The lineup scales the full sonic spectrum: from the Katowice-based collective Furia, who fuse extreme metal with theatrical performance, to the Tricity trio Hinode Tapes, exploring the outer limits of jazz and electronics, and the neoclassical pianist YANA, who bridges the gap between acoustic keys and modular synthesis. The programme ranges from revolutionary reinterpretations of 70s Polish classics by Grupa Torpedo and the Latin-American rhythmic inflections of Marcin Masecki, to the fuzz-drenched psych-rock of Krakow’s AcidSitter and the abrasive, raw energy of Only Mess. This curation proves that Polish music continues to innovate, shattering genre tropes and capturing the attention of global critics and audiophiles alike.

This marks the 19th edition of Different Sounds organised by Workshops of Culture and the 13th instalment under the East of Culture banner—a collaborative project by the National Centre for Culture, funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, spanning the three major hubs of Eastern Poland: Lublin, Białystok, and Rzeszów.

For several years, the Polish music scene has been undergoing a remarkable renaissance characterised by genre-fluidity and a fearless approach to hybridity. Tradition collides with the avant-garde, while the visceral emotional weight of alternative music harmonizes with sophisticated jazz compositions and theatrical scores.

Different Sounds has long served as a sonic mirror for this dynamic, intentionally avoiding aesthetic silos to create a space for cross-genre dialogue. The 2026 edition doubles down on this polyphonic character, featuring artists who have not only mastered their respective crafts but are actively deconstructing them—from industrial metal and improvisational jazz to psychedelic rock, Latin rhythms, and eclectic 70s revivals. This diversity transforms the festival into a living laboratory of contemporary art, where every set is a unique narrative told through a distinct sonic vocabulary.

Furia gra kino – Furia is arguably one of the most creatively potent forces in the Polish scene today. While they remain the undisputed heavyweights of the black metal underground, the Katowice outfit has transcended the genre into an “open category,” earning widespread critical acclaim (including a Paszport Polityki nomination) and a massive, diverse following. Their discography is a masterclass in conceptual depth, featuring award-winning LPs like Księżyc milczy luty and Huta Luna, as well as site-specific live recordings like Guido (tracked 320 meters underground in a coal mine) and W Śnialni. Their integration into Jan Klata’s staging of Wyspiański’s The Wedding cemented their status as a trans-disciplinary powerhouse. At this year’s festival, they present “Furia gra kino” (lit. Furia plays cinema), a multisensory performance where their signature wall of sound meets haunting archival film imagery of Old Silesia.

Marcin Masecki & Boleros – Marcin Masecki stands as a singular figure in Polish music, blending a phenomenal improvisational imagination with elite technical proficiency. A piano virtuoso, composer, and conductor, Masecki is equally at home in the rigorous world of classical music as he is in experimental pop. Through projects like Jazz Band Młynarski-Masecki, Paristetris, and Profesjonalizm, he has consistently expanded the parameters of jazz. His accolades include an Eagle Award (Orzeł) for the Back to Those Days soundtrack and a key role in the global success of Paweł Pawlikowski’s Cold War. Currently scoring Requiem for a Dream for the stage, Masecki comes to Lublin with Boleros y Más, a deep dive into his lifelong obsession with Latin American boleros. Leading an ensemble of Poland’s finest jazz instrumentalists, Masecki notably takes on the role of lead vocalist for this project.

YANA – YANA (Joanna Bieńkowska) is a Tricity-based pianist and composer. A classically trained violinist from the Academy of Music, her artistic trajectory shifted toward the intersection of keys, strings, and electronic soundscapes. With two critically acclaimed albums, Solance and Daydreamer, and releases on Ólafur Arnalds’ prestigious OPIA label, she has become a leading voice in the modern classical movement. Following high-profile sessions in Warsaw and Reykjavik, her performance at Different Sounds is a prime opportunity to witness one of the most compelling figures in contemporary Polish composition.

Hinode Tapes – Emerging from the Tricity indie scene—long considered the epicentre of Polish alternative jazz—Hinode Tapes is a power trio of elite instrumentalists. Piotr Kaliński (Hatti Vatti) is an electronic polymath known for Nanook of the North and Janka. Piotr Chęcki is a saxophonist and leader of Nene Heroine (whose album 4 was named 2025 Album of the Year by Gazeta Wyborcza). Jacek Prościński is a top-tier percussionist (Lasy, Llovage) who collaborates with icons like Tymon Tymański, Mikołaj Trzaska, Maria Peszek, and Olo Walicki. Together, they operate at the nexus of jazz, ambient, and electroacoustic improvisation, creating immersive, texture-heavy soundscapes.

