Finland’s Ilosaarirock festival announces Eurovision stars, Norwegian metal, and folk music

The Ilosaarirock festival in Joensuu, Finland, has revealed 19 new acts for its 2026 lineup, including Finland’s Eurovision representatives Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, Norwegian black metal band Mayhem, and folk group Suistamon Sähkö, festival organisers announced on Monday.

Lampenius and Parkkonen, who won Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) with their song Liekinheitin, will perform at the festival’s Laulurinne stage in July. This marks their first appearance at Ilosaarirock, one of Finland’s oldest rock festivals.

Other confirmed acts include returning artists such as Nylon Beat, Käärijä—who has performed twice before—and veteran musician Ismo Alanko. Rising star Jaakko Kulta, fresh from winning an Emma Award (Finland’s equivalent of the Grammys), will also take the stage.

Folk music will feature prominently, with Suistamon Sähkö—who played at last year’s Ilovaari festival—joining Aili Järvelä, a well-known name in the genre. Norwegian black metal pioneers Mayhem will bring a darker edge to the lineup.

Ilosaarirock, Finland’s second-oldest rock festival, is organised by the non-profit Joensuu Pop Musicians Association. The full lineup now includes 18 newly announced artists and groups.