Estonian indie-folk sensation Duo Ruut returns to Australia this December and January, with performances across Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales, including Woodford and Cygnet folk festivals.
Two musicians, one instrument and a sound that has been captivating audiences around the world. Estonia’s Duo Ruut is heading back to Australia for an extensive summer tour, bringing its extraordinary combination of traditional folk music, contemporary experimentation and beautiful vocal harmonies to stages across four states.
And before anyone accuses HEIA of excessive enthusiasm, we should probably confess something: we’re already fans. Quite enthusiastic ones, actually. Consider yourselves warned.
Having witnessed Duo Ruut perform at WOMADelaide a couple of years ago, this writer can personally attest that these two musicians know how to hold an audience spellbound. Their performance was a wonderful combination of music, storytelling and humour, delivered with an easy warmth that made the audience feel part of the experience. The applause seemed reluctant to end, and frankly, we understood why.
Two musicians, one kannel and a world of possibilities
Duo Ruut consists of Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi, two Estonian musicians who have developed an extraordinary musical partnership around a single instrument: the traditional Estonian kannel, or zither. Yes, you read that correctly. One instrument.
Rather than each playing their own instrument, the pair sit facing one another across the same kannel, sharing its strings and creating rhythms by plucking, strumming and even tapping its wooden body. Their voices weave around each other, sometimes delicate and haunting, sometimes surprisingly powerful. The result is music that sounds considerably bigger than two people and one instrument have any reasonable right to produce.
It’s a wonderfully economical arrangement, really. One instrument, two musicians, and presumably half the luggage allowance. Although we suspect the airline still finds a way to charge extra.
But the apparent simplicity is deceptive. Their music draws on centuries-old Estonian folk traditions while incorporating contemporary songwriting, inventive rhythms and influences that extend well beyond traditional folk music. Even listeners who don’t understand a word of Estonian can find themselves drawn into the stories through the melodies, harmonies and sheer expressiveness of the performances.
From Estonia to the world’s biggest stages
Duo Ruut’s musical journey began long before they discovered the kannel. The two friends originally played piano and cello, but in 2017 they decided to experiment with Estonia’s traditional zither — an instrument neither knew how to play. Rather than letting this minor inconvenience stop them, they set about inventing their own playing techniques. And the rest, as they say, is musical history.
Since then, they have taken their music to more than 20 countries, performing at internationally recognised festivals and venues including Glastonbury, Celtic Connections, WOMAD, Tallinn Music Week and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie.
Their growing international reputation has attracted attention from major music publications, including The Guardian, MOJO and Songlines. Their unusual approach to traditional music has proved that you don’t need an orchestra, elaborate electronics or an army of instruments to make a considerable impression. Sometimes, less really is more. Although in Duo Ruut’s case, less somehow manages to sound like an entire band.
An award-winning forecast: Ilmateade
Their second full-length album, Ilmateade (The Weather Report), released in 2025, explores the relationship between weather, human emotions and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from traditional Estonian song texts, the album reflects the importance of weather in the lives of earlier generations. Rain, fog, sunshine and changing seasons become much more than background conditions — they carry memories, feelings and stories about being human.
It’s a particularly Estonian subject, perhaps. After all, we’re a people who can discuss the weather at considerable length, occasionally while insisting that we don’t talk very much. And let’s face it, anyone who has experienced an Estonian summer knows that the weather can deliver enough plot twists for an entire album.
The album received international acclaim, including being selected as The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Month in June 2025. It subsequently won Folk Album of the Year at the 2026 Estonian Music Awards, while Duo Ruut was named Artist of the Year at the 2025 Estonian Ethno Music Awards.
Their success is also a wonderful example of how traditional culture can remain alive without being preserved under glass. Duo Ruut takes something deeply rooted in Estonian heritage and gives it new interpretations, new audiences and an unmistakably contemporary voice. Tradition, it turns out, doesn’t have to sit quietly in a museum. Sometimes it packs a suitcase, boards a plane and goes to Australia.
Australia, here they come!
The upcoming Australian tour begins at Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival, where Duo Ruut will perform between 29 December 2026 and 1 January 2027.
The duo will then appear in Brisbane on 3 January, sharing the bill with Australian contemporary folk musician Monique Clare. Monique Clare brings her own distinctive musical style to the event, combining expressive cello playing, powerful vocals and contemporary folk songwriting. The award-winning Australian artist has performed internationally and is known for music that moves comfortably between folk, classical and art-pop influences. The evening at Black Bear Lodge will also feature DJ Jan spinning Estonian disco hits, because why not. Oh yes, Estonian disco hits. Exciting, yes?
After Queensland, Duo Ruut heads to Tasmania for the Cygnet Folk Festival from 8–10 January, followed by a performance in Richmond on 11 January. The Richmond concert comes with an extra treat, as Duo Ruut will share the evening with Australian musician Bobby Alu. Hailing from Byron Bay, Bobby blends tropical soul, reggae and roots music with rhythms inspired by his Polynesian heritage. It’s quite the musical journey — from the haunting harmonies of Estonia to the laid-back sunshine of Australia’s tropical north, all without leaving Tasmania. I’m intrigued.
