European Festival Awards 2024: Celebrating Juhani Merimaa’s Lifetime Achievement
With the 14th edition of the European Festival Awards scheduled for January 15th in Groningen, The Netherlands, the prestigious event is excited to announce that this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to **Juhani Merimaa**. Renowned as a pivotal figure in the Finnish music industry, Juhani Merimaa has dedicated over five decades to shaping the landscape of music in Finland. He has been at the helm of Finland’s iconic music venue, Tavastia Klubi, since the 1970s until his recent retirement in 2023, where he served as promoter and CEO.
Juhani has played an instrumental role in Finland’s vibrant festival scene, being deeply involved with three major festivals: Ankkarock, Ruisrock, and Tuska. As one of the founders of Ankkarock and a long-time promoter and CEO of Ruisrock—an early member of Yourope—his contributions have been invaluable. The inaugural Tuska festival took place at Tavastia and was promoted by Juhani, who later became a partner and board member of the now Superstruct-managed Tuska Open Air festival.
Often referred to as the “Man who brought rock and roll to Finland,” Juhani Merimaa remains active in the industry as a mentor for emerging artists and professionals. He is also recognized for his role as a jury member on one of Finland’s most beloved music TV shows, “Tähdet tähdet,” where he served for five seasons.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Juhani Merimaa for his unwavering commitment to the Finnish music scene, connecting artists, and fostering growth within the industry.
Additionally, the shortlists for 13 categories at the European Festival Awards ceremony are now revealed. Over 50,000 votes have been cast for the 2024 awards in various public categories. The European Festival Awards team expresses sincere gratitude to all who participated this year.
Here are the shortlists:
Best Major Festival
Presented by: See Tickets
Colours Of Ostrava, CZ
Down The Rabbit Hole, NL
Electric Castle, RO
Lowlands, NL
Mad Cool Festival, ES
Open’er Festival, PL
Paléo Festival, CH
Pinkpop, NL
Primavera Sound, ES
Rock Werchter, BE
Best Medium-Sized Festival
Dauwpop, NL
Greenfield Festival, CH
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Mystic Festival, PL
OFF Festival, PL
Orange Warsaw Festival, PL
Pohoda Festival, SK
Rock for People, CZ
Sunny Hill Festival, XK
Vestrock, NL
Best Small Festival
Electric City, DE
Fortress Festival, UK
Gladiolen Festival, BE
Inside Seaside, PL
Jazz in the Park, RO
Sofia Live Festival, BG
Stars in Town, CH
Štěrkovna Open Music, CZ
Unique Moments, CH
Ypsigrock Festival, IT
The Green Operations Award
Presented by: GO Group
ESNS, NL
NorthSide, DK
OpenAir St.Gallen, CH
Øyafestivalen, NO
We Love Green, FR
The Event Safety Award
Presented by: YES Group
Dranouter, Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Pukkelpop, Graspop & Rock Werchter, BE
Habitat Festival, DE
Movendium, NL
Paléo Festival, CH
Rocco del Schlacko, DE
Timișoara – Capital of Culture, RO
The Brand Activation Award
Electric Castle & Promenada Nepi Rockcastle, RO
Lowlands & IKEA, NL
Pohoda Festival & Isadore + MTBIKER, SK
Rock for People & Komerční banka, CZ
Tinderbox & FindLife, DK
The Take a Stand Award
Presented by: Take a Stand
Dranouter, Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Pukkelpop, Graspop, Rock Werchter, BE
EXIT Festival, RS
Pohoda Festival, SK
Sonraíz, ES
Superbloom Festival, DE
New Kid on the Block 2024
Presented by: DIY Magazine
Andrea Blahová, Pohoda Festival, SK
Annika Böck, Das Fest, DE
Filip Košťálek, Colours Of Ostrava, CZ
Isabel Roudsarabi, Höme, DE
Line-Up of the Year
Presented by: IQ Magazine
Hellfest, FR
Mad Cool Festival, ES
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Nos Alive, PT
Open’er Festival, PL
Primavera Sound, ES
Pukkelpop, BE
Rock Werchter, BE
Roskilde Festival, DK
Sziget Festival, HU
Promoter of the Year
Presented by: Pollstar
AEG Presents, UK
ARTmania Events, RO
Barracuda Austria, AT
Boom Festival, PT
FKP Scorpio, DE
Gadget Entertainment Group, CH
Mojo, NL
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Primavera Sound, ES
Rock In Rio, PT
Newcomer of the Year
Presented by: ESNS
Benson Boone, US
Chappel Roan, US
English Teacher, UK
Fat Dog, UK
Nemo, CH
Picture Parlour, UK
Teddy Swims, US
The Last Dinner Party, UK
Zaho De Sagazan, FR
Zimmer90, DE
Agent of the Year
Andy Nees, WME
Angus Baskerville, Pure Presents
Anna Bewers, Wasserman Music
Ian Huffam, X-Ray
James Whitting, Wassermann Music
Jon Ollier, One Fiinix
Jonny Greenfield, WME
Jules De Lattre, UTA
Matt Bates, Primary Talent
Rod MacSween, ITB
The Award for Excellence and Passion
Claes Olsen, NO
Claire O’Neill, UK
Emily Eavis, UK
Greg Parmley, UK
Ivan Milivojev, RS
Michal Thomes, CZ
Mika Christoffersen, DK
Niek Murray, NL
Stephan Thanscheidt, DE
Vlad Yaremchuk & Music Saves Ukraine, UA
Lifetime Achievement Award
Juhani Merimaa, FI
Tickets for the Award Ceremony
Tickets for the ceremony on January 15th, 2025, at de Oosterpoort in Groningen, The Netherlands are now available.
There are two ticket options:
PREMIUM TICKETS (€100):
6.00pm – 6.45pm: Welcome Drink & Seating in the Grote Zaal
7.00pm – 8.45pm: Three-course sit-down dinner with drinks
9.00pm – 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
11.30pm – 2.00am: After-show party, Location: News Café, Waagplein 5, Groningen
TRIBUNE TICKETS (€25):
A tribune seat at the Award Ceremony (Dinner and drinks excluded)
9.00pm – 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
