Incoming Music Estonia chief plans to meet all members

Music Estonia’s incoming chief executive, Tõnn Kuuli, plans to meet the organisation’s more than 100 members to discuss their expectations and goals, ERR reported.

Kuuli will take over as head of Music Estonia in early November. The organisation represents music companies, serves as a development centre and operates as an export office.

“It will certainly be exciting, and a little nerve-racking, but I think that is a sign of stepping outside one’s comfort zone,” Kuuli said on the R2 morning programme.

His first priority will be to listen to the organisation’s members and other interest groups.

“I like to think that I have more than 100 employers, plus various interest groups that keep this organisation alive. I would like to sit down with all of them and discuss their expectations and goals, and then start making real plans,” he said.

Kuuli identified music exports as one of his main areas of focus. He said Music Estonia should help musicians and music companies that want to expand abroad but may lack the necessary opportunities.

He also said it would be important to keep the issue of lower value-added tax on tickets for cultural events on the agenda ahead of the upcoming elections. In his view, a lower tax rate would help diversify the market.

“At the moment, many small and larger concert organisers are constantly on the edge of whether an event can be held at all. Many have stopped organising events, while many others end up making losses,” Kuuli said.

He praised the work of Tallinn Music Week, Live Nation and other major organisers, but said the sector could grow further by supporting not only pop and top artists but also smaller communities, including folk music.

Kuuli also highlighted the need to build a stronger sense of community across the sector. He said he had previously brought people together around the same table and hoped to continue doing so.

The interview was conducted by Bert Järvet and Jüri Muttika for the R2 morning programme.