On Wednesday, April 29th, Kadri Voorand presented her newest album “Songs to Hold You” live for the very first time. Going in, I was especially curious about the collaboration with Puuluup and bassist Mihkel Mälgand. It was hard to imagine how these distinct musical worlds could come together—but the result turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the festival. Kadri’s expressive, genre-blending style merged seamlessly with Puuluup’s playful, experimental folk, creating something even richer than expected.
Sitting further in the back, I found myself completely absorbed. One notable moment was Kadri’s reinterpretation of John Lennon’s “Imagine”—a performance that captured her artistic essence perfectly. The phrase “voice magician” kept coming to mind as she shaped sound with remarkable precision and imagination. Both she and Puuluup made inventive use of loop pedals, layering vocals and textures into immersive sonic landscapes.
Kadri also spoke about one of the album’s central ideas: the presence of an “ancient woman” (and man!) within all of us—a deeper, intuitive self that occasionally surfaces to reveal something essential. This concept echoed throughout the performance, adding a quiet sense of ritual and introspection.
At times, her vocal tone and control brought to mind Caroline Polachek—not as imitation, but as a shared sensitivity to nuance and texture. It was a comparison that only deepened my appreciation. Visually, the stage supported the atmosphere beautifully: a backdrop of shimmering stars framed the performers, making them seem almost otherworldly, as if transmitting from somewhere beyond.
One of the evening’s highlights was an improvised, unreleased piece created with Puuluup. It was a joyful, spontaneous moment that drew the audience in—people began to sing along, and the room suddenly felt alive in a new way.
In the end, the concert felt like stepping into a magical realm filled with fairytales, folklore, and the unknown. You never quite knew what would come next, but once each piece began, it was easy to surrender and believe fully in what you were hearing and seeing.
Kadri Voorand & Mihkel Mälgand „Songs to Hold You” feat. Puuluup
Kolmapäev, 29. aprill 18.30, Von Krahl
The band:
Kadri Voorand – vocal, violin, live-electronics
Mihkel Mälgand – bass, double bass, live-electronics
Ramo Teder – talharpa, loopers
Marko Veisson – talharpa, looper
Photo: Siiri Männi