YleXPop festival announces star-studded free event with Lauri Haav headlining

Finnish public broadcaster Yle’s annual YleXPop festival will bring together some of Finland’s biggest pop acts for a free outdoor event on 30 May in Vantaa, as part of the expanded Yle Summer Festival celebrating Yle’s 100th anniversary.

The lineup includes chart-topping artist Lauri Haav, modern Finnish rapper Ares, ethereal folk-pop duo Emma & Matilda, dance-pop act Komiat, rising star Minttu, and internationally acclaimed show performer Erika Vikman. The event will be broadcast live on YleX radio, Yle TV2, and Yle Areena from 16:00 to 23:00, hosted by YleX presenters Aino “Aikku” Silkelä and Melina “Mellu” Mäkelä.

Lauri Haav aims for stadium shows amid record success

Lauri Haav, 28, a genre-blending artist known for his emotional depth, will perform at the peak of his popularity. The multi-award-winning musician—who took home Artist of the Year at this year’s Emma Gala and won the public vote for the second consecutive year—recently released the single Perhonen (Butterfly), a tribute to his late mother.

“When my mother died, a butterfly always appeared—even at the funeral,” Haav told Yle’s Kulttuuricocktail. “It reminds me she’s still here. There’s hope in that, especially after a long winter.” His upcoming fourth album, No Haav No Laav, continues his tradition of deeply personal songwriting, following past hits like Missä oot nyt? (Where Are You Now?), which explored his strained relationship with his father.

Haav has also spoken openly about his struggles with OCD and past school bullying—even admitting in his Emma Gala acceptance speech that he was once a bully himself. “I’ve grown enough as an artist to take a stand beyond just music,” he said. “I wanted to be honest. It would’ve felt fake not to admit my own role.”

His rising fame is evident: two back-to-back sold-out arena shows in Tampere later this year, with the first selling out in minutes. While he’s vocal about his ambition to one day headline a stadium concert, he insists the timing must be right. “Of course I want to, but what comes after? I don’t know yet. I’ll do it when the moment feels right.”

Three-day festival expands with free concerts for all ages

The Yle Summer Festival (29–31 May) at Tikkurila Sports Park now spans three days, offering free, all-ages, and alcohol-free programming. Highlights include:

– Friday 29 May: Radio Suomi’s Summer Concert (18:30) featuring Arttu Wiskari, Olavi Uusivirta, and Ilta, broadcast live on Yle TV1, Radio Suomi, and Areena. Earlier, the Let’s Play Pikku Kakkonen concert (16:00) offers family-friendly entertainment with beloved children’s characters.
– Sunday 31 May: A classical finale with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO), conducted by Nicolas Collon and starring 13-year-old violinist Lilja Haatainen. The program includes works by Bizet, Grieg, Rossini, and Saint-Saëns.

All events are free, with no age restrictions or alcohol sales.