From a Danish veteran to a powerful American female trio

With a wide range of genres - from Canadian roots, Anglo-Irish folk through Danish folk music to American indie pop - the festival is keeping up with its tradition of presenting both established and new talents within the roots genres.

Iconic veterans who never slow down

The Danish songwriter and troubadour Allan Olsen will be opening the festival on the Open Air stage with his new Norlan band. 2024 marked the 30th anniversary for the release of Allan Olsen’s iconic live album ‘Rygter fra Randområderne’ (‘Rumours from the Outskirts’), which he recorded together with the band Norlan. On the occasion of the anniversary, he put together a new Norlan and went on a tour that should have ended in 2024. However, the entire group has managed to get back together for just a few carefully selected festival concerts in the late summer of 2025, Tønder Festival being one of them.

An anniversary is what brings one of the most influential Anglo-Irish groups in modern folk to Tønder Festival as well. Celebrating their landmark 30th Anniversary in 2025, Flook will be on tour throughout the year - and while they plan to pay homage to all their albums in their live shows, they will very much have an eye on the future.

A cornucopia of genres and talent from Canada

The Canadian blues and roots musician Matt Andersen is known for his powerful, expressive voice and impressive guitar technique. His unique blend of raw blues, vibrant Americana, introspective folk, and soulful gospel has established him as one of the most charismatic and talented artists on the international music scene.

One of last year's audience favorites, the Canadian roots and Americana band The Hello Darlins, return with their blend of country, blues, and gospel, delivered with resonant harmonies, piano, strings, slide guitar, and pedal steel.

Young Canadian multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jake Vaadeland and his Sturgeon River Boys bring their unique and infectious blend of classic bluegrass, country, and rockabilly, which had audiences on their feet last year.

Another Canadian artist who won many hearts last year is Kellie Loder, will be coming back to spoil the audiences with their magnetic, charismatic stage presence, heartfelt songs, subtle humor, and rich vocals.

New Nordic folk music and strong women from the USA
From the Danish latitudes comes the essence of new Nordic folk music, the trio Stundom. They draw inspiration from their ancestors' traditional dance music, classical chamber music, and modern symphonic elements. With cittern, violin, piano, and their unique chemistry, Emma Elmøe, Villads Hoffmann, and Julian Svejgaard create a magical musical universe.
From the USA, the American female trio Trousdale will play their only Danish concert at Tønder Festival. Often compared to bands like The Chicks, bridging the gap between country and indie pop, Trousdale brings three-part harmonies and a passion for empowering young women with messages of self-acceptance and love.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Allan Olsen & Norlan (DK)
Slowing down has never been Allan Olsen’s thing. He is always challenging himself – as a songwriter, singer, musician, and storyteller. For more than 40 years, he has toured the country, performing both solo and with bands. He has released around 20 albums, written two bestselling books, and received numerous awards and nominations. His iconic album ‘Jøwt’ (2013) became one of the best-selling albums of the year, even though it was only released locally in Vendsyssel and was only for purchase at local SPAR grocery stores.
At Tønder Festival audiences have enjoyed Allan Olsen’s shows many times – most recently his solo performance in 2023. This year, he returns with a band – a new Norlan lineup comprised of Rune Kjeldsen (guitar and other string instruments), Mikkel Damgaard (keyboard), Peter Kjøbsted (bass), and Mads Andersen (drums and percussion).
2024 marked the 30th anniversary for the release of Allan Olsen’s iconic live album ‘Rygter fra Randområderne’ (‘Rumours from the Outskirts’). The album was recorded with the original Norlan lineup and featured Olsen classics like ‘Mergelgraven’, ‘Vi lå jo i Herning’, ‘Op til Alaska’, and many more. To celebrate the anniversary, Allan Olsen reunited with a new Norlan lineup and embarked on a tour with sold-out concerts and extra shows. The plan was for it to end there.
However, the entire group has managed to get back together for just a few carefully selected festival concerts in the late summer of 2025, Tønder Festival being one of them. They aim to deliver the iconic songs wrapped in a lush sound – including the opening concert at the Open Air stage.
www.allanolsen.dk

Flook (IRL, ENG, UK)

“They looked for all the world like four people - until they started playing when they became as tight as one while producing a sound as rich as ten.” That was how The Shetland Times described the Anglo-Irish band Flook.
Originally a scratch band of four musicians working together for a short concert tour, they found the reactions to their music so positive that they decided to carry on. This year, Flook are marking their 30th anniversary with a world tour.
Since 1995, Flook has proved one of the most influential groups in modern folk music. Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen's flutes and whistles, Ed Boyd's guitar and John Joe Kelly's virtuoso bodhrán combine to provide a unique soundscape that spans from explosive energy to melodic beauty, creating an almost electric charge on stage.

