News

At a ceremonial gala evening held on Wednesday, March 4, at Unibet Arena, the winners of the Estonian Music Industry Awards (EMEA) 2026 were announced. Awards were presented in 28 categories, including five special awards. The recognitions honored individuals and companies for their significant contributions to the development and advancement of the music sector.

Ave Sophia Demelemester, CEO of Music Estonia and head of the cross-sector awards jury, said:

“For the Estonian music industry, 2025 was a successful and internationally vibrant year—from the 90th anniversary year of Arvo Pärt to performances by A-class stars in Estonia. Our companies operated across the Baltics, facilitated hundreds of performances in Estonia and abroad, and collaborated with reputable record labels, publishers, and agencies. This year, more than a hundred deserving candidates were nominated from among our companies and people.”

The gala evening was hosted by Heldur Harry Põlda. Performers included artists of the 2025 EMEA laureates: RETI, maria kallastu, ALIKA, Clicherik, and OOPUS. The atmosphere was set by DJ Tom Lilienthal.

This Year’s Laureates

Radio Station of the Year
Legendaarne Raadio

Media Channel of the Year
Areen (culture section of Eesti Ekspress)

Music Journalist of the Year
Aleksander Algo

Music Marketing and/or Communications Achievement of the Year
Communication for the Arvo Pärt 90 theme year by the Arvo Pärt Centre

Manager of the Year
Britt Randma

Music Retailer of the Year
Terminal Records & Bar

Music Synchronization Achievement of the Year
Raul Ojamaa’s original music for the Netflix series “No One Saw Us Leave”

Music Producer / Production Company of the Year
kurvad uudised records

Music Producer of the Year
Frederik Küüts

Songwriter of the Year
Emili Jürgens

Mixing Engineer of the Year
Vallo Kikas

Recording Engineer of the Year
José Diogo Neves

Concert Venue of the Year
Põlva Cultural Centre

Music Event of the Year
Station Narva

Music Event Organizer of the Year
Live Nation Estonia

Music Event Project Manager of the Year
Taavi Randoja

Sound Engineer of the Year
Otto-Karl Vendt

Lighting Designer of the Year
Mihkel Viinalass

Technical Partner of the Year
RGB Baltic

Support Services Partner of the Year
Krall Music

Album Artwork of the Year
The Boondocks – “Silver Buzz”
Designer: Villem Sarapuu, cover photo: Nora Schmelter

Design for a Music Event of the Year
KiKuMu
Designer: Allan Appelberg

Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Roman Demtšenko

Music Company of the Year
Live Nation Estonia

Music Exporter of the Year
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Most Music-Friendly Company
Coop

Special Awards

Outstanding Contribution to the Estonian Music Sector
Peep Veedla

Special Thanks – Contribution to the Music Sector
Tiia Teder – 30 years of Klassikaraadio

Special Thanks – Contribution to the Music Sector
Universal Music Estonia

Special Thanks – Contribution to the Music Sector
Gülnar Murumägi

Music Estonia Special Thanks
Estonian Music Information Centre – 30 years

A big thank you to our valued supporters: lead sponsor and member Sviby, the Estonian Association of Phonogram Producers, the Estonian Authors’ Society, the Estonian Performers’ Union, the music city of Tallinn, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.

We also thank everyone involved in the production and many aspects of tonight’s event: AdGorilla and AdExpo, Eventech, Ledzep, Forus, Liviko, Saku, Nordic Catering, as well as Unibet Arena and Live Nation Estonia.