Emil Kárlsen confirmed for Riddu Riđđu festivála 2024

Just a few days ago, musician and actor Emil Kárlsen played concerts to full houses in Reykjavik during the renowned Iceland Airwaves festival. The multi-artist from Omasvuotna/Storfjord in Troms is in high demand these days; He is a recent winner of the Sámi Parliament's Language Promotion Award, is on the cast list in the Disney+ series Koke Bjørn[To Cook a Bear], which will be released in the autumn of 2024, and today it is announced that he will also play at Riddu Riđđu festivála in 2024.

Emil Kárlsen has in an impressively short time become a household name in Northern Norway. In 2019, he was appointed Young Artist of the Year by Riddu Riđđu, and since then the artist has played at the festival both as part of the former band Resirkulert and as a solo artist - always to the great excitement of his audience.

Emil Kárlsen writes music in Northern Sámi, but with a sound you haven't heard from Sápmi before: a modern band foundation with melodic vocals and poetic lyrics, wrapped in classical strings and dizzying sonic universes. Despite his 25 years, Kárlsen has already distinguished himself as a musician, songwriter, producer, artist and actor. His debut album "Nagirvárrái" contains collaborations with both the Arctic Philharmonic and renowned Sámi artists such as Lávre, Katarina Barruk, and Hildá Länsman, in addition to guest appearances by Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen (from ISÁK) and Áidna.

Festival director Sajje Solbakk is full of praise for the popular artist:
- It was a joy to witness the response Emil Kárlsen got at Iceland Airwaves! The feedback from the audience was that his music hits and moves in a way few others can. Emil has cracked the code of creating music that is vulnerable, close, uplifting and catchy. He has a stage presence and a fantastic band of talented musicians who draw the audience in. Together they create magic, and the Riddu audience deserves nothing less!