Ilosaarirock festival board members earn thousands of euros annually

Ilosaarirock’s board members receive annual fees reaching thousands of euros, a practice that sets the Joensuu festival apart from other major Finnish music events.

The board of Ilosaarirock Oy, established in 2024 by the Joensuu Pop Musicians association, pays its external chair €12,000 per year and each external board member €6,000 annually. Board members who are also shareholders receive a €250 meeting fee per session.

Yle surveyed six of Finland’s largest festivals and found that most do not pay board members or offer significantly lower compensation. Pori Jazz, Provinssi, Ruisrock, and Flow reported no board fees or minimal payments compared to Ilosaarirock.

Ilosaarirock’s board chair, Kaarlo Kankkunen, chairs Veikkausliiga’s board and has held leadership roles in security and sports governance. Heidi Aho, another external member, has worked in festival production and music agency management. Kankkunen said the board focuses on long-term strategy, advises the CEO, and handles stakeholder relations rather than day-to-day festival operations.

Sim o Niiranen, chair of the Joensuu Pop Musicians association and an Ilosaarirock board member, said the fees were set by comparing compensation levels to similar-sized companies. He cited a need to fill expertise gaps in finance and event management.

Under Finnish law, public limited companies must have a board responsible for governance and financial oversight. Board members bear legal responsibility, which can include financial liability in cases of mismanagement.