ROYA, the new sensation in Scandinavian pop; the triumphant return of Tomasz Makowiecki with a brand-new album; hoshii, led by Polityka Passport winner Kuba Więcek; genre-blending DJ and producer Poté, known for his work with Damon Albarn; and the charismatic Robert Cichy, inspired by American folk – these are the artists enriching the music lineup of the 35th edition of Malta Festival this June!

The music of Danish duo ROYA draws inspiration from the natural beauty of Jutland’s west coast, where vocalist Line Gade grew up. Gifted with a remarkable voice, she found her ideal creative partner in producer Sebastian Igens. Together, they craft nuanced electropop that blends Nordic nostalgia with an insatiable thirst for sensation. Known not just for catchy melodies but also for their engaging social media presence – with reels showcasing their creative process amassing millions of views – ROYA has so far released the EP Dear Space, and their hit single Cruise hints at new material that could catapult them to stardom. They will perform on Monday, June 23, at the MTP grounds, opening for L’Impératrice – the French disco-pop phenomenon and recent Coachella sensation.

Tomasz Makowiecki made fans wait 11 years for his next solo album, but it was well worth it. Released in 2024, Bailando continues the synth-pop direction of his previous work, delivering mature, emotive, and irresistibly melodic songs. His sound embraces 1980s inspiration while also nodding to modern indie bands like Phoenix. Guest appearances by Katarzyna Nosowska and Julia Wieniawa further enhance the record. On Saturday, June 21, Makowiecki will share the stage with The Teskey Brothers at Hall 6 of the MTP – the Australian soul-rock outfit renowned for their passionate live shows.

One of the most exciting names in the Polish jazz scene right now is hoshii. Founded by 2024 Polityka Passport winner Kuba Więcek, this project blends rich Japanese musical influences with modern nu-jazz, instrumental hip-hop, and hypnotic electronica. Their upcoming second album Her Name Was Yumi is one of the most anticipated Polish releases of 2025. hoshii’s openness to collaboration is evident in their hoshii sessions, which have featured artists like Daria ze Śląska, Paulina and Natalia Przybysz, schafter, and Baranovski. Their set will perfectly complement the genre-crossing sounds of Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD, known for their work with Ghostface Killah, Future Islands’ Samuel Herring, and Brazilian legend Arthur Verocai. Both acts perform on Wednesday, June 25, at Hall 6 of the Poznań International Fair.

Returning to Malta Festival is Poté, who curated last year’s Club Festival DJ programme. Born in Saint Lucia and raised in London, Poté blends multilayered electronic textures with Caribbean heritage to create art-pop songs and UK garage floor-fillers. His versatility is underscored by collaborations with Damon Albarn, Buraka Som Sistema, and Pierre Kwenders. On Tuesday, June 24, Poté will open for the iconic Róisín Murphy, the former Moloko frontwoman, who brings her theatrical show and tracks from her dazzling new album Hit Parade to Hall 6 of the MTP.

Robert Cichy has been a fixture on the Polish music scene for over 20 years, having worked with Brodka, Ania Dąbrowska, Mrozu, and others, as well as co-founding June and Chilli. His 2018 solo debut introduced a fresh sound rooted in American folk and blues, updated with modern production. His emotional live performance will be a perfect warm-up for Fink, the British indie-folk artist associated with Ninja Tune, who returns to Poland on June 22 with songs from his latest album Beauty in Your Wake.

In addition to individual concert tickets, festival passes are available for 499 PLN, granting access to performances by Róisín Murphy, L’Impératrice, Fink, The Teskey Brothers, and BADBADNOTGOOD.

And let’s not forget: Alaska Thunderfuck will also light up the Malta Festival stage! The beloved finalist from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5, and one of the show’s most iconic stars, lands in Poznań on Friday, June 21, with her electrifying musical cabaret that blends burlesque flair with sharp wit and dazzling costumes.

The musical celebration doesn’t stop there – Malta Festival will once again welcome street orchestras, which last year filled Poznań with joy and brass-powered rhythms. Get ready for the return of Italy’s explosive Bandakadabra, with their techno-infused brass sound, and La Dinamo, the unique Catalan orchestra on wheels, cycling through the city with interactive funk performances. French ensemble La Confiserie, a 15-piece disco powerhouse, promises to keep the dance floor ablaze with their fiery live show.

The 35^th jubilee edition of Malta Festival takes place in Poznań from June 20 to 28, 2025.

For the full interdisciplinary programme, visit: malta-festival.pl.