Don't Panic: We're From Poland

While we were busy, running around Brighton a couple of weeks back catching the best in emerging music from around the globe, some of us found ourselves with a narrower focus and less distance to travel.

Every year The Great Escape Festival focuses its sights closely on one International country, bringing over the brightest and best it has to offer. And after travelling to 4000 cultural events in 28 countries, and playing to over 40 million people in the process, The Adam Mickiewicz Institute presented ‘Don’t Panic! We’re From Poland‘, mainly at the Dome Studios. So whilst revellers were traipsing the seaside boardwalks and leaning over the pier railings of Brighton’s quintessentially British holiday experience, we explored a vibrant and varied snapshot of the Polish music scene and have brought back thoughts on our favourite five acts.

KAMP!

Photograph by Charlotte Patmore

Synth pop trio KAMP! are fast becoming a highlight of Don’t Panic’s offerings, sounding like a more understated Phoenix run though with heavier 90s house vibes. Percussion driven rhythms move garage beats and hollow synths relentless forwards, crashing cymbals heightening the drama of their electronic concoctions. It’s heady thing to start a Saturday afternoon but we imagine as the sun goes down this would be the perfect late night dance floor accompaniment.

Brodka

Having emerged onto the scene at the tender age of 16 as Poland’s Pop Idol winner, Brodka’s bouncing electro pop certainly sounds more grounded live than it does on record. We definitely prefer the earthier approach her whispered vocals and humble stage presence give the euphoric proceedings on stage.

Tres. B

Photograph by Julie Edwards

Consisting of Danish/English drummer Thomas Pettit, Dutch/American vocalist/guitarist Olivier Heim and Polish singer Misia Furtak, Tres B. initially made a name for themselves in the Netherlands before releasing their full length album Scylla and Charybdis to wider acclaimed. Swelling, warm, nuanced acoustics fill the Dome Studio’s hazy air – intricate layers building to form classic pop structures that feel as familiar as they do startlingly off-kilter.

Enchanted Hunters

Photograph by ToriClarkson.com

Dreamy folk is definitely the best way to describe the creations of Margaret Penkalla, Magdalena Gajdzica and Patrick Zieliniewicz – aka Enchanted Hunters. Violin flutters, looped vocal harmonies and floating vocals permeate every inch of space within their creations and with no room to breath, our only option is to embrace the enveloping nature of the three-pieces’ sonics. It’s quite self-indulgent but it’s the perfect, relaxing, antitote to the weekend’s general hedonism.

Teielte

The work of Pawel Strzelczyk, Teielte’s show at The Great Escape was his first ever UK appearance but you wouldn’t have known it. Blending sparse, minimal beats with undercurrents of hip hop, falsetto vocal samples and dour piano lines with effortless ease, the producers offerings are hypnotising in their simplicity.