wROCK for Freedom 2009 on Wyspa Słodowa: Hey, Acid Drinkers and Raz, Dwa, Trzy

The third edition of the independent wROCK For Freedom 2009 festival, taking place on 6 and 7 June under the theme “Breakthrough Bands of the Last Twenty Years”, promises to be truly exceptional. The festival will be held on Wyspa Słodowa in Wrocław

6–7 JUNE 2009

Twenty years ago, Poland’s groundbreaking events were followed by musical breakthroughs. As the country opened towards the West, artists emerged who captured the spirit of the times perfectly, giving listeners a sense of boundless space and freedom. Hey and Acid Drinkers adapted the energy of grunge and metal in their own distinctive ways, while Raz Dwa Trzy proved that previously controlled student culture could produce a unique sound and genuine poetry. The lads from Myslovitz drew their own conclusions from the explosion of British guitar pop, while Świetliki, led by a charismatic Kraków poet, hypnotised audiences by infusing the frail body of poetic song with the spirit of American avant-garde rock.

Younger artists followed, giving independent culture new meanings. Fisz, Emade and L.U.C. raised Polish hip-hop’s IQ, while EastWest Rockers and Masala interpreted the latest shades of reggae, dancehall and world music without embarrassment or unnecessary baggage. Fans of heavier sounds developed an almost cult devotion to Coma, particularly their simultaneously irritating and intriguing leader Piotr Rogucki. Lovers of post-rock and punk energy gathered at Pogodno concerts. Alongside the stars, the festival stage will also feature the winner of Wrocław’s wRock 2009 rock-band showcase.

As tradition dictates, the event will express solidarity with oppressed people worldwide, above all the citizens of Belarus and Tibet who fight for freedom every day. Nobody guided in life by the highest values shared by all should miss this event.

wROCK For Freedom is an entirely independent festival, unconnected with official celebrations and funded exclusively through ticket sales.

MYSLOVITZ

Well known to Wrocław audiences, this band from Mysłowice play music rooted in rock and Britpop. Artur Rojek’s distinctive voice ensures that listeners cannot remain indifferent to their work. Myslovitz have released hits including “Długość Dźwięku Samotności”, “Acidland” and “Sprzedawcy Marzeń”. The band have also ventured into film, both recording songs for soundtracks and appearing in cameo roles.

HEY

Polish rock legends, creators of countless hits, beginning with Teksański and Moja i Twoja Nadzieja, through Misie, Heleodory baby and Cisza, ja i czas, to Mimo wszystko. This band needs no introduction, and their concerts always attract a huge crowd of loyal fans.

RAZ, DWA, TRZY

A band that brings together rock music and contemporary poetry. They connect with audiences with remarkable ease. An intimate musical space built from acoustic instruments, a distinctive atmosphere and the literary qualities of the lyrics are the principal strengths that make Raz Dwa Trzy unique.

POGODNO

Filled with post-rock and punk energy, the debut “Pogodno” was an exceptionally eclectic record. Alongside punk songs, it featured electronic compositions with a blurred bass line. Keyboards enriched the second album’s sound, creating a wall of sound scored with experimental grooves. The first record’s madness expanded to embrace melody, complemented by the band’s characteristic post-rock energy. Pogodno are known for surprising concert arrangements and an extraordinary ease in connecting with audiences. Their music’s strength lies in combining intelligent lyrics with contemporary guitar arrangements.

ŚWIETLIKI

Świetliki formed in Kraków in October 1992. In 1993, they recorded their first album, Ogród Koncentracyjny, for independent label Music Corner. It attracted enormous interest from both the media and the public. Over 15 years, the band have consolidated their unique musical style, performing across Poland and firmly establishing themselves in many listeners’ consciousness. Marcin Świetlicki is not only the singer but, above all, a poet singing his own poems and the winner of numerous literary awards, including the Kościelski Award. This year, his latest poetry collection, Muzyka Środka, reached the seven-book shortlist for the Nike Award.

ACID DRINKERS

A legendary Polish thrash metal band, formed in Poznań in 1986. Initially playing thrash metal, they later moved towards a broader heavy sound. In Poland, they have opened for acts including Deep Purple, Megadeth, Bruce Dickinson, Sepultura, Paradise Lost and Slayer, while guests on their albums include Edyta Bartosiewicz, Kazik Staszewski, Illusion’s Tomek Lipnicki, Patrycja Kosiarkiewicz and Grzegorz Skawiński. Acid Drinkers won Fryderyk awards in the hard&heavy category in 1998, 2000 and 2004, as well as the Złoty Bączek for 1998 and 2007, an award from TVP2 in the best band category. Journalists and readers of Tylko Rock also named them one of the five best acts of the 1990s, alongside Hey, Kazik Staszewski, Edyta Bartosiewicz and O.N.A.

COMA

They have released just three albums, yet have been firmly established in fans’ minds for almost 10 years. Their music may be absent from commercial radio, but their followers know the words to every song. What makes Coma so popular? The answer can be found in their live performances: Coma are a concert powerhouse! They were known in rock circles long before releasing their first official album, and their path to popularity was rather unusual. For several years, Coma existed solely through concerts. Live shows remain the setting in which the band most powerfully captivate crowds, and there have been plenty of them throughout their history. It was Coma who supported stars such as Pearl Jam and Linkin Park. The Łódź outfit were also among the stars of Metal Hammer Festival at Katowice’s Spodek, appearing alongside acts including Tool.

FISZ EMADE

Over the past 7 years, the organic music of Fisz, Emade and their projects has become a symbol of musical eclecticism and artistic refinement. Although it emerged from Poland’s hip-hop scene, it now has little in common with it. Musically, Fisz and his producer Emade, also his drummer and brother, draw freely on the rich heritage of Black music. They often dress its still-vibrant soul, funk and jazz energy in the latest developments of the electronic avant-garde.

MASALA

This collective conquered Poland a few years ago and continues gaining popularity through excellent concerts and good records. Their music combines ragga, electro, ethnic sounds, hip-hop and other genres. The group emerged from an event promoting Maks Cegielski’s book “Masala”, where the journalist played several dance records brought back from India. The collective have performed at Berlin’s Multi Kulti Festival, Open'er Festival in Gdynia, Colours of Ostrava, Przystanek Woodstock, One Love Festival and Era Nowe Horyzonty in Wrocław. Masala are, above all, Praczas, Duże Pe and DJ Spox.

L.U.C – PLANET LUC

Called an “artist of the 21st century” and even named Person of the Year 2007 by Gazeta Wyborcza, L.U.C is an entirely new phenomenon in Polish art. Combining indefinable styles of Music, Word, Film and Graphics, he created Poland’s first fully interconnected multimedia album, among other achievements. His charismatic, visionary projects lie far beyond Polish show-business conventions. Usually, they form coherent, almost theatrical stories, with messages, concepts and dramatic arcs. L.U.C astonishes listeners with his tongue’s speed and agility.

EAST WEST ROCKERS

Over the past few years, EastWest Rockers have won the hearts of lovers of Jamaican sounds in Poland. From legendary events in Opole in early 2004 to appearances at major Polish and international festivals — Heineken Open’er 2007, Coke Live 2007, Bielawa Reggae Dub Festiwal 2007/2008, Ostróda Reggae 2007/2008, Hip-Hop Kemp 2007/2008 and Ethnic Session 2008 — EastWestRockers consistently receive top marks for vibrant concerts combining Jamaican style and a Polish atmosphere.