Antti Paalanen

The Kekri Fest & Feast evening celebration culminates with accordion artist Antti Paalanen, who combines the two-row accordion, techno, and throat singing into a unique whole. A journey that began by chance in a musical instrument shop in Alavus has taken him through the Sibelius Academy to international stages in Europe, America, and Asia.

Paalanen's deep, guttural throat singing and massively pulsing accordion sound have made him one of the most distinctive performers in Finnish folk music. His cover videos have garnered millions of views, and his latest solo album Haitarimarinadi (2026) also includes the song Takatukka, which placed second in the UMK competition.

On stage, Paalanen is a one-man rhythm machine whose hypnotic songs often make the audience continue singing even after the music stops.

Learn more at

https://anttipaalanen.fi/
https://www.facebook.com/Breathbox
https://www.instagram.com/anttipaalanen
https://www.tiktok.com/@anttipaalanen
https://www.youtube.com/anttipaalanen


Photo: Ulla Nisonen