Next Fest follows in the footsteps of the immensely popular Spring Break, a spring-time fixture in Poznań from 2014 to 2020. "For Poland, it was ground-breaking. It shattered the notion that festivals had to be confined to one large stage on the outskirts, instead spreading across a dozen or more venues in the city centre. It wasn't just 20 concerts, but an astounding 120, all within three days! It also provided a platform for young newcomers, much like the historic Jarocin and Opole festivals did in the past", explains Michał Wiraszko, Next Fest's artistic director.
Why the rebrand? The pandemic shook the cultural scene to its core. This prompted organisers to create a new broader platform for fans of diverse music trends, spanning pop, rock, jazz, folk, electronic, hip-hop, and alternative genres. As Wiraszko notes, music and the fanbase proved resilient, as demonstrated by the successful inaugural edition of Next Fest last year.
"The artistic community eagerly anticipates a fresh start with the upcoming "Poznań musical spring", prompting them to embark on a new chapter and set things in motion again," says Wiraszko. "This may sound trivial, but there is a good reason for scheduling the event for spring. We genuinely believe that this April weekend in Poznań will spark countless ideas and connections, while staging concerts by Poland's most fascinating artists", explains Agnieszka Kopiewska, Next Fest's communications lead.
Just like last year, this year's festival edition boasts a plethora of concerts featuring both established stars and, most importantly, rising talent who are steadily making their mark in the industry. The Kacperczyk brothers, injecting youthful and poetic vibes into Poland's contemporary hip-hop scene, are bound to attract considerable attention. Similarly, the Łona x Konieczny x Krupa trio, a collaboration between one of Poland's most popular rappers and musicians from the Poznań band Siema Ziemia, promises an exciting performance. Also on the roster is the bittersweet Kaśka Sochacka, whose subtle artistry deeply touches audiences, and Vito Bambino, a fountain of creativity known for blending catchy pop with alternative R&B.
Adding to the excitement is the presence of Polish rock legend, the vocalist Małgorzata Ostrowska, who hails from Poznań, along with the fearless international stage conqueror, bassist Kinga Głyk, and Sara James, another Poznań-based singer who made waves by reaching the finals of the popular overseas talent show America's Got Talent. Moreover, Next Fest will showcase some prominent comebacks, including the folk romantic Fismoll, who will present his new album Pomiędzy, and promising opening acts, such as Tomek Ziętek, known not only for his acting prowess but also for his talent as a singer-songwriter.
Moving on to the next act? Ania Rusowicz, a familiar face in Poznań, will lead us on a nostalgic journey back to the 1960s and 1970s. Joining her will be the synthpop duo Karaś, Rogucki with their latest album Atlas Iskier, and the Coals project, whose unique, fully artistic dream pop is becoming all the rage, not just in Poland. And if that's not enough, brace yourself for a wild ride with Łąki Łan, the funk group Poluzjanti and the Kury ensemble teaming up with Tymon Tymański for a complete rendition of their cult and somewhat forgotten album P.O.L.O.V.I.R.U.S.
But wait, there's more! These concerts are but a tip of the iceberg of what's in store at the upcoming festival. Next Fest isn't just about the big names; it's about showcasing dozens of up-and-coming bands and performers who prove that the Polish music underground scene is thriving across all genres and styles. The organisers emphasise that at Next Fest, "newcomers share the stage with established stars and vice versa." And this year their numbers will exceed 130!
"Aside from the opportunity to flaunt their art before a knowledgeable and seasoned crowd made up of various music industry professionals, these young artists will also gain invaluable hands-on insights into navigating every aspect of the music business", explains the artistic director of Next Fest.
Just a quick glance at the festival line-up will take your breath away. You've got Electronic Indie, reminiscent of Al Zastara's disco duo, colliding with the Bruklin's classic rock power. Then there is Jagoda Kret's enchanting blues meeting June66's wild glam rock. Patryk Skoczyński is bringing the funky pop, and the avant-garde group Santabarbara, featuring Szczepan, Łukasz and Nikodem Pospieszalski, will showcase the fascinating fusion of avant pop, electronics, and jazz.
Other artists include Wolska, Tonfa, Lui Gawrońska, Dziwna Wiosna, Mùlk, Oskar Cyms, and Joulie Fox. And don't worry if these names don't mean much to you. At Next Fest, you will regret not having encountered them earlier! "We have offered our stages not only to experienced bands, such as Agora Muzyka and Kayax, but also, and primarily in fact, to independent labels such as Fonobo Label, Antena Krzyku, Peleton Records, 33 Records and Blue Label", explains Agnieszka Kopiewska.
The streaming services Spotify and Tidal are gearing up to assist festival attendees in curating their own personalised music playlists, perfect for enhancing the festival experience and sparking inspiration. "We've put together special playlists organised by musical genres. It's great to explore various music styles and uncover something you'll truly love. We're aiming for festival-goers to dive into different genres during Next Fest, hoping each person finds their next favourite artist", Kopiewska explains.
