NOVEMBER | FEATURE
Bar played host to a number of rock and metal bands , many from neighbouring countries such as Russia , Lithuania and Finland . Elsewhere , a jazz stage showcased a burgeoning Estonian jazz scene , including a hypnotising free jazz freakout by a band ominously named The Meat .
Fotografiska , a design and arts shop , played host to a folktronica stage on Friday evening . The programme was curated by OOPUS , a trio who delivered one of the musical highlights of the festival . Stationed around a strobe-lit pyramid in the middle of the dancefloor , two members mixed Chemical Brothers-style acid techno
“ We cannot shut music and culture down . We must learn how to adapt and get smarter , to prove we can adapt to the risk .”
while a third raucously played the bagpipes . This unexpected but brilliant combination of the traditional and the modern was representative of Tallin Music Week ’ s lineup – something which the team was very much aiming for , says Ingrid Kohlta , head of PR and communications .
“ We search for and support acts who have their own signature sound and vision - it ’ s not so much about chasing or being in sync with the West ,” she says . “ We have offered a springboard for adventurous music – from all sorts of ‘ now ’ genres , but also from more traditional fields like postclassical , jazz , Estonian trademark choral music and our ever-evolving folk scene . Showcasing Estonian talent is of course one of our core missions since the very beginning of TMW .”
Suppliers and their struggles Although many venues across Tallinn have been cautiously reopened , business has still been sparse for many of Estonia ’ s live industry suppliers .
TMW founder Helen Sildna
RGB Baltics , which supplies lighting to the festival , saw its turnover fall by 100 % in March as all concerts , festivals and conferences in the country were cancelled .
Tauno Antsmäe , partner and project manager at RGB Baltics , says : “ Plans B , C and D had to be thought out quickly . We started preparing solutions for virtual and hybrid events , and as soon as the Estonian government reduced restrictions on 1 May , we were able to start a series of free web concerts in cooperation with the Postimees Group , the largest media group in the Baltics . “ In total , we gave 33 concerts to almost one million spectators in two months . In June , little by little , real physical events began to take place . Turnover has risen step by step , but recovery takes a long time .”
Eigo Sõster is head of Meeskond Security , which worked in closer collaboration with the TMW team than it ever had before to ensure crowds were managed safely . He says : “ The past few months have shown that it is indeed possible to organise events safely , however it also means that the applied measures have to take into account the characteristics of each venue and event . Our hope is that in the future , if further restrictions are applied , they would be precisely targeted and developed in cooperation with event organisers .”
A symbol of resilience The many challenges faced by the organisers and suppliers to Tallinn Music Week did not stop the festival being a resounding success . It was a timely reminder of the power of live music and culture , with a focus on the grassroots venues and artists which are struggling the most during the Covid-19 pandemic .
The resilience of the live industry was encapsulated in one symbolic performance , delivered on the festival ’ s funk stage by soul singer Rita Ray . TMW founder Helen Sildna recalls it as her personal highlight of Tallinn Music Week 2020 : “[ She ] was in the middle of her performance when suddenly there was a power cut , so the sound went off . She walked in front of the stage and started singing acapella .
“ The hall of 600 people went completely silent . Everyone was catching their breath . It was truly powerful , and I still get goosebumps thinking about it . It felt somehow symbolic to the whole year : when everything fails and collapses , you still have yourself and your voice . A beautiful moment .”
36