The Rockowizna Festival keeps getting better. Its awesome vibe appeals to rock fans of all ages, from those who remember the first cult Jarocin festivals to those born long after the first Przystanek Woodstock. While rock has often been called a genre past its prime, the thousands of fans rocking out at Ławica can't all be wrong. The turnout has been impressive both last year and the year before. "The Rockowizna Festival is designed to cater to a diverse audience. Our line-up is carefully curated to bring generations together. The bands we invite showcase a diverse range of rock," says Katarzyna Dudek, the festival's spokeswoman and PR officer.
This year, the Rockowizna Festival will span three cities, each with a slightly different programme. Poznań will feature 18 bands, including many well-known acts. The biggest buzz is around Coma. Although the band broke up in 2019, they're making a comeback after five years. Led by the charismatic Piotr Rogucki and known for hits like "Spadam" and "Los, cebula I krokodyle łzy", the band has promised to play a few concerts this year if voter turnout in last year's parliamentary elections exceeded 62%. Voters showed up in large numbers, and the band is keeping its promise.
The impressive line-up for Poznań's Rockowizna 2024 includes Kult, a legendary Polish rock band founded 42 years ago by Kazik Staszewski. With dozens of albums and countless concerts under their belt, their ever-growing fan base shows they're as genuine as ever. Also promising is the Swedish band Royal Republic, known internationally for their blend of garage rock and pop-punk, especially their hit "Tommy-Gun" sung along by audiences at concerts. Zalewski, who stormed onto the Polish music scene with his pop-rock hits and has consistently for years maintained a strong presence both on stage and in studios, is another act to look forward to.
The festival will also feature Nocny Kochanek and Łydka Grubasa, offering a lighter, more humorous take on rock. Nocny Kochanek's debut album "Hewi Metal" (2015) became an overnight sensation in Poland for its ironic twist on heavy metal, a rare approach in the genre lately. Łydka Grubasa, active since 2002, has been delivering witty punk rock tunes like "Rapapara" and "Gender".
Adding a different flavour, LemON, a Polish-Ukrainian band known for their diverse melodic hits and folk (Lemko, to be exact) influences, will bring more emotional and lyrical style, highlighted by Igor Herbut's unique vocals. Lastly, expect some heavy thrash metal with symphonic elements from Hunter, a band who will likely perform tracks from their standout albums, including "T.E.L.I..." (2005).
Also in the line-up is Lordofon, a young duo captivating listeners with their unique blend of rock, electronics and rap, showcased in their successful albums "Koło" (2019) and "Passé" (2023). Polish punk rock fans can look forward to Farben Lehre, while buffs of stronger, hardcore sounds will enjoy Pull The Wire. The festival also features Jelonek, Dirty Shirt, Proletaryat, Hurt, Transgresja, and The Bill. Topping it all off will be Zenek Kupatasa, a mischief-maker known from the band Kabanos, now a solo artist delivering a solid dose of metal punk rock with a humorous twist.
A festival town complete with a tent/camping site, and a large food zone will be set up on Rockowizna festival grounds. Attendees will get a chance to enjoy music around the clock for three days, without even leaving the airport. As for the festival's future, Katarzyna Dudek wants it to become a cult event, attracting a growing crowd every year. "That's why we enhance our line-ups and develop festival infrastructure with each edition. We aim to get closer to this goal," she says. And if their current growth is any indication, they seem well on their way to success!
Sebastian Gabriel
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
- Rockowizna Festival 2024 in Poznań
- Ławica Airport
- 22-24 August
- tickets: PLN 199-299
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024