News

Good evening, dear music entrepreneurs, valued partners, and colleagues!  

Tonight, we once again come together to celebrate our industry, and first and foremost, I am delighted to congratulate all of today’s nominees – congratulations to all of you! This year, we have over a hundred nominees, and their diversity is a true testament to the strength of our music business. We see both newcomers and well-established companies, smaller and larger enterprises, as well as representatives from both the capital and regional areas.  

Last year, it was truly special to hear, multiple times and from the outside, just how unique the sense of unity is within the Estonian music industry. Whether it’s artists cheering each other on and being inspired by one another’s creativity, or businesses supporting one another – this kind of solidarity is not something to take for granted. It is one of the greatest strengths of our industry. When we stand together, we also become more aware of our collective achievements and have the opportunity to gather as a sector to celebrate them. Being a somewhat smaller music industry actually gives us an advantage. Our international partners often express great interest in having similar events in their own countries and admire the way we uplift and support one another. 

Uplifting and supporting each other extends beyond Estonia to the wider region as well. Right at this very moment, our Latvian neighbors are celebrating their own music and music business awards. And just two days ago, they brought home one of the most coveted awards in the film industry – an Oscar. We celebrated together – in every industry conversation or on social media, where the joy of a shared victory shone bright. Moments like these reinforce our belief in the collective strength of our region. In today’s world, we need to hold together more than ever – especially when it comes to mental and cultural defence. I also see our industry’s clear ambition to continue expanding its reach into neighboring markets, which is reflected in the strategic directions and goals of our companies. 

The current state of our music industry is defined by openness – to new ideas, new business models, and innovative collaborations. This was evident in today’s discussions at the Estonian Music Industry Focus Day as well. We are a creative business sector, and as a country, we can leverage this both economically and as part of our global reputation. More than ever, our businesses are looking at cross-sector opportunities, whether in technology, audiovisual media, or other industries – areas where organizations like ours can contribute and support further development. Growth does not happen by chance. Strengthening international cooperation and increasing export revenue are key focuses for companies’ development plans. Of course, challenges remain within the economic landscape of Estonia’s music business, but if culture is recognized as an integral part of the economy, we can expect long-term benefits through ongoing dialogue.  

Tonight is a wonderful opportunity to come together, to celebrate achievements, and to recognize the work that has been done across the industry. This year, we are presenting awards in well-established categories, but we have also expanded some areas, particularly to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our support service partners.  

I want to extend my sincere gratitude to EMEA’s annual supporters: the Estonian Association of Phonogram Producers, the Estonian Authors’ Society, the Estonian Performers’ Association, Tallinn Music City and Tallinn Strategy Center, the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, and the Estonian Cultural Endowment. A huge thank you to Tallinn Music Week for organizing the Estonian Music Industry Focus Day, which has set the tone and content for this evening.  

A heartfelt bow to our main sponsor, Sviby, and many thanks to Live Nation Estonia for supporting this event, as well as Tridens for ensuring we’re well taken care of tonight. Thank you to Tallinn Cruise Terminal for hosting us this year, and to Radiustech for delivering such an impressive and high-quality production. A big thank you to Meeskond, AdGorilla, and Fonoteek, where we’ll hold the afterparty. 

And finally, my deepest gratitude goes to the whole team of EMEA, and the project manager, always with clear vision and unstoppable energy, Taavi Esperk! 

Wishing you all a grand awards night!