Since their debut, Flook have refined and developed their characteristic style, releasing groundbreaking albums which blend original compositions and traditional songs.
After 11 years off, they returned with the album Ancora (2019) - a reunion that garnered high praise from both critics and audiences.
As a 'flute and whistle led, eight-legged jig machine', Flook continue to inspire with new material - including here on their jubilee tour, which celebrates the past and promises great things in the  future.
Their only Danish festival in 2025.
www.flook.co.uk

Matt Andersen (CAN)

With his expressive voice and impressive guitar skills, Canadian blues and roots musician Matt Andersen is one of the most charismatic and talented artists on the international music scene. His ability to blend raw blues, vibrant Americana, reflective folk, and soulful gospel – along with his knack for storytelling that balances pain, hope, and joy – makes him a truly unique voice.

Matt Andersen has headlined shows across North America, Europe, and Australia and toured with legends such as Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Marty Stuart, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Randy Bachman, Little Feat, Jonny Lang, and Serena Ryder.

Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous awards, including two European Blues Awards for 'Best Solo/Acoustic Act.' He is also the first Canadian ever to win an award in the solo/duo category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2010.

Whether performing solo with his acoustic guitar or backed by a full band, Matt Andersen delivers an intense and moving experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

At this year’s Tønder Festival, you can experience one of his evocative solo performances, featuring songs from his latest album, ‘The Big Bottle of Joy’ (2023), which offers a mix of blues rock, gospel, and folk.

This will be his only Danish festival appearance.

www.stubbyfingers.ca

The Hello Darlins (CAN)

The Canadian roots and americana band The Hello Darlins did not take long to win audience hearts at last year's Tønder Festival with their melodious mix of country, blues and gospel. In 2025, they return, presenting songs from their new album, The Alders & The Ashes (2024). The album studies themes such as loss, hope, love and survival, in perfect harmonies, winning tunes and an instrumentation ranging from piano and strings to slide guitar and pedal steel.

The Hello Darlins are a musical commune involving some of Canada's finest studio musicians. The band's figureheads are singer Candace Lacina and keyboard player and producer Mike Little, who are also a couple off stage. They have recorded with Shania Twain, Charlie Major and B. B. King. Through the years, a series of prominent colleagues, such as Matt Andersen, Murray Pulver, The Bros. Landreth and producer Mike Poole, have joined in The Hello Darlins' various projects.
The band have been nominated for several awards, most recently winning the Canadian YYC Music Award 2024 as Group of the Year.
Their only Danish festival and concert in 2025.

www.thehellodarlins.com

Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys (CAN)

Jake Vaadeland and his band, The Sturgeon River Boys, took the Tønder  audience by storm in 2024, and here they are again.

This promising, 22 year-old multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Saskatchewan in Canada has already achieved imposing status on the Canadian folk roots scene and internationally.

He has won two Saskatchewan Music Awards and four Saskatchewan Country Music Awards and is the youngest ever winner of the Canadian Road Gold Certification prize. This prize was awarded to him and his band for selling 25,000 concert tickets in 12 months in 2024.
Authenticity is the key to Jake Vaadeland's success. He masters the guitar and banjo and flies the flag for traditional country, bluegrass and 50s rockabilly music. Among his idols are bluegrass legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. His classic, old-school leanings are apparent in his personal style, his musical preferences and his stage performance. As he says in his song Retro Man from 2021: “I’m a retro man with a retro plan”.

Jake Vaadeland's latest album ‘Retro Man… More and More (Expanded Edition)’ (2024) clearly displays his talent for storytelling and his musical virtuosity, and his songs are frequently heard on radio stations in Canada, USA and UK.
www.jakevaadeland.com

Kellie Loder (CAN)
With their magnetic, charismatic stage presence, heartfelt songs, subtle humor, and powerful, rich vocals, Kellie Loder quickly became a crowd favorite at last year's festival.

The Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Newfoundland is truly one of a kind – impossible to pigeonhole. The music industry has always struggled to categorize them: “Is this pop, folk, country, rock...? What is it?”

“Well, it’s me,” Kellie Loder usually replies.

Kellie Loder started playing drums in their church at the age of ten and learned to play guitar from their older brother. At 19, it was time to hang up their ice skates and shelve the idea of a professional hockey career to make room for their true calling: music.

Their debut album, ‘The Way’ (2009), earned them a talent award in Canada and launched their music career. In 2022, they became the runner-up on Canada’s Got Talent.

Since then, Kellie Loder has received numerous nominations and music awards, including a Juno nomination and several accolades at the Canadian East Coast Music Awards.

Kellie Loder's fourth and latest album, ‘Transitions’ (2024), explores themes of love, loss, personal growth, and the transitions that define the human experience.

This will be their only Danish festival and concert in 2025.

www.kellieloder.com

Stundom (DK)
Stundom is a Danish trio that embodies the essence of new Nordic folk music. Emma Elmøe, Villads Hoffmann, and Julian Svejgaard draw inspiration from the traditional dance music of their ancestors, classical chamber music, and modern symphonic elements. With cittern, violin, piano, and their unique chemistry, the trio creates a magical musical universe.

The foundation of Stundom was laid in 2015 with the duo Elmøe & Hoffmann, who released an EP the same year and won the 'New Talent of the Year' award at the Danish Music Awards Folk. In 2017, pianist Julian Svejgaard joined them, and the debut album ‘Vandkanten’ (‘Shoreline’) was born. Since then, the trio has been inseparable.

In 2021, Stundom released their second album, ‘Må jeg holde din hånd?’ (‘May I Hold Your Hand?’), featuring 12 original tracks that encourage listeners to jump into life with eyes wide open. The following year, Emma Elmøe became the youngest nominee ever for the 'Artist of the Year' award at the Danish Music Awards Roots.

With a love for the acoustic, Stundom constantly seeks new ways to expand their captivating musical universe – both live and in the studio.

As the Danish daily, Information, puts it: “... folk music has got a good grip of younger generations in the Nordic countries. Perhaps as an anchor in a society where knowledge is constantly being generated, yet one might lack the more deliberate breath of wisdom. A breath that flows through the carefully preserved traditions of folk music.”

www.stundommusic.com

Trousdale (USA)

The American trio Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene and Lauren Jones met at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. These three young women hit it off musically, sharing a passion for songwriting, harmonies and music that reaches from country to indiepop.

Their three-part harmonies and deeply personal yet universal song tales that invite comparisons with groups like The Chicks, The Staves and artists like LeAnn Rimes. But the sources of their inspiration are wide-ranging, from Crosby, Stills & Nash to Kacey Musgraves, HAIM and Lady A.
On their prospective album ‘Growing Pains’ (out on 11 April 2025), the band focus on personal development, resistance and the search for beauty in human struggles. Trousdale's music reflects the bonds that unite these three women as friends and artists. They are driven by the urge to empower young women, expressing love and self-acceptance through their music. Add their gift of converting life's challenges into uplifting tunes and they foster community and hope in their fans and audiences. Their only Danish concert in 2025.

www.trousdalemusic.com

Tønder Festival 2025 – so far:

Take Me To The River (USA), Joe Henry (USA), Sons Of The East (AUS), Natalie McMaster & Donnell Leahy (CAN), Elephant Sessions (SCO), Oysterband (ENG), Rikke Thomsen (DK), John Smith (UK), Jeffrey Foucault, USA), Tina Dickow og Helgi Jonsson (DK, IS), Melissa Carper (USA), Fantastic Negrito (USA), Adeem The Artist (USA), The Lonesome Ace Stringband (CAN), The Langan Band (SCO), Quote the Raven (CAN), Michael Falch & Zonen (DK), Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys (CAN), Flook (IRL, ENG, UK), The Hello Darlins (CAN), Trousdale (USA), Allan Olsen & Norlan (DK), Kellie Loder (CAN), Matt Andersen (CAN), Stundom (DK).