Yes, Cannibal Corpse is a death metal band. Imagine that? Photo by Ririko.
After largely taking last weekend off entertainment-wise, the Baltic states are offering a fully-stocked line-up of events the upcoming week.
For big Western acts, Riga sees the return of living legend DJ Tiesto while death-metal rockers Cannibal Corpse thrash their way through all three countries. Lithuania is holding the largest country music festival in the Baltics and there are dance and opera festivals in Estonia.
Oh wait, there’s more! The Lithuanian coast showcases the excellent Satta Outside underground music festival, Riga gets even more salsa and Estonia even more blues.
Easily the best week of this month for music, there’s really anything you could want to see playing live — metal, commercial trance, country, salsa, rock, dubstep. Brave the heat and enjoy.
LITHUANIA
Aug. 13-14
Visaginas Country Festival
Visaginas Municipal Stadium, Visaginas
The annual country music festival features no big hitters on the line-up this time around, i.e. nobody from the New World where the music is from. But if the regional country acts make you want to put on your cowboy boots and start square dancing away, everything’s ok! Tickets: 20-30 litai (€5.80-€8)
Aug. 13-15
Satta Outside
Šventoji Beach, Šventoji
Satta, easily Vilnius’ best after-hours joint that’s intentionally hidden in an unmarked courtyard and on par with any ultra-hip Berlin or London DJ spot on a good night is putting on its annual festival this year, which has grown steadily since its 2007 debut. Featuring a lengthy roster of regional underground DJs, hip-hop and other types of music, let’s just say if you like alternative music at all you won’t be disappointed. Tickets: 70-85 litai (€20-€24.60) for all three days
Aug. 13-17
St. Christopher Festival
Various locations, Vilnius
The never-ending St. Christopher Festival is bringing in an Ella Fitzgerald tribute act, bossa nova and Chopin this week to Vilnius. Always classy. Ticket prices vary by show, check the website for more info
Aug. 17, 6 p.m.
Cannibal Corpse
New York Club, Vilnius
The American metal band Cannibal Corpse, and yes, the music lives up to the name, will tear a new hole into the New York Club, a good venue for this sort of group considering it’s located in the middle of squalid, concrete Soviet-era apartment block misery on the north side of the river. Headbangers in black will love it. Tickets: 60 litai (€17.30)
www.newyorkclub.lt/main.aspx?show=placiau&ID=300
LATVIA
Aug. 13-14
Riga Salsa Festival
Various locations, Riga
That’s right, Rigans are having another salsa festival. Hey, if you’ve ever gone to Danču Klubs, you’ll never wonder why. Featuring live music, lessons and a dance contest, this salsa festival is a must for Latin dance enthusiasts. Ticket price varies by location
www.studiox1.lv/lv/salsas-festivals/1/
Aug. 13-14
Fontaine Festival
Various locations, Liepāja
The Fontaine Festival, named after the hotel chain and not the crooner character in The Godfather, brings another indie rock festival to showcase acts the moribund music industry can’t/won’t bother with like Skyforger, Phonomik and some guy actually named Louie Fontaine. Hey, can’t beat the price. Tickets: 5 lats (€7)
www.fontaine.lv/festival/lv/home
Aug. 18, 8 p.m.
Cannibal Corpse
Melnā Piektdiena, Riga
Stop No. 2 on the death metal group’s pan-Baltic tour. Tickets: 10 lats (€14)
http://melnapiektdiena.lv/events/18082010
Aug. 19, 7 p.m.
Francis Goya
Riga Congress Centre, Riga
The Belgian classical guitar prodigy is in Riga on Thursday, providing the perfect music (che passion!) for a hot date. Tickets: 12-25 lats (€17-€35)
www.bilesuserviss.lv/eng/concerts/muzika/dzezs_-_bluzs/?concert=67502
Aug. 19, 11 p.m.
DJ Tiesto
Club Essential, Riga
The world’s top-rated DJ is back. Yes, Tiesto was just in Riga this spring but given how the massive amount of local support it’s no surprise he’s returning already. 18 and over only. Tickets: 15 lats (€21)
www.essential.lv/news/?id=74566
ESTONIA
Aug. 13-14
August Blues
Various locations, Haapsalu
Featuring Dave Benton and the Texan axeslinger Lance Lopez, the August Blues festival is arguably the best of a number of regional blues events. Ticket prices vary depending on which shows you attend
Aug. 14-21
Brigitta Festival
Monastery ruins, Pirita
Ballet and opera shows starting Saturday and continue into the next week at a most atmospheric locale, the monastery ruins in Pirita. Tickets vary by performance
www.piletilevi.ee/eng/tickets/muusika/?show=15526
Aug. 14-28
International Contemporary Dance Festival
Various locations, Tallinn
Modern dance shows featuring troupes from all over Europe being a two-week series of shows this Saturday, kicking off with Norway’s Hooman Sharifi. Tickets prices vary by show.
http://piletilevi.ee/eng/promoters/?promoter=30802
Aug. 19, 7 p.m.
Cannibal Corpse
Tapper Club, Tallinn
Stop No. 3 on the death metal group’s pan-Baltic tour. Tickets: 295-350 krooni (€19-€22.50)
www.piletilevi.ee/eng/tickets/muusika/rock_ja_pop/?concert=64711
