08/09/2026Keychange will mark the effective conclusion of its Leaders Programme at wrap-up sessions to be held at next week’s Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. It's a special programme for leaders across the music industry. Different Sounds in the Keychange Programme In 2019, as part of the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival, we joined the impressive global list of signatories to the extraordinary initiative that is Keychange. Two years later, in 2021, we became the network’s official Polish partner, which had a direct impact on our ongoing activities and on shaping the festival’s mission around an ever-greater commitment to inclusivity. As a result, audiences in Lublin have had the opportunity over the years to see outstanding female artists and innovators perform on our stage, all participating in this international movement supporting women and members of minorities in the European music scene. Keychange 2026 Launched in November 2024, the Talent Leadership Programme (TLP) has formed part of the Keychange Leaders project, which takes action to empower talented underrepresented genders and those who overcome barriers due to their identities with training, mentoring, conference access and network support. The initiative’s wrap up will bring together all 43 participants from 25 countries for a packed in-person programme, exclusive to the TLP cohort, which will mark the pinnacle of their efforts and learning journey. It will include an opening speech by Keychange Project Lead at Reeperbahn Festival, Christina Schäfers, in addition to the presence of esteemed experts such as Music Innovation Strategist, Agnes Chung, Senior Partnerships Manager at SoundCloud, Patricia Claper, and artist Pascal Schmid. The Keychange Leaders Talent Leadership Programme is a 6-month interactive training programme for aspiring Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (DEIA) change leaders, developing leadership techniques, building confidence and strategic skills by blending knowledge and tools with hands-on experience, personalised [...]
02/07/2026And just like that... it's over! East of Culture – Different Sounds 2026 has come to an end, but the echoes of it are still resonating beneath our skin... It was beautiful. It was loud. It was real. Thank you for sharing these four unforgettable days of musical discoveries, powerful emotions, and meaningful encounters with us. See you again next year – 1-4 July 2027. This was the 19th edition of the Lublin Different Sounds organized by Warsztaty Kultury and the 13th edition within the East of Culture, a project carried out by the Narodowe Centrum Kultury with funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and by three cities in eastern Poland – Lublin, Białystok, and Rzeszów. About the East of Culture – Different Sounds The East of Culture – Different Sounds festival is a tribute to musicians who choose authenticity over popularity built on artistic compromise. At a time when culture is increasingly becoming a luxury commodity, Different Sounds serves as a reminder that quality should never be a privilege. It is an event for those who believe that music can be a space for encounter, reflection, and a sense of community—not merely consumption. For seekers who understand that the greatest revelations emerge where there are no ready-made answers. In a world where everything seems to have a price, Different Sounds offers something beyond value: a moment when sound becomes a language of communication and the audience becomes a co-creator of the experience. This year’s line-up features Backengrillen, Therapy?, Sun Ra Arkestra, Dead Bob, Kap Bambino, Dälek, Tramhaus, Leila Bordreuil & Drew McDowall, Mats Gustafsson & Kimmo Pohjonen, Drank, Furia Plays Cinema, Marcin Masecki & Boleros, YANA, Hinode Tapes, Only Mess & Guests, Grupa Torpedo, AcidSitter, Nina Eba, Heinali & Andriana—Yaroslava Saienko, and The B17. [...]
27/07/2023I can confirm that Different Sounds still retain their identity and DNA, establishing itself as one of the most important summer festivals in Poland. Summer, in terms of the season, because the atmosphere here is far from lukewarm and the programme absolutely cannot be treated as a carbon copy of a few other commercially-driven events aimed at attracting audiences at all costs. Different Sounds, don't change, continue as you are – and let others learn from you how to create an extraordinary festival in the East and beyond!
27/06/2023"Different Sounds presents a diverse music scene beyond the Anglo-Saxon dominance, and offers way more than music."
10/06/2023"Don't miss out on this must-attend music festival in Poland. Perfect for those who crave something different.
28/05/2023"Different Sounds is a breeding ground for old-new music, serving as a driving force for the most outstanding artists."
28/06/2021"Lublin hasn't seen such a blast and an abundance of great music in a long time."
28/05/2021East of Culture - Different Sounds is one of the most inspiring music events in Poland, a unique gathering of diverse genres, styles, and harmonies.
- 30/06/2019
"What would Lublin lose without Different Sounds? Certainly, the chance to encounter artists who have had a profound impact on the development of contemporary music. For years, the Lublin festival has also been a place for surprising musical discoveries, so rare in contemporary media."
