Next Stage for new music highlights young musicians

The event is organised by Espoo Cultural Venues and Services. The goal is to highlight young talent and support the careers of young people who are performing and making music.

Aimed at young people, another goal of the event is to draw attention to a focal point of the City of Espoo strategy in the new Espoo Story: supporting opportunities and everyday life for children and young people. Read more about it in the espoo.fi article: City Council approved new Espoo Story: Espoo is the capital of children and youth (20 October 2025).

Singer-songwriter and Community Manager of Finnish Music Creators’ Association Jojo “Johanna” von Hertzen thinks it is very important that young people are encouraged to engage with music from a very young age.

-Music can be a job, but it can also be a really good hobby for a young person and an important way of self-expression. Our first music memories are often related to role models, so it’s important that young people have an opportunity to get to know those role models, von Hertzen says.

According to von Hertzen, who is one of the members of the Next Stage professional panel, municipalities could help young musicians with all-ages concerts, meetups with more experienced people and different kinds of hobby opportunities. Potential ideas include a DJ workshop, lending instruments, or band activities supported by cities.

-For growing young people, playing in a band strengthens not only their instrumental skills but also their social skills, problem-solving and communality, von Herzen continues.

Von Herzen was immediately taken by the Next Stage concept, because she believes that Finland has plenty of potential musicians and artists.

-For us in the culture sector, it’s kind of an obligation that we work together to offer young people concrete opportunities that allow them to move forward in making music and maybe even towards becoming a professional, von Herzen sums up.

Next Stage is targeted at 18-26-year-old musicians and performers who do not have a record deal or a published album with a major label. The event consists of a preliminary round based on a recording, three live semi-finals and the final organised in Sello Hall (Sellosali), Leppävaara. 

At the live events, participants get verbal feedback from a panel of professionals working in music. The finalists will receive the Mimmi Label promotion or artist career package (valued at EUR 750). In addition, the Finnish Music Creators’ Association will award one performer from among the finalists with a Music Creators’ special award. 

One of the three finalists will be selected to perform at the Kivenlahti Midsummer event at Hybridiarena Hype on Friday 19 June.

There is an open application process for the event from 9 to 22 February 2026.  More detailed information and application instructions are available on the Next Stage website at espoo.fi/nextstage