Metal legends, icons of European counterculture, jazz stars, genre pioneers, and rising talents from the global alternative scene—these are the artists set to open this year’s East of Culture – Different Sounds festival, taking place in Lublin from July 3rd to 6th.This is the 18th edition of Lublin’s Different Sounds and the 12th as part of East of Culture—a project realized by the National Centre for Culture with funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and supported by the cities of Lublin, Białystok, and Rzeszów in eastern Poland.
Each year, the East of Culture – Different Sounds festival takes audiences on a musical journey to a realm where sound defies convention. It’s an invitation to discover artists who challenge genre boundaries, address meaningful issues, or simply evoke emotions and experiences that linger long after the final note fades
In a world where music festivals often chase fleeting trends and popularity metrics, Different Sounds remains a space for seekers—those in search of genuine encounters and musical epiphanies. It’s a refuge for true music lovers and a rare opportunity to connect with artists from around the globe for whom music is more than entertainment—it’s a profound form of expression.
Artists
Among the artists performing this year are
Voivod – the legendary Canadian metal band that has been shaping the scene since 1982.
The EX -– a Dutch counterculture icon and one of the most influential punk collectives in alternative music history.
A Place to Bury Strangers – the renowned American trio pushing the boundaries of alternative rock with a fusion of noise, shoegaze, post-punk, and free improvisation. Dubbed “the loudest band in New York” by fans and critics alike, they have been an unstoppable force since 2002.
The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis – an explosive collaboration between the acclaimed instrumental trio from the U.S. and virtuoso saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis.
PETBRICK – —an explosive fusion of metal, hardcore, noise, and electronic avant-garde. Or, as the artists jokingly put it when asked about their genre: simply “horrible noises.”
Maria W. Horn – a Swedish artist and composer whose creative journey revolves around a deep exploration of sound. From the start, she has embraced sound in all its dimensions—both synthetic, crafted