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Espa Stage, which rises in Helsinki’s Esplanadi Park each summer, will bring more than 300 free concerts and performances to the city when its 3.5-month programme kicks off on Friday May 15.
On opening day, the stage will host contemporary folk group Kajos, cinematic dark pop artist Viia and Sounds of South America, which will transport audiences into the world of Latin American music.
This is one of Helsinki’s biggest cultural programmes of the summer season, with performances taking place an average of five days a week right through to the end of August. The line-up effortlessly blends genres from contemporary folk and indie to jazz and electronic music, alongside children’s concerts and schlager.
In May, the programme launches in style with the police department’s 200th anniversary concert, plus gigs from Liinoja, Ahvenlahti and Bomba Buena. June sees performances from INGINMAA, leading names in Sámi music and colourful programmes for Pride and Helsinki Day, while July continues with indie pop, love songs and events for the whole family. In August, Espa Stage transforms into a festival hub with Jazz-Espa and Etno-Espa, culminating in Night of the Arts and the summer’s closing concerts.
Alongside the concerts, the summer programme also includes community singalongs, military bands and Open Stage nights for emerging artists – meaning the city’s shared living room will once again be open throughout the summer.