We’re kicking off the second announcement by jumping straight to the closing night — joining us at CE/MENT are German rising star Polygonia, a singular selector known for her groovy, trippy sets at the intersection of techno, bass and breakbeat, MMali b2b Obscur, bringing a deep and raw synergy to the decks, and Sahara Transport Services with her signature high-intensity bass assault.

Friday is booked for the traditionally adventurous evening at the Ljubljana Castle, featuring Sujevera with their richly textured experimental sonics, Dominik Prok’s acoustic takeover of the scenic castle chapel, Juli Deák’s intimate flute explorations, COLLIGNON‘s explosive global psych grooves, and Maria Mazzotta’s poignant southern Italian vocal traditions.

It doesn’t stop there. On Friday, we are pushing the tempo with the wild energy of Nexus (B4MBA + MOOKI6), a duo blending club futurism with a unique performance flair, followed by Australia’s Vv Pete & UTILITY with their novel, raw hip-hop vision rooted in Sudanese heritage. The unstoppable couple Lottie & Lerro, ambassadors of the trippy and progressive side of post-90s house and trance, will take the reins in the wee hours following Rey Colino’s DJ set.

The world hums with sounds of every shape: one such bold example is Gordan, a Serbo–Austro–German trio reimagining traditional Balkan motifs through an avant rock lens; Italian Gaia Banfi explores atmospheric art pop; and Madra Salach offer an innovative, contemporary twist on Irish folk as the festival opener. While London’s new wave of forward-thinking jazz comes in the shape of oreglo, whose music encapsulates the exploratory spirit of Brownswood Recordings.

Those craving loud, in-your-face guitars should look up the hardcore unit SUPLEXX, known for their crushing intensity; N8NOFACE, the US apostle of politically charged darkwave synthpunk; Bulgarian group TDK’s razor-sharp riffage; and Eosine’s gorgeously distorted dreamscapes.

INSAN present their new album Planet Tuga, a striking fusion of Yugoslav new wave, synth-pop and post-punk influences molded into a fresh and original sound. TYSON brings raw emotion rooted in leftfield r&b, trip-hop, and soulful experimentalism; Hana Fatur unveils her evolving vision with an international band, weaving art pop, contemporary folk, and cinematic chamber textures; and GARDENS provide lush, textured songs that drift between dream pop, slowcore, and gentle indie psychedelia.

Lino Camilo, a child of the Viennese underground, teases us with their upcoming debut album, a coming-of-age tale that playfully mixes soft-via-surf rock with indie and new wave. Max Baby injects his charming experimental pop rock with glitchy hooks and mischievous hyperpop energy. Turkish-Dutch pixie-pop artist Min Taka brings her distinctive blend of indie, liquid drum’n’bass, synth-pop, and hyperpop, exploring themes of identity, belonging, femininity, and connection. And Belgrade’s Mitsko Biće promises a hazy fusion of bedroom pop and indie, weaving in gentle folk flourishes to create a warm, wistful world.

Rounding out the announcement, BRAMA fuses heavy folk ritualism, droning hurdy-gurdy textures and razor-sharp guitar riffs. Krautrock, French folk, and noise-pop coalesce into a contemporary rock sound with an Occitan flavour. DUNYHA cracks Transylvanian folk songs and lets their emotional core spill into the present. The ensemble mixes free improvisation with flashes of punk and doom metal, creating a sound that feels both ancient and new. And Meral Polat delivers her powerful blend of Turkish-Kurdish-Alevite traditions and contemporary expressions. Echoes of Anatolian mountain songs reverberate through atmospheric grooves that channel desert blues, Afrobeat, and Anatolian rock.

SECOND SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

We’re excited to announce 20 new speakers joining the MENT 2026 conference, taking place on 19–20 February at Kino Šiška and M Hotel.

Mo Dafa, programmer at London’s iconic Cafe OTO, is coming for an in-depth interview moderated by Davorka Begović, a freelance musicologist, curator, and co-runner of Zagreb’s Kontejner, an international bureau of contemporary art practice.

Shawn Reynaldo returns to MENT. The influential electronic music journalist and curator behind the First Floor newsletter will lead a panel on the shifting landscape that has been reshaping music scenes and brands throughout 2025.

Perspectives on the Czech live scene will be shared by experienced promoters Anthony Jouet (Fource Entertainment), Barbora Sikorová (FLÉDA, ReConnect, BACH), and Jana Michalcová (Heartnoize Promotion).

From inside the world of digital platforms, Deniz Everling (Bandcamp) will discuss developments on one of the most vital digital ecosystems for music in 2026. Ira Kolbezen (Glitterbeat Records) is joining us to discuss how music is released today and how relationships function within an artist’s wider team.

Rey Colino will be with us day and night, not only performing on Friday but also sitting down for an exclusive interview covering his work as a DJ, producer, and founder of the Kalahari Oyster Cult label and the One Eye Witness distribution network, known for supporting forward-thinking club music and independent scenes worldwide.

Ruth Koleva (So Alive Music Conference, Sofia Live Fest, BG) joins a conversation on artist mobility and the role of the Balkan music scene within the EU ecosystem. Laura Tandarić (Močvara, HR) and Naiara Lasa (Sala Apolo, ES) will present their work at two key Liveurope venues, followed by insights on the next Creative Europe cycle from Liveurope’s general coordinator Fernando Bittencourt Hersan.

We’re also welcoming a group of agents from across Europe to explore regional dynamics in the
live sector: Yvan Ducret – a key figure at Soyouz agency, works across international artist development with a focus on innovative and genre-defying talent from France; Amin Raffed represents A Gauche de la Lune, bringing experience in live promotion and touring for emerging and established French acts; Anita Richelli is an agent, promoter and booker at Brighter Agency and Most Wanted: Music, known for shaping forward-thinking initiatives in the German music landscape; at the 44BookingBiro, Laura Matijašević specializes in regional and international bookings, supporting the growth of independent artists from Croatia and beyond; Marco Portello works with Swamp Booking, curating adventurous touring routes and representing a roster of boundary-pushing alternative musicians; Koen ter Heegde is the driving force behind Yugofuturism and Vikendica, dedicated to connecting Western and Southeastern European scenes through visionary curation and cultural exchange.

More speakers and programme details coming soon.

Tickets / Vstopnice