Photo: Alexia Arizzabalaga
PJ Harvey has been confirmed as the headliner of this years’ OFF Festival in Katowice, Poland. She’ll join a line-up that includes fellow headliners Swans as well legendary outfits such as Shellac, Silver Apples and Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli. The OFF Festival runs August 6 – 8.
Also confirmed are Beak>, Daniel Johnston and The Black Madonna.
The Polish festival, located in the south-western region of Silesia, started in 2006 and has come to be internationally recognised as eastern Europe’s premier festival of alternative music. Previous headliners have included The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Flaming Lips and Patti Smith.
In addition to hosting a wide range of music from across the globe, the OFF Festival is also instrumental in promoting the very best bands and acts from the rapidly evolving Polish music scene, some of which are now breaking through internationally. Brodka, whose stunning set at the 2016 edition became one of the festival’s main talking points, supported Beth Orton on her UK tour last autumn.
The OFF festival takes place in the stunning location of Katowice’s Three Lake Valley. Spread across two outdoor stage and two tents, the focus is very much on the music. This is displayed by having only two of the stages in action at any one time which means fans get to see more music with less of chance of missing acts. This also means that all bands get a decent soundcheck before hitting the stage, thus ensuring that fans get sound throughout.
Unlike many domestic festivals, OFF boasts an incredible selection of food. You can forget about the over-priced noodles and tepid burgers you’ll find at UK festivals – these are delicious meals that’ll fill you up and tickle the taste buds.
Best of all is a ticket price of £52 for three days of music. Given that flights to Katowice are regular and cheap, UK music fans are being offered a competitive alternative the UK’s overcrowded and overpriced festival scene.