If we zoom in on artists hailing from Poznań, it becomes evident that the concert line-up expands beyond just the city centre, covering all days of the event. "We're excited to have rapper Łona teaming up with Poznań-based artists Konieczny and Krupa, especially since their collaborative album Taxi is truly outstanding and was partly crafted right here in Poznań. We'll also have several talented local vocalists: Małgorzata Ostrowska, who will debut her latest album, along with Rosalie and Kasia Lins. Strengthening the Poznań roster is Iwona Skv. On the male front, notable mentions go to Rusina and Bango Balenci. Additionally, we'll showcase newcomers from the city's project My Name Is Poznań, such as Stan Zapalny, Siding, Massel, and Korea," lists Michał Wiraszko.
Yet, Next Fest also serves as a platform for introspection, education, and knowledge-sharing. The agenda is packed with numerous panel discussions and sessions featuring music industry experts. So, what's on the agenda? A wide array of topics, covering promotion, distribution, international collaboration, cultural equity, social engagement, and the most pressing issues facing the music industry, discussed based on the experience of representatives of major and independent labels (Kayax, SP Records, Toinen Music and SBM Label), managers (Inharmony, E-Muzyka and Music Managers Academy), journalists (Gazeta Wyborcza, Radio Afera, Antyradio, and RMF Maxx), event organisers (Prestige MJM, Grupa MTP, Stary Browar), and artists themselves.
"In addition to the usual topics, we'll be diving into copyright issues, as well as performance and production rights, which continue to raise doubts, especially among young artists. Needless to say, we'll also be shining spotlight on mental health and the challenges artists face. Alongside these discussions, we'll be hosting workshops on photography and writing, as well as more relaxed networking sessions and speed meetings to foster connections", remarks the artistic director of Next Fest.
The festival offers an opportunity to address the state of cultural infrastructure in cities, much of which leaves a lot to be desired. "We will explore how cities can support music scenes and the benefits of fostering a vibrant artistic community. The new Musical Theatre building in Poznań will serve as a good starting point for these discussions", notes Agnieszka Kopiewska, highlighting that the panel sessions will also delve into production-related cultural matters and stage etiquette, i.e. guidelines for ensuring a concert is a success not only on but also off stage. "We'll also tackle the creation of an artist's brand and image, communication strategies, and, on a completely different note, artificial intelligence and the future of music."
Just like last year, Next Fest 2024 won't be confined to one venue but will sprawl across several locations. The Castle (Zamek) Cultural Centre will serve as the main hub, while Wolności Square will host some major concerts. Other venues on the list include various clubs, such as Scena na Piętrze, Tama, Blue Note, Lokum, Dragon Social Club, Pies Andaluzji, The Dubliner Irish Pub, Schron, Muchos, Pod Minogą, Barock Club and SARP Social Club. Make sure you don't miss out on these locations, not just for the concerts, but also for festival exhibitions, workshops, and after-concert parties.
As emphasised by the organisers, Next Fest venues have been carefully selected with distance in mind. "All locations are in the heart of Poznań, making it a breeze to hop from one venue to another so you can reach your long-awaited concert within minutes. And to make navigation even smoother, we'll be rolling out a festival app a few weeks before the event", the organisers announce.
But the app isn't just about finding your way to concerts by your favourite or interesting artists. It's also your go-to for finding a place to chill and recover between shows. It will point you to coffee shops and restaurants that are part of the festival scene, offering special deals for attendees.
Asked about the future of Next Fest, Wiraszko and Kopiewska didn't hold back on their big dreams. "We're eyeing the international stage for the festival's future. Even this year, we've got artists from Ukraine (Gordiy Starukh, Nina Eba, Sophistication), Hungary (Saya Noe, OIEE, Zóra), as well as Finland, France, and Luxembourg on the line-up. Needless to say, Polish music will always be at the core. But we're equally excited about Polish newcomers mixing it up and swapping ideas and musical know-how with their international counterparts. Our goals for the years ahead are to achieve integration on many levels and gradually scale up", reveals the head of Next Fest's communications. "And, more broadly, we're aiming for recognition and influence across Europe, taking cues from events like Reeperbahn in Hamburg, Eurosonic in the Netherlands and The Great Escape in the UK", adds Michał Wiraszko.
Next Fest embodies three key elements crucial in today's music scene: passion, professionalism, and creativity. It's a celebration of music and artists, designed to discover new talent and ignite inspiration. We are committed to giving it all we've got, whether on or off stage!
Sebastian Gabriel
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
- Next Fest Music Showcase & Conference 2024
- 18-20 April
- Various venues
- Tickets and passes: PLN 137-229
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024