{"id":6593,"date":"2025-12-02T10:45:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T08:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ment.si\/?post_type=news&p=6593"},"modified":"2025-12-05T13:47:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:47:32","slug":"second-artist-and-speaker-announcement-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ment.si\/en\/news\/second-artist-and-speaker-announcement-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Artist and Speaker AnnounceMENT 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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We\u2019re kicking off the second announcement by jumping straight to the closing night \u2014 joining us at CE\/MENT are German rising star <\/span>Polygonia<\/b>, a singular selector known for her groovy, trippy sets at the intersection of techno, bass and breakbeat, <\/span>MMali b2b Obscur<\/b>, bringing a deep and raw synergy to the decks, and <\/span>Sahara Transport Services<\/b> with her signature high-intensity bass assault.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friday is booked for the traditionally adventurous evening at the Ljubljana Castle, featuring <\/span>Sujevera<\/b> with their richly textured experimental sonics, <\/span>Dominik Prok<\/b>\u2019s acoustic takeover of the scenic castle chapel, <\/span>Juli De\u00e1k<\/b>\u2019s intimate flute explorations, <\/span>COLLIGNON<\/b>‘s<\/span>\u00a0explosive global psych grooves, and <\/span>Maria Mazzotta<\/b>\u2019s poignant southern Italian vocal traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t stop there. On Friday, we are pushing the tempo with the wild energy of <\/span>Nexus (B4MBA + MOOKI6)<\/b>, a duo blending club futurism with a unique performance flair, followed by Australia\u2019s <\/span>Vv Pete & UTILITY<\/b> with their novel, raw hip-hop vision rooted in Sudanese heritage. The unstoppable couple <\/span>Lottie & Lerro<\/b>, <\/span>ambassadors of the trippy and progressive side of post-90s house and trance, <\/span>will take the reins in the wee hours following Rey Colino\u2019s DJ set.<\/span><\/p>\n

The world hums with sounds of every shape: one such bold example is <\/span>Gordan<\/b>, a Serbo\u2013Austro\u2013German trio reimagining traditional Balkan motifs through an avant rock lens; Italian <\/span>Gaia Banfi<\/b> explores atmospheric art pop; and <\/span>Madra Salach<\/b> offer an innovative, contemporary twist on Irish folk as the festival opener. While London\u2019s new wave of forward-thinking jazz comes in the shape of <\/span>oreglo<\/b>, whose music encapsulates the exploratory spirit of Brownswood Recordings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those craving loud, in-your-face guitars should look up the hardcore unit <\/span>SUPLEXX<\/b>, known for their crushing intensity; <\/span>N8NOFACE<\/b>, the US apostle of politically charged darkwave synthpunk; Bulgarian group <\/span>TDK<\/b>\u2019s razor-sharp riffage; and <\/span>Eosine<\/b>\u2019s gorgeously distorted dreamscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

INSAN <\/b>present their new album<\/span> Planet Tuga<\/span><\/i>, a striking fusion of Yugoslav new wave, synth-pop and post-punk influences molded into a fresh and original sound. <\/span>TYSON<\/b> brings raw emotion rooted in leftfield r&b, trip-hop, and soulful experimentalism; <\/span>Hana Fatur<\/b> unveils her evolving vision with an international band, weaving art pop, contemporary folk, and cinematic chamber textures; and <\/span>GARDENS<\/b> provide lush, textured songs that drift between dream pop, slowcore, and gentle indie psychedelia.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Lino Camilo<\/b>, 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. <\/span>Max Baby<\/b> injects his charming experimental pop rock with glitchy hooks and mischievous hyperpop energy.<\/span> Turkish-Dutch pixie-pop artist <\/span>Min <\/b>Taka <\/b>brings her distinctive blend of indie, liquid drum\u2019n\u2019bass, synth-pop, and hyperpop, exploring themes of identity, belonging, femininity, and connection.<\/span> And Belgrade\u2019s <\/span>Mitsko Bi\u0107e<\/b> promises <\/span>a hazy fusion of bedroom pop and indie, weaving in gentle folk flourishes to create a warm, wistful world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rounding out the announcement, <\/span>BRAMA<\/b> 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. <\/span>DUNYHA<\/b> 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 <\/span>Meral Polat<\/b> delivers her powerful blend of <\/span>Turkish-Kurdish-Alevite traditions<\/span> and contemporary expressions. <\/span>Echoes of Anatolian mountain songs reverberate through atmospheric grooves that channel desert blues, Afrobeat, and Anatolian rock.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

