Puuluup Headlining the Etno-Espa Club Night: Borderless Folk Music in Helsinki August 11

On August 11, 2026, Hietsu Paviljonki invites you to a unique musical experience as part of the renowned Etno-Espa festival series in Helsinki. The club night, which offers free admission and is open to all, is visited by two acclaimed Nordic folk acts: the internationally recognized Estonian band Puuluup and Finland's own Happy Girls (Iloiset tytöt).

Folk in New Directions: Puuluup's Innovative Expression

The evening's headliner is Puuluup, which in recent years has captivated audiences across Europe and Canada. The duo, consisting of Marko Veisson and Ramo Teder, achieved broad international exposure with their performance in the Eurovision Song Contest final in 2024. Puuluup stands at the forefront of acoustic folk innovation, with deep roots in Estonian tradition. The band weaves traditional tones from the talharpa (bowed lyre) with modern looping technology, where influences from Nordic string and folk traditions, blues, punk, and world music are seamlessly blended into their compositions. The result is music that is both down-to-earth and exploratory, often with lyrics containing unexpected humor and references to everything from wind power to skiing adventures.

The performance in Helsinki marks a welcome return for Puuluup, who since their debut at Etno-Espa in 2016 have gained a devoted Finnish audience. Their performances are distinguished by virtuosity and playfulness, creating a stage presence that both engages and surprises. For anyone who appreciates innovative folk music and imaginative instrumental arrangements, Puuluup's evening is an obvious summer highlight.

In Estonia, Puuluup has attracted thousands of visitors to major festivals such as the Viljandi Folk Music Festival and stands out both in the studio and on stage. The group underscores Etno-Espa's commitment to bringing together Baltic-Finnic traditions and offering both the old and the new.

The evening opens with Happy Girls (Iloiset tytöt), a folk music group from Savonlinna formed in 2012. The group is known for their creative play with voices and instruments as well as, with a dash of musical anarchy, offering audiences joyful and surprising performances. During the summer, Happy Girls have toured extensively throughout Finland, from Varkaus to Kajaani and Kaustinen.

The club night at Hietsu Paviljonki starts at 19:30 with Happy Girls, followed by Puuluup on stage at 20:45. The Embassy of Estonia in Helsinki will also participate in the evening's event, further strengthening the festival's international and diplomatic profile.

Etno-Espa 2026 is now taking place for the 22nd year in a row and runs between August 3 and 12 with concerts at both the Espa stage (Eteläesplanadi 1) and Hietsu Paviljonki. The festival highlights Baltic-Finnic musical heritage and instruments such as the jouhikko (bowed lyre) and kantele as well as repertoire inspired by influences from India, Africa, and the Jazz Finland 100th anniversary.

• On August 11, there will be daytime concerts on the Espa stage: Liisa Matveinen & Tellu Turkka at 16:00 and Mikko H. Haapoja at 17:15, before the club night continues at Hietsu Paviljonki.
• All concerts, including the club night on August 11, are free and open to the public.

For music lovers and families, Etno-Espa's club night featuring Puuluup is a folk journey filled with creativity, humor, and tradition – a testament to Helsinki's role as a vibrant hub in today's Nordic folk music scene.