For its 2013 edition, Barcelona's "premier leftfield rock and dance fest on the sea" (as the Guardian puts it) Primavera Sound reinstates its reputation for lining up the most innovative, forward-thinking acts in Europe: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Dead Can Dance, My Bloody Valentine, the Vaccines, Tame Impala, Blur, Hot Chip, Dexys and Swans.
On this game bill are three acts from Poland: Plum, Twilite and Fuka Lata. Bringing noise-rock from the northern city of Starogard Szczeciński, indie-pop played on two acoustic guitars, and ethereal and mystical electronic music, the three bands perform as part of the showcase Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland. The concerts are accompanied by discussion panels for specialists working in the music industry.
Plum
Taking listeners to a "place where coarseness, clamour and neurotic trance verging on insanity meet subtlety, emotional refinement and compositional diversity", the noise-rock trio Plum was set up in 1999 by brothers Rafał and Marcin Piekoszewscy. A niche band, their music might be considered a mixture of blues, punk or even post-hardcore and noise. "Highly recommended for enthusiasts of Sonic Youth, Pixies or Queens of the Stone Age" as one critic wrote.
Twilite
Considered one of the best Polish indie-pop bands, their acoustic songs belong to the best traditions of avant-folk. Twilite sets its bets on a balanced combination of two acoustic guitars and two vocalists in devising haunting melodies with the right amount of melancholy, unique sensitivity and an elusive smooth aura. As far as acoustic guitars permit, they often surprise with sudden explosions of noisy, dissonant sounds. They’ve released two full-length albums to date, attracting audiences with the blend of melancholy, sensitivity and that elusive aura, prickling with explosive chords. Formed in 2006, they have performed at some of the biggest international festivals: SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, Europavox Festival in France, Waves Vienna Festival in Austria, Glimps Festival in Belgium.
Fuka Lata
A space pop-infused adventure tainted with clashing synthetic melancholia, romantic imagery from the 1980s and experimental harmonies, the Polish electronic music duo Fuka Lata paints colour-infused landscapes with sound. Formed by Lee Margot and Dr Mito who work on the top floor of a Warsaw skyscraper and often watch swallows diving in the sky, Fuka Lata travel a lot around Eastern Europe and Germany, playing gigs, meeting people and synthesizing their goals. They will release a full-length album in spring 2013.
An ongoing international programme of concerts by rising stars in contemporary Polish music, produced by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Don't Panic! We're from Poland is a guest at the Primavera Sound festival for the third time. Primavera takes place between the 21st and 26th of May and is called Europe's best alternative music festival, with an impressive range and format that have influenced the European festival scene. Situated on the coast with some stages on the beach, Primavera Sound offers six outdoor stages and one of the biggest auditoriums in Europe.
Polish participation in Primavera Sound:
Tuesday, May 21st
Don`t Panic! We`re from Poland Showcase
Apolo, nou de la Rambla 111
Fuka Lata 7:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Twilite 8:30 pm – 9:15 pm
Plum 10:30 pm – 11:15 pm
Wednesday, May 22nd
Panel: The Eastern Countries Market
4 pm – Hotel Diagonal Zero
Participants: Reinhold Seyfriedsberger (Ink Music)
Reha Oztunali (Artistic Ideas)
Piotr Lewandowski (PopUp Music)
Michał Hajduk (Adam Mickiewicz Institute)
Krzysztof Gałkowski (Bang! Bang!)
Thursday, May 23rd
Polish networking meeting
3 pm – Hotel Diagonal Zero
Don`t Panic! We`re from Poland party
4 pm – Hotel Diagonal Zero
Concert by Twilite and DJ Spotifight
Showcase Don`t Panic! We`re from Poland
Parc Del Forum – Adidas Originals stage
Plum 10 pm – 10:45 pm
Twilite 11:15 pm – 12 pm
Saturday, May 25th
Don`t Panic! We`re from Poland Showcase
Parc Del Forum – Adidas Originals stage
Fuka Lata 1.45 am – 2.30 am
For more information see: Primavera Sound Festival
Sources: Primavera Sound website, The Guardian, Don’t Panic! press release, Polish Sound
Editor: MJ 20.05.2013