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Music Latvia, Music Estonia and the Lithuanian Music Business Association are set to present the first-ever Baltic Focus programme at Ireland Music Week (IMW) in October 2025. The programme features three artists – mariin k. from Estonia, Plié from Lithuania and Vultura from Latvia – alongside a delegation of over 20 Baltic music industry players.

Baltic Focus at IMW highlights the diverse music markets of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, bringing emerging Baltic artists to perform in Dublin on 2 October alongside dedicated Baltic industry panel and networking sessions. The initiative aims to connect the region’s talent with international music industry professionals, share insights into each county’s markets and scenes, and foster cultural ties between the Baltics and Ireland.

Estonian talent is represented by dream pop outfit mariin k., carving out space in the shoegaze revival with cascading reverb, their recent debut album rose skin earning praise as “a lush, introspective journey.” Latvia presents electronic artist Vultura, blending drum ‘n’ bass with art pop and darkwave on award-winning Not Your Typical Fairytale, recognised as one of the country’s biggest musical surprises. Lithuanian Plié bring to Dublin relentless hardcore assault embellished with industrial and avant garde influences, their hypnotic live performances awakening animalistic energy at major European showcases.

“We are thrilled to see Ireland Music Week host a dedicated Baltic Focus at this year’s festival,” says Agnese Cimuška-Rekke, Executive Director at Music Latvia and Project Lead of Baltic Focus at IMW. “This is a significant moment for our region, offering a unique opportunity to showcase Baltic talent on an international stage. With the support of the Baltic Culture Fund and the embassies of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, this initiative highlights the strength of regional collaboration and our shared ambition to connect Baltic music with the wider world.” 

IMW Director Angela Dorgan welcomes the initiative: “We are excited to welcome artists and professionals from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to IMW 2025, and we hope they will benefit from the international line-up of buyers and open collaboration opportunities with Irish artists. We are also looking forward to welcoming more music lovers from the Baltics who live here and hope they enjoy this glimpse into the level of emerging talent back home.”

The Baltic Focus programme is a joint effort of Music Latvia, Music Estonia and the Lithuanian Music Business Association. Core partners in Estonia are Tallinn Music Week and e-Residency, media partner is Postimees Culture. Core partners in Latvia are Riga Music Week and Every Little Thing, media partner is LSM – Public Broadcasting of Latvia. Core partners in Lithuania are What’s Next in Music?, media partner is LRT – Lithuanian National Radio and Television.

The initiative is supported by the Baltic Culture Fund, Estonian Embassy in Dublin, Embassy of Latvia in Ireland and Embassy of Lithuania in Ireland.