Polish Footwork Spotlight

The Polish footwork scene, led by labels like Polish Juke & more recently outlines, has been an important part of a transformation of the Chicago-born genre into a thriving platform for avant-garde experimentation and "borderless" dance music. By blending high-speed rhythms with diverse influences like Japanese minimalism, ambient textures, and live percussion, Polish producers are pushing the sonic boundaries of the genre. This unique approach established Poland as a critical hub for the sound's global evolution.

This year we’ve invited three staples of the Polish footwork scene to put a spotlight on the diverse sounds and tendencies in it. Outlines label head Paide creates hybrid forms of minimal techno, dub, glitch, and footwork; versatile experimentalist raver Sknit (of We Rob Rave) brings his flavor of juke and footwork soundscapes exploration; and drummer Gary Gwadera presents his “Far, far in Chicago. Footberk Suite” juxtaposing Polish oberek folk music with footwork rhythms. 

Presented with support from the Polish Institute in Stockholm.