On July 21, 2022 the historic Walcownia Cynku in Szopienice will be filled with powerful bass, radical sounds and avant-garde sound constructions. The opening of Tauron Nowa Muzyka Katowice 2022 will be marked by a performance by the British artist The Bug, accompanied by Flowdan. With the announcement of the opening star, the sale of three-day passes begins. Their number is limited.
Kevin Martin, better known as The Bug, relishes in gargantuan bass, laceily adorned with a mix of industrial noise and street grime. With albums such as 2003’s Pressure, 2008’s London Zoo (his debut for Ninja Tune) and 2014’s Angels & Devils, he has become a perfectly recognisable musical entity. From the very beginning of his career, The Bug was an exceptionally unruly phenomenon, blazing trails that other artists were afraid to tread. Creative chaos has driven Kevin Martin through two decades of projects such as GOD, Techno-Animal, Zonal or King Midas Sound. From chaos was also born the album Fire, released in 2021 on Ninja Tune. The 14 captivating recordings are filled with an atmosphere of defiance, anger and a bombastically futuristic sound. “Fire” does not leave the listener indifferent. In the opinion of many, it is the undisputed album of the year.
“I started working on the album even before the pandemic. I was already agitated enough by what was happening in the world (…). I was reminded of being a teenager during the Cold War, but it was even scarier because you didn’t know who the enemy was and all the misinformation was fuelling the paranoia. (…) The album emerges from some basic questions – the world is a fucking mess and what to do about it? Go with the flow? (…) Challenge myself? I can only go forward”. – he says of The Bug’s latest album.
At the opening concert of Tauron Nowa Muzyka Katowice 2022 there will be fierce sounds from “Fire” as well as older recordings. During the performance the artist will be supported by MC Flowdan, known for his version of the hit “Skeng”, created in collaboration with The Bug and Killa P. The rapper is a member of the London-based Roll Deep crew, founded by Wiley, of which Dizzee Rascal was also a member in the past. He is sure to add a unique fervour to Martin’s broken bass constructions. The venue of the opening concert will be equally exceptional. The historic zinc rolling mill in Szopienice was built between 1903 and 1904 and is a huge monument to the steel industry. The hall, huge as a medieval cathedral, will be a perfect place to experience the radically electronic sound of British streets.
Three-day passes, including the opening concert, are now on sale. Their number is limited. Passes for next year’s edition of the festival can still be purchased online at the festival website and on Going, eBilet and Ticketmaster. Single-day tickets will go on sale soon.
This is only the beginning of the unveiling of next year’s edition of Tauron Nowa Muzyka Katowice. It is one of the most appreciated music festivals in Europe and its status is confirmed every year by a fascinating artistic programme and an original location. It is worth visiting again.