia (198) and Finland (173), followed by a strong showing from France, Italy, and Canada. Newcomers to the top 20 include Ireland, which entered the list for the first time, and there’s growing interest from as far afield as Barbados and Madagascar.

“We’re absolutely delighted with yet another record number of artist applications,” said Eva Johanna Lepikov, Executive Producer of TMW. “It shows how much the platform is valued both at home and abroad. The level of candidates this time is really impressive — full of surprises and discoveries. Now it’s our job to build a fresh, relevant, and exciting programme.”

The surge follows a year-on-year rise in international visibility for TMW, which last year drew 1,791 applicants from 106 countries. Since its launch in 2009, TMW has built a reputation as a launchpad for “tomorrow’s music, arts and ideas”, mixing showcases, conferences, and city-wide performances across clubs, galleries, and concert halls. The event attracts around 18,000 attendees and 1,300 music industry delegates annually.

Festival and PRO passes for TMW 2026 are on sale now, priced at €69 (festival) and €200 (PRO), offering access to performances, talks, and networking events throughout the city. Head to their Website for more information.