BitterSweet is shaping up to be the biggest music festival Poznań has ever hosted - nothing else compares. Set to take place in Cytadela Park, the event will boast a mind-blowing four major stages and loads of partner zones across the grounds. Seasoned festivalgoers may ask, "Where's all this going to fit?" Well, the festival footprint will stretch way beyond the usual Peace Bell meadow and the nearby lanes. As the organisers put it: "Lose yourself where only the present counts. Music, laughter, surprise meet-ups - BitterSweet is about living every minute together and lasting impressions. It's not just sound - it's a full-body experience."
I'm like a bird
What really sets BitterSweet apart is its massive line-up. The musical feast kicks off on Thursday 14 August with an artist who needs no introduction. "Poznań loves Nelly Furtado," says Sara Kordek of Good Taste Production - "and let's be honest, that's a strong clue about where the festival is headed". Hailed as the event's marquee performer, Furtado is making a comeback to Poznań after 17 years. Expect a crowd full of die-hards singing along to "Maneater" and swaying to "I'm Like a Bird" in front of the stage.
Also taking the stage that night is Natasha Bedingfield, who is riding a fresh wave of popularity thanks to the box-office hit romcom Anyone But You, social media, and the revival of her hit "Unwritten". She'll be joined by none other than Melanie C known from Spice Girls, dropping "Sporty Party", a proper DJ set mixing tracks from her solo albums and a few surprises she has announced. Rounding out the powerful female line-up is Julia Wieniawa performing fresh cuts from her upcoming album.
Right from day one, you will get the chance to let loose with Swedish DJ and music producer Salvatore Ganacci. Or, if you're more into guitar riffs mixed with powerful electronic beats, you can catch the American artist known as Two Feet. The cherry on the cake will be a performance by two gentlemen whose hits are well known from Poland's biggest radio stations. Who hasn't come across Duke Dumont's "Ocean Drive" or Rag'n'Bone Man's "Human" on the radio? Sure you have, on the radio - but live? Only in Poznań!
Eclectic with staying power
The organisers aimed to make the festival a serious player on the European circuit. To do that, they needed a big name, someone who is already a regular on the continent's biggest stages. And they nailed it. Eighteen Grammy nominations, a genre-bending sound that blends R'n'B, pop, rap, and even country, with raw, emotional lyrics, addictive choruses and that unique vocal. On Friday 15 August, none other than Post Malone will take over Cytadela Park.
But before it is time for Post, we are in for a futuristic visual-meets-sonic trip led by the one and only Empire of the Sun. Returning to Poland after a 15-year absence, the band will bring their one-of-a-kind theatrical flair and timeless hits. And if you're craving more genre-hopping, Ella Eyre is ready to blow the roof off with her blend of pop, soul, and drum & bass - giving us a sneak peek of her upcoming album. Another fresh addition, proving BitterSweet's finger is firmly on the pulse, is Yousuke Yukimatsu. This Japanese artist is quickly carving out a space on the global DJ stage following the release of his debut album Midnight is Comin.
Charisma, humility, and a proper knack for lighting up a stage - that's Jann, whose career has long since outgrown the Polish scene and is now making serious waves across Europe and even across the pond. Jann is also set to hit the stage on 15 August at Park Cytadela. And in a moment nobody saw coming, the Polish rapper Bedoes 2115 is making a rare return to the spotlight. After stepping away from music, the stage, and public life last November, he is back for one of only three live shows this season, bringing with him a project he has kept tightly under wraps. All we know is it's going to be truly unique.
The Poznań Triangle
The final day of the first-ever BitterSweet Festival is shaping up to be just as iconic. On Saturday, two massive stars will close out the weekend to everyone's enjoyment. First up: Taco Hemingway. A decade after the legendary Trójkąt warszawski, Hemingway will make his one and only performance in 2025 in Poznań! In addition to legendary tracks from 10 years ago, expect a trip through the archives - a journey through his entire body of work.
The other star of day three is none other than the DJ Peggy Gou. Despite being brief, her rise has been stratospheric: in just a few years, she has become a full-blown global phenomenon. Her unique style, sensual and bold, and her ability to blend diverse musical genres, have made her one of the most recognisable names in electronic music today.
An artist festivalgoers will definitely be eagerly awaiting is Loreen. The two-time Eurovision winner is coming to Poznań to show exactly why she has earned the title of "queen of European hearts." Expect performances of hits like "Tattoo" and "Euphoria". And if you're wondering if the festival has room for a bit of pogo, no doubt about it! That dose of chaos will be delivered courtesy of Viagra Boys, bringing their signature mix of satire, dark humour, and explosive live energy. Also taking the stage are Jan-rapowanie, and Apashe & Brass Orchestra - a genre-mashing act that fuses trap and dubstep with electronica and flourishes of classical music. And to round it all off, the British duo Hurts will take us down memory lane with "Wonderful Life", the chart-topper from fifteen years ago. Pure nostalgic gold!
Next Fest and Eventim
Besides the two main stages designated for big names, BitterSweet is carving out space for emerging voices. First, there's the Next Fest Stage - a chance - claim the organisers - to meet tomorrow's stars before they are famous. On the bill: Kosma Król, Maks Tachasiuk, Maz Univerze, NXDIA, RUBII, Shama, Wozz Lozowski, Zippy Ogar, po prostu Kajtek, Boron, and Wiktor Dyduła - who earned his slot by winning the audience vote at April's Next Fest Music Showcase & Conference.
Then there is the Eventim Stage, billed as "a space where time slows down - more thoughtfully, profoundly and tenderly." Expect reimagined works by Komeda performed by the Blue Jazz Orchestra of Poznań, songs from the musical Kombinat staged by Muzyczny Theatre, and wild piano arrangements from Marcin Masecki & Boleros Orchestra. There is even a performance by the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, with Agata Szymczewska on violin taking on works by Henryk Wieniawski.
Talking about what matters
The Eventim tent will host BitterSweet Talks designed to raise social issues. "Festivals are the perfect place to talk about the things that matter in a rather light way," says Sara Kordek. She adds, "Yes, you come to the festival for a good time, but it can only be good when you feel safe." That presumption sparked the creation of BitterSweet Talks - a mental health-focused initiative in collaboration with SEXED.PL and the UNAWEZA Foundation. The conversations will explore what it means to show up to big cultural events.
There will also be an on-site pre-psychological first aid point. Festivalgoers can head to designated safe zones where anyone feeling overwhelmed can take a breather, grab some water, or talk to trained staff. "We're not trying to run therapy sessions," explains Sara Kordek. "It's about awareness and three simple steps inspired by HelPPP (from "look, listen, connect' in Polish). Sometimes just asking someone "Is everything all right?' can turn their whole day around." It is that kind of care that the organisers want to build into the DNA of BitterSweet, showing that a festival can be about more than just the music.
A lot - and then some
With over 60 artists set to perform, you will definitely want to give the festival schedule a proper look. First editions are always a bit of a gamble - no one is sure yet if BitterSweet can go head-to-head with the heavyweights from Warsaw or the Tricity. But one thing is clear: Poznań is officially back on the festival map of Europe. And while there are still a few nerves, the overriding feeling is pure excitement. Because finally, we have a star-studded festival that other cities will be envious of.
Szymon Liedtke
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
BitterSweet Festival
Park Cytadela, 14-16.08.
for more, see: bittersweetfestival.pl
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2025