SECOND SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT<\/b><\/h1>\n

<\/b>We\u2019re excited to announce <\/span>20 new speakers <\/b>joining the MENT 2026 conference, taking place on 19\u201320 February at Kino \u0160i\u0161ka and M Hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mo Dafa<\/b>, programmer at London\u2019s iconic <\/span>Cafe OTO<\/b>, is coming for an in-depth interview moderated by <\/span>Davorka Begovi\u0107<\/b>, a freelance musicologist, curator, and co-runner of Zagreb\u2019s <\/span>Kontejner, <\/b>an international bureau of contemporary art practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Perspectives on the Czech live scene will be shared by experienced promoters <\/span>Anthony Jouet (Fource Entertainment)<\/b>, <\/span>Barbora Sikorov\u00e1 (FL\u00c9DA, ReConnect, BACH)<\/b>, and <\/span>Jana Michalcov\u00e1 (Heartnoize Promotion)<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

From inside the world of digital platforms, <\/span>Deniz Everling (Bandcamp)<\/b> will discuss developments on one of the most vital digital ecosystems for music in 2026. <\/span>Ira Kolbezen<\/b> (Glitterbeat Records)<\/b> is joining us to discuss how music is released today and how relationships function within an artist\u2019s wider team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rey Colino<\/b> 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 <\/span>Kalahari Oyster Cult<\/b> label and the <\/span>One Eye Witness<\/b> distribution network, known for supporting forward-thinking club music and independent scenes worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ruth Koleva (So Alive Music Conference, Sofia Live Fest, BG)<\/b> joins a conversation on artist mobility and the role of the Balkan music scene within the EU ecosystem. <\/span>Laura Tandari\u0107 (Mo\u010dvara, HR)<\/b> and <\/span>Naiara Lasa (Sala Apolo, ES)<\/b> will present their work at two key Liveurope venues, followed by insights on the next Creative Europe cycle from Liveurope\u2019s general coordinator <\/span>Fernando Bittencourt Hersan<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re also welcoming a group of agents from across Europe to explore regional dynamics in the <\/span>
\n<\/span>live sector: <\/span>Yvan Ducret <\/b>\u2013<\/span> a key figure at Soyouz agency, works across international artist development with a focus on innovative and genre-defying talent from France; <\/span>Amin Raffed<\/b> represents <\/span>A Gauche de la Lune<\/b>, bringing experience in live promotion and touring for emerging and established French acts; <\/span>Anita Richelli<\/b> is an agent, promoter and booker at <\/span>Brighter Agency<\/b> and <\/span>Most Wanted: Music<\/b>, known for shaping forward-thinking initiatives in the German music landscape; at the <\/span>44BookingBiro<\/b>, <\/span>Laura Matija\u0161evi\u0107<\/b> specializes in regional and international bookings, supporting the growth of independent artists from Croatia and beyond; <\/span>Marco Portello<\/b> works with <\/span>Swamp Booking<\/b>, curating adventurous touring routes and representing a roster of boundary-pushing alternative musicians; <\/span>Koen ter Heegde<\/b> is the driving force behind <\/span>Yugofuturism<\/b> and <\/span>Vikendica<\/b>, dedicated to connecting Western and Southeastern European scenes through visionary curation and cultural exchange.<\/span><\/p>\n

More speakers and programme details coming soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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