Three new Finnish acts added!

Three new reasons to start counting down the days – Ilosaarirock welcomes one exclusive performance and two hugely anticipated Finnish artists to summer’s best weekend!

One of next summer’s standout moments at Laulurinne will be a rare one-off collaboration as acclaimed Finnish alternative artist Arppa takes the stage alongside the Joensuu City Orchestra. The latest programme additions also include two of the most in-demand domestic names of the season: the elusive rap artist ibe, who rarely tours, and Lauri Haav, currently shaping the sound of modern Finnish rap, pop and R&B.

Known for charting his own course within Finnish indie music, Arppa (Aaro Airola) has built a catalogue that refuses to sit still. Entirely self-taught and recently returned to independent production with his latest album Peppuni kanssa, Arppa moves freely between genres – drawing equally from jazz, rock, schlager, folk, pop and funk – while remaining unmistakably himself.

At Ilosaarirock, Arppa’s band, featuring Ville-Veikko Airaniemi, Eero Seppä and Okko Saastamoinen, will be joined on stage by the 35-piece Joensuu City Orchestra, with orchestral arrangements conducted by Mikko Pellinen.

– We’ve wanted to bring Arppa to the Ilosaarirock stage with a full orchestra ever since we first heard Mikko Pellinen’s incredible arrangements of the band’s music. The Joensuu City Orchestra, meanwhile, is a familiar presence at the festival – almost an Ilosaarirock institution of its own, and not one we’re keen to ever part with. Bringing Arppa and the orchestra together felt like a natural fit, and we couldn’t be more excited," says our promoter Panu.

Following a recently sold-out show at Veikkaus Arena, ibe arrives at Ilosaarirock as part of a major summer festival run. Widely praised for the scope and versatility of his catalogue, ibe manages to offer something for every kind of listener without ever slipping into the empty promise of “something for everyone”. His sharp, inventive lyricism and instantly gripping beats paint the picture of an artist who is both accessible and enigmatic – playful and self-aware, yet deeply serious about his craft.

From the very start of his career, Lauri Haav has stood out as a distinctive storyteller and performer. Effortlessly blending elements of modern R&B, rap and pop, his music ends up occupying a lane of its own. Haav’s lyrics balance the personal with the timeless, while his unmistakable flow has carried him to the front lines of where new movements in Finnish music begin. Put simply: while others do what they dare, Lauri Haav does what he wants. Most recently, he made headlines by selling out the biggest show of his career – set for Nokia Arena next November – in a record-breaking two and a half minutes.

Previously announced artists for Ilosaarirock include Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter (UK), Auri, Beast In Black, emma & matilda, HOKKA, Komiat, KUUMAA, Vesala and Vilma Jää. More programme announcements will be made throughout the winter and spring.