Curly Strings, The Crosslegs, Les Rats d'Swompe • Estonian Music Week 2025

A countryside dance party in the heart of the city.

Nordic bluegrass meets Franco-Ontarian folklore meets Irish-inspired folk rock for one unforgettable night. 

Curly Strings (EST)

Bold bluegrass renovators. Curly Strings is an acoustic four-piece band that draws its inspiration from their own personal heritage in the current Estonian cultural space. Intense and playful ensemble work paired with a sincere presentation of their original music forms the main basis of Curly Strings’ soundscape. The band’s rise in the Estonian music scene in 2013 was a phenomenon unlike any other: a folk music artist became mainstream by collecting national music awards and being the top seller in music stores for more than a year. They bring their unique Baltic take to the acoustic music world in combining the familiar with the unfamiliar, having catchy heartfelt songwriting side-by-side with folk music aesthetics, making them an exciting act to look out for.

The Crosslegs (EST)

Energetic folk rock with an Irish flair. The Crosslegs formed in Tartu in 2016 when a group of childhood friends united to make music together. The five-member ensemble brings together distinct personalities who complement each other both on and off stage. Their sound blends modern folk-rock with Irish influences, radiating youthful energy, poetic sensibility, and romantic spirit - all powered by genuine camaraderie and the pure joy of collective music-making.

Les Rats d'Swompe (CAN)

Introducing people to the sound of the traditional violin, call and response songs, and the musicality of the yesteryear. Originally from Northern and Eastern Ontario, Les Rats d'Swompe are proud French Canadians, brought together to introduce people to the sound of the traditional violin, the call and response songs and the musicality of yesteryear. Based in Ottawa, Les Rats d'Swompe are five plaid lumberjacks who take the stage to fuse elements of rock, traditional, pop and punk. These young but experienced musicians are one of the few groups to bring Franco-Ontarian folklore to life. A high energy act that will make you want to sing and dance.

Doors open: 7pm
Show starts: 8pm

Estonian Music Week 2025 festival

This concert is part of the Estonian Music Week (EMW) festival programme running May 22-25. Experience it all with a Festival Pass - 8 concerts from incredible Estonian and Canadians artists. Learn more about festival passes. With performances from folktronica to contemporary classical music, EMW is sure to become your new favourite early-summer music festival. Explore the line-up here.

EMW is made possible by:

Project:

VEMU, Tartu College

Major funder:

Estonian Foundation of Canada

Funders:

Toronto Arts Council, Estonian Embassy in Ottawa, Cultural Endowment of Estonia

Sponsors:

Northern Birch Credit Union

Presenting Partners:

SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival, Wavelength, Humber Polytechnic's Centre for Creative Business Innovation, The Cotton Factory

Media Partners:

Eesti Elu, Exclaim!, WholeNote

Ticketing Partner:

Sviby