{"id":6054,"date":"2025-11-04T11:08:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T09:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ment.si\/?post_type=news&p=6054"},"modified":"2025-12-05T13:36:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:36:55","slug":"first-artist-and-speaker-announcement-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ment.si\/en\/news\/first-artist-and-speaker-announcement-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"First Artist and Speaker AnnounceMENT 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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Opening the festival: none other than <\/span>Shabjdeed & Al Nather<\/b>, the Palestinian duo spearheading the rebirth of Arab hip-hop. Raw. Political. Unfiltered. Their music fuses sharp social commentary with gritty experimental beats.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first night doesn\u2019t stop there. Expect the stage \u2013 and probably the floor, too \u2013 to erupt with <\/span>Kabeaush\u00e9<\/b>, the Kenyan visionary whose electrifying performances blend experimental pop, electronic energy and bold theatricality. <\/span>
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\n<\/span>Thursday opens with a sacred dialogue between two Ukrainian voices, <\/span>Heinali and Andriana\u2011Yaroslava Saienko present <\/b>\u0413\u0456\u043b\u044c\u0434\u0435\u0491\u0430\u0440\u0434\u0430 \/ Hildegard<\/i><\/b>, a spellbinding reimagining of medieval mysticism with modular synthesis and Ukrainian folk vocals. Later, the evening shifts as <\/span>Moin<\/b> takes the helm creating tense, rhythm-driven soundscapes that blur the line between post-rock, post-hardcore and club music. Moin\u2019s master percussionist <\/span>Valentina Magaletti<\/b> is also doing a solo show at Ljubljana Castle on Friday. Another delight of Thursday night are <\/span>Ho99o9<\/b> who are bringing their unhinged blend of punk, rap, and industrial noise to the stage, tearing through boundaries with a show as ferocious as a hurricane.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s club night CE\/MENT cements its place as an inseparable part of MENT \u2013 this time in its boldest and most diverse edition yet with <\/span>Skee Mask<\/b>, the Munich-based producer and DJ extraordinaire from the Ilian Tape crew, known for his boundary-pushing fusion of techno, jungle, IDM, and ambient that has made him one of the most respected figures in contemporary electronic music. The night brings the collaboration between<\/span> aya x MFO<\/b> who unite cutting-edge electronic experimentation with stunning live visuals, and also the sensorial onslaught from <\/span>Lifecutter\u2019s <\/b>DELUGE<\/i><\/b> \u2013 a dark and immersive A\/V experience exploring the tension between nature, noise, and the digital void.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ljubljana\u2019s multiple venues will host a lineup of artists, including <\/span>Rey Colino<\/b>, the Belgian selector and owner of the Kalahari Oyster Cult label whose exploratory, dancefloor-ready sets span acid, prog, electro, techno and IDM; and <\/span>DJ W\u00fcrm<\/b>, the Brussels-based multidisciplinary artist mixing chamber black metal textures, swampy rave sounds, and experimental club energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Local experimental ambient artist <\/span>Oka<\/b> presents her brand-new album <\/span>Larv<\/span><\/i>, an intimate diary for the future moved by water and constant change, while <\/span>plus44kaligula<\/b> makes her Slovenian debut \u2013 fierce, futuristic, and unforgettable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss the mysterious <\/span>Tristwch Y Fenywod<\/b>, a Welsh post-punk trio fusing haunting vocals with raw energy; <\/span>Milan W.<\/b>, a versatile artist known for blending electronic experimentation with emotional depth; the surreal worlds of <\/span>Juli\u00e1n Mayorga<\/b>; the sevdah-dreaming <\/span>Dunjaluk<\/b>; and the nomadic musical horde <\/span>Grunt<\/b> \u2013 each carving their own niche on the musical map.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expect screamo intensity from<\/span> zbrucz<\/b>, cheeky post-punk from <\/span>Beaks<\/b>, nostalgic indie heartache from <\/span>Ida The Young<\/b>, club-meets-guitar intensity from <\/span>Ki Klop<\/b>, pure oddball brilliance from <\/span>mal pre mal<\/b>, and the presentation of the new album by the noisy outfit <\/span>Hexenbrutal<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding high on his EP, <\/span>J. Ludvig III<\/b> takes sound into new dimensions <\/span>with technical drumming alongside emotive, melody-driven songwriting.<\/span> Razor-edged post-genre producer <\/span>Julek ploski <\/b>will disrupt the 2026 edition, and so will local talent <\/span>tachyon<\/b> with his extravagant lo-fi IDM. <\/span>mala roza muca & pixel.bambi <\/b>are bringing their electrifying fusion of hyper folk and dark vibes, the trip-hop band <\/span>Liamere<\/b> is presenting their third and finest album yet, while young drummer Gaj Bosti\u010d\u2019s new project <\/span>Mrk <\/b>is showcasing his own singular vision of jazz.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The MENT 2026 conference returns on February 19 and 20 at Kino \u0160i\u0161ka and M Hotel, bringing together artists, curators, and innovators. Expect interviews, round tables, mentorships, and networking sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the highlights is an interview with the fascinating drummer <\/span>Valentina Magaletti<\/b>, known for her solo work and collaborations with Moin, Nicolas Jaar, Bat for Lashes, Thurston Moore,\u00a0 and numerous other experimental projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the world of festivals come voices shaping the sound of summer. <\/span>David Arias<\/b> from <\/span>Primavera Sound<\/b>, <\/span>Cecilie Kragesteen Eickworth<\/b> of <\/span>Roskilde Festival<\/b>, and <\/span>Filip Ko\u0161t\u00e1lek<\/b> from <\/span>Colours of Ostrava<\/b> will share their perspectives on programming, discovery, and building festival identities in changing times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hannah TW<\/b> has a rare 360\u00b0 insight into the contemporary music industry. A creative consultant, commissioner, and community organiser, she has worked with artists such as Kae Tempest, Young Fathers, Robyn, Nala Sinephro, and L\u00e5psley, led the labels Big Dada and Konichiwa Records, and continues to open doors for new voices across music, film, and photography.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Seattle comes <\/span>Darek Mazzone<\/b>, a cultural producer, filmmaker, and long-time host of Wo\u2019Pop on <\/span>KEXP<\/b>, where he\u2019s championed global music for over three decades. He joins MENT for the first time, alongside booking agents <\/span>Eleanor McGuinness<\/b> from <\/span>Earth Agency<\/b> and <\/span>Riccardo Biondetti<\/b>, founder of <\/span>Swamp Booking<\/b>, both known for their adventurous artist rosters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Berlin-based curator <\/span>Michael Rosen<\/b> is the founder of <\/span>Digital in Berlin<\/b> and the acclaimed <\/span>Kiezsalon<\/b> concert series \u2013 one of the city\u2019s most respected platforms for adventurous music. His curatorial vision continues to build bridges between artists, audiences, and unconventional spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lukas Lassonczyk<\/b> of <\/span>Lasoundcheck Promo<\/b> has been shaping the German indie landscape for years, previously working with Mute Records and Domino Recording Company. His campaigns in the last years have supported artists such as Altin G\u00fcn, Beth Gibbons, Cat Power, and Franz Ferdinand, combining deep industry experience with an independent spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prague-based <\/span>Marek Miki\u010d<\/b> of <\/span>Fuchs2<\/b> curates the F2 Live concert series and festival, as well as projects like UGOT with Slovak rapper Dusan Vlk. His work connects up-and-coming global talent with local communities, building scenes and relationships across the region.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n\r\n

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Tickets \/ Vstopnice<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
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