The festival will run from 13th to 15th September, featuring both international and Polish artists in the Grand Hall and the Castle Courtyard of the Zamek Cultural Centre. We'll be treated to visual and sound performances by artists who, while largely unknown to many, are key figures in today's ambient, drone, and noise scenes for those who seek out avant-garde sounds.

There will also be a broad spectrum of techno music. The LAS concert series has been drawing fans of this genre to Poznań for over a decade. Thanks to this series, many artists associated with the genre have performed in our city, originally at the LAS club in Małe Garbary, and since 2018, at the Pavilion on Ewangelicka Street. Over 700 concerts have already been hosted in these venues!

Fans of independent music will have plenty to choose from. LAS offers a variety of experiences not only in experimental electronic music but also in avant-garde rock, jazz, and hip-hop. "This is today's music, often brand new, experimental, and driven by personal expression. It's not commercial; no one has paid for it or commissioned it. It is music created by people who feel a deep inner drive to do so," says Krystian Piotr, LAS creator, curator, and producer, in an interview with IKS.

OPERA is an extension of this work, which the organisers describe as a "celebration of transgressive music" - music that boldly crosses traditional aesthetic and cultural boundaries, often provoking and challenging by experimenting with form, content, and themes. The OPERA festival will deliver bold, 100% non-commercial music, which, given our attention and time, will provide much more than just fleeting entertainment. As Krystian Piotr emphasises, at its core, the project "rejects clichés and seeks an original language."

"I feel that this music is very emotional, personal, and honest. It is obvious that what's happening in the world today influences the language and tools used by the musicians we invite. When planning this event with Aleksandra Kołodziej from the music and performance programmes department of Poznań's Zamek Cultural Centre, we aimed to highlight the latest in non-commercial, independent music in the most accessible and comprehensive way possible," explains LAS creator and the project's co-organiser.

Who are the artists? The headline act will undoubtedly be Demdike Stare, one of the most influential duos in the ambient music scene over the past few decades. Sean Canty and Miles Whittaker are true experimental virtuosos, blending styles like industrial, UK bass, dub techno, and dark ambient. Their albums, including "Symbiosis" (2009), "Tryptych" (2011), and "Wonderland" (2016), are already gaining cult following. But that's not the only reason why Demdike Stare's concert at OPERA 2024 might be unforgettable. "The artists are known for their improvised sets, so it's hard to predict exactly what they'll play. Three weeks before our event, the next edition of the legendary Atonal festival will take place in Berlin. They'll be preparing special, entirely new audiovisual material for the occasion. So, there's a good chance we'll also experience something completely new in Poznań," speculates Krystian Piotr.

There are also plenty of other intriguing experiences in store, such as those from Italian composer and producer Sara Persico, whose often unsettling ambient compositions can induce a meditative state. Robert Piotrowicz's performance promises to be equally captivating, as he works with synthesiser modules and effects to create precisely intricate electroacoustic soundscapes.

Polish DJ Daisy Cutter will take the audience on an exhilarating journey full of unexpected twists, with various techno styles as the soundtrack. Meanwhile, the South African band Phelimuncasi will present a unique vision by blending traditional rhythms with modern sounds like Afro house and hard drum. A similar, though even more ambiguous tone will be set by Egyptian producer Abadir, whose music is often described with fancy genre labels such as deconstructed club, epic collage, or broken transmission.

We can expect trance-like, hypnotic, and spine-tingling music from the German duo Oake, while an artist who alternates between France and Uganda, known as Pö, will present her debut album "Cociage" (2023), which mixes noisy rap with West African folk and the powerful basslines reminiscent of the British grime scene. Meanwhile, the European trio PLF will bring DIY punk, though there's too much synthesiser noise to classify them as the Sex Pistols.

The final concerts promise to be fascinating. "The last day of the festival features two concerts in the Grand Hall, which we believe will provide the perfect finale. The artists include FUJI|||||||||TA, a Japanese sound artist who will perform his latest minimalist set on a handmade pipe organ. The final touch will be delivered by the Polish avant-folk band Moon, which has recently gained popularity in Poland," announces the organiser.

It's worth noting that OPERA 2024 is a concept festival of sorts, with each performance connected in some way to the others. "It's definitely worth attending the entire event - from Friday to Sunday - as that's the only way to fully appreciate our vision," says Krystian Piotr. These are three days of concerts, two stages, and a dozen or so artists inviting us to engage in deep contemplation as well as uninhibited dancing. So, accept their invitation and immerse yourself in all the emotions that will fill the Castle halls, even if only out of sheer curiosity.

Sebastian Gabriel

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski 

• OPERA 2024
• Zamek (Castle) Cultural Centre
• 13-15 September
• Tickets and passes: PLN 69-249
• For details, visit ckzamek.pl

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024