VÄRTTINÄ

"An Unbeatable "World-Beat" Combination: Traditional Music, Given a Contemporary Twist and a Post-Modern Point of View."

– Rolling Stone

Värttinä are the Crown Jewel of Finnish folk music scene. Their roots are in the Karelia Region of Finland, specifically in women's vocal traditions. Värttinä’s trademark are their Razor-Sharp harmonies sung by powerful Leading Ladies.

The band begun as a children’s project in the village of Rääkkylä near the Russian border. Since their international breakthrough in 1991, Värttinä has toured globally, building a reputation as one of the most inventive ensembles in the contemporary world music arena.

Värttinä are
Susan Aho – Vocals
Mari Kaasinen – Vocals
Karoliina Kantelinen – Vocals
Mikko Hassinen – Percussion
Matti Laitinen – Guitar, Mandocello
Lassi Logrén – Violin, Jouhikko



CONCERTS 2024

Nov 14: Folkelarm, Oslo, Norway
Nov 29: Kannusali, Espoo, Finland
Jul 24: Takinkääntöviikko, Mallusjoki, Finland
Jul 21: CoolHead Brew, Helsinki, Finland
Jul 20: G Livelab Tampere, Finland
Jun 29: Kihaus Festival, Rääkkylä, Finland
Apr 15-19: School Concerts, Finland
Jan 14: Tradicionàrius Festival, Barcelona, Spain

BOOKINGS

United Kingdom:
Access All Areas, Mr. Graham Breakwell, accessallareas@btinternet.com

GAS & Benelux:
A.S.S. Concerts & Promotion gmbh, Mr. Mick Köppe, mick@assconcerts.com

Czech & Slovakia:
Capricorn Promotion, Mr. Stepan Suchochleb, stepan@capricornpromotion.cz

PRESS PHOTOS

Download Press Photos here.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Värttinä Vieraissa ("Värttinä Wandering")
Värttinä has prepared a special show mainly for their domestic market in Finland. These concerts are a rare opportunity to hear Värttinä perform cover songs. They perform their own takes on well-known Finnish pop & rock songs, most of them made famous by female artists.

Värttinä feat. Paleface
In one of their recent projects, Värttinä are accompanied by male vocals by Finnish rapper Paleface, bringing an energetic injection to Värttinä’s traditional sound. Värttinä feat. Paleface was launched internationally at Sziget Festival 2018.

Värttinä with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra
UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra is one of the best professional big bands in Europe, possibly in the world. Arranger-wizard Mikko Hassinen arranged Värttinä songs for UMO, and the project was launched at Savoy Theater, Helsinki in 2018.

Trips to Viena Karelia
Värttinä’s latest studio album ”Viena” was inspired by the trip the group made to the Viena Karelian folklore villages in Russia, where they had unique encounters with the last surviving "runo singers" in the region. These singers are the last living connection to a culture that is thousands of years old, and out of which for instance the Kalevala folk poetry tradition was born. During their journey, Värttinä enjoyed remarkable nature experiences, which have also inspired the album. The ”Viena" album is a tribute to Värttinä’s Viena Karelian musical roots.

Symphonic Värttinä
The concept of Värttinä collaborating with a symphony orchestra was an original idea of Finnish conductor Hannu Koivula. The next step was to find an arranger who would treat Värttinä’s music right. Someone who knew how to respect the Carelian musical heritage the band draws upon, and to boldly expand its boundaries. Composer Tapio Tuomela was given the task. He later said it was the perfect job, a dream-come-true for an arranger, to be able to work with so unique and beautiful yet complex material. These unique pieces of art have been performed together with e.g. City Orchestras of Joensuu and Vaasa, Tapiola Sinfonietta and BBC Concert Orchestra.

Lord Of The Rings – The Musical
Värttinä co-composed music for the stage adaptation of The Lord of the Rings together with A.R.Rahman and Christopher Nightingale. The musical premiered in Toronto in 2006 and in London West End in 2007. Värttinä still perform some of their LOTR songs, usually as part of Symphonic Värttinä shows.