The tour then continues to Adelaide’s Estonian House on 15 January and Parramatta in Sydney on 16 January, giving audiences across Australia several opportunities to discover — or rediscover — this remarkable Estonian duo.
And for those wondering about Melbourne, discussions about a possible concert are still underway. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and share any confirmed news. Melbourne does, after all, have a rather enthusiastic Estonian community and a respectable appetite for good music. We’re not saying we’re impatient. We’re just saying that Melbourne is very good at turning up for live music. Just putting that out there.
Still wondering what all the fuss is about? Allow Duo Ruut to demonstrate. Their beautiful video for Nightingale combines captivating music with some rather spectacular Estonian scenery. Press play, prepare to be mesmerised and, when you’ve remembered what you came here for, scroll down for the Australian tour dates.
Australian tour dates and event details
Here’s where you can catch Duo Ruut during their Australian summer adventure. You can find the full Australian tour schedule and links to individual concert bookings on both the Duo Ruut and Lonks Productions websites. Choose your city or festival, follow the relevant ticket link and you’re on your way. Just remember to check the venue details — this tour is covering quite a bit of Australia!
📍 QUEENSLAND
🎵 WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL — Woodford
📅 Dates: Tuesday, 29 December 2026 – Friday, 1 January 2027
🕒 Times: Tuesday, 29 December: 2.30 pm & 7.00 pm | Wednesday, 30 December: 10.30 am & 4.45 pm | Thursday, 31 December: 3.20 pm | Friday, 1 January: 5.45 pm
📍 Location: Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, Queensland
🎟️ Get tickets: Woodford Folk Festival
🎵 BRISBANE — Duo Ruut with Monique Clare and DJ Jan
📅 Date: Sunday, 3 January 2027
🕒 Times: 5.30 pm – Monique Clare, 7.00 pm – Duo Ruut, 8.00 pm – DJ Jan
📍 Location: Black Bear Lodge, 322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
🎟️ Tickets: General admission $49 | Concession $44
🎟️ Get tickets: Oztix
📍 TASMANIA
🎵 CYGNET FOLK FESTIVAL
📅 Dates: Friday, 8 January – Sunday, 10 January 2027
🕒 Times: Friday, 8 January: 6.30 pm | Saturday, 9 January: 4.30 pm | Sunday, 10 January: 11.30 am
📍 Location: Cygnet Folk Festival, Mary Street, Cygnet TAS 7112
🎟️ Get tickets here: Cygnet Folk Festival
🎵 RICHMOND — Duo Ruut with Bobby Alu
📅 Date: Monday, 11 January 2027
🕒 Time: 6.30 pm
📍 Location: 52 Bridge Street, Richmond TAS 7025
🎟️ Tickets: General admission $35 | Concession $28
🎟️ Get tickets here: Rosny Farm
📍 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
🎵 ADELAIDE — Duo Ruut at Estonian House
📅 Date: Friday, 15 January 2027
🕒 Time: 7.00 pm
📍 Location: Estonian House, 200 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
🎟️ Information: See tour organiser’s website here | Ticket sales to be announced
📍 NEW SOUTH WALES
🎵 SYDNEY — Duo Ruut at Riverside Live at PHIVE
📅 Date: Saturday, 16 January 2027
🕒 Time: 7.00 pm
📍 Location: PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta NSW 2150
🎟️ Tickets: From $41 | Early-bird offer: save 10% on tickets until midnight Sunday, 1 November 2026.
🎟️ Get tickets here: Riverside Theatres
Please check individual event websites for ticket availability and any program changes.
Read more
Curious to discover more about Duo Ruut? Here are a few good places to start:
Duo Ruut: Visit the official website for music, videos and artist information | YouTubel | Spotify
Australian tour information and concert updates: Lonks Productions and Moon Management
The Guardian: Estonian duo’s soulful look to the skies
Songlines: Duo Ruut: Whatever is going on around you will influence the art you make
Listen to Duo Ruut’s latest single: See on väljade laul (feat. Andre Maaker) – DistroKid
Thank you!
A big thank you from HEIA to Reeli Lonks and Duo Ruut for information, photos and posters!
Duo Ruut’s Australian tour is presented by Lonks Productions (Reeli Lonks) and Moon Management (Marili Jõgi), with concerts organised by Woodford Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, City of Clarence/Rosny Farm, Riverside Theatres, Adelaide Estonian Hall, Some Folk and Lonks Productions. Special thanks to Madeleine Sarapuu, who is organising the Adelaide concert, and to the Brisbane and Gold Coast Estonian Societies for supporting promotion of the Queensland performances. Thank you for collaboration, Aerotavel and Embassy of Estonia in Canberra.
Getting Estonian musicians halfway around the world and onto Australian stages doesn’t happen by magic — although the music might suggest otherwise. There’s a great deal of work behind the scenes, and we appreciate everyone helping make this tour possible.