Only Mess & Guests – Only Mess operates at the jagged intersection of hardcore, punk, and post-punk, citing the angular influence of legends like Fugazi and NoMeansNo. It is fitting that their records are released by Antena Krzyku, a legendary imprint synonymous with the underground. The band features veterans of the Polish alternative circuit (Hidden World, Infradźwięki). For their Different Sounds set, they are expanding their sonic palette with special guests: Łukasz Jędrzejczak (Javva, Alameda), Moriah Woods (The Feral Trees), and Tadeusz Cieślak (Teo Olter Quintet, Adamant).

Grupa Torpedo – A high-octane collective founded by Bartek Pazura (DJ Papa Zura of Soul Service/Polish Funk fame) and Igor Nikiforov. Rounded out by members of groups like Tropical Soldiers in Paradise, Pokusa, P. Unity, Współgłosy, Babadag, and Beluga Stone, this supergroup deconstructs 1970s Polish classics. By injecting vintage analogue warmth with modern groove, they serve as a sonic bridge between generations. Their setlist features “deep cut” gems from the likes of Niebiesko-Czarni, Breakout, Krystyna Prońko, Czesław Niemen, Czerwone Gitary, Kombi, Test, and Andrzej Zaucha.

AcidSitter – This Krakow-based, Polish-Japanese quartet has rapidly ascended to the top of the guitar scene. Grounded in psych-rock and the vintage aesthetics of the 60s and 70s, their sound—best captured on the debut Make Acid Great Again—is a high-energy blend of trance-inducing psychedelia, melodic rock’n’roll, and punk urgency. After touring extensively across Europe and the Baltics (including festivals in Germany, the Netherlands, Czechia, Finland, and the Balkans), they bring their reverb-heavy live show to Lublin this July.

Who else is joining the bill at Different Sounds?

These are the latest acts to join the festival programme. Previously, the organisers of Different Sounds announced that the following artists will also perform in Lublin:

Backengrillen – A powerhouse collective uniting members of the iconic Swedish group Refused with the uncompromising free jazz titan Mats Gustafsson. The project masterfully synthesizes punk, hardcore, and noise with high-velocity jazz improvisation.

Therapy? – Hailing from Larne, Northern Ireland, these guitar-noise legends have been a constant force since 1989. For many fans of alternative rock and metal, Therapy? represents the gold standard of the genre.

Dead Bob – The latest project from John Wright, the drummer and co-founder of the legendary Nomeansno. While punk rock provides the rhythmic foundation (much like his work with NMN), Dead Bob fearlessly pushes past traditional genre boundaries.

Kap Bambino – A French duo founded in 2001, Orion Bouvier and Caroline Martial (Bordeaux) craft electronic music deeply rooted in alternative sensibilities. They have taken the European club and festival circuit by storm with their abrasive, high-energy sets.

Dälek – An American outfit from Newark, active since 1998. They deliver a visceral fusion of heavy, industrial beats, old-school rap delivery, and socially conscious lyricism, with stylistic experiments ranging from jazz and noise to metal.

Tramhaus – A Rotterdam-based post-punk force currently regarded as one of the most vital acts in the global guitar-alt renaissance.

Leila Bordreuil & Drew McDowall – A duo committed to deep sonic exploration. Bordreuil is a New York-based cellist and composer; McDowall is a Scottish legend of the European electronic avant-garde and a long-time member of the cult groups Coil and Psychic TV.

Sun Ra Arkestra – The legendary intergalactic collective founded in the 1950s by Herman Poole Blount (Sun Ra). Their performance is a cosmic tapestry of jazz, blues, electronics, swing, and space rock, all governed by the spirit of free improvisation.

Mats Gustafsson & Kimmo Pohjonen –  Gustafsson is a Swedish saxophonist considered one of the most prolific and respected figures in the modern independent scene. He is joined by Pohjonen, an accordion virtuoso known for his idiosyncratic style and revolutionary approach to composition.

Drank – A duo featuring Ingrid Schmoliner (piano) and Alex Kranabetter (trumpet/electronics), both leading figures in the vibrant Austrian experimental and improvised music scene.

About the Festival

The East of Culture – Different Sounds festival is a tribute to artists who prioritise creative truth over commercial compromise. In an era where culture is often treated as a luxury commodity, Different Sounds serves as a reminder that artistic quality should not be a privilege.

This is an event for those who view music as a space for reflection, community, and authentic encounter—shifting the focus from mere consumption to genuine connection. It is for the seekers who know that the most profound sonic revelations happen where there are no easy answers. In a world where everything has a price, Different Sounds offers the invaluable: a moment where sound becomes a universal language and the audience evolves into a co-creator.

Admission to the festival remains free. Stay tuned for more announcements!

Web: www.differentsounds.eu | nck.pl

East of Culture – Different Sounds
2-5 July 2026, Lublin
Admission free

Organisers: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, National Centre for Culture, City of Lublin, Workshops of Culture in Lublin.