A Festival with Sensitivity: Discover the First Programme Highlights of the PKO Bank Polski Stage at BitterSweet 2

World-class stage productions, genre-defying collaborations, and bold artistic expression. BitterSweet Festival unveils the first wave of artists performing on the PKO Bank Polski Stage: Blue Jazz Orchestra & Paulina Przybysz, hoshii, Marcin Masecki, the OrkiestraKameralna Polskiego Radia Amadeu featuring Maxima Sitarz, Break Me Amadeus and Michał Stochel, the Poznański Chór Chłopięcy, Teatr Muzyczny w Poznaniu presenting music from the production Rewolta, and the Warszawska Orkiestra Sentymentalna. This is only the first programme announcement for the stage, which will also host BitterSweet Talks – the festival’s social platform dedicated to inspiring conversations and panel discussions.
The second edition of BitterSweet Festival takes place from 13–15 August 2026 at Poznań Citadel Park. More than 30 artists have already been announced, including Gorillaz, Robbie Williams, twenty one pilots, Lorde, and Tom Odell. PKO Bank Polski is the festival’s titlesponsor.

For the second year in a row, BitterSweet Festival proves that classical music, theatre and meaningful encounters between high culture and contemporary popular music are an integral part of its identity. This unique artistic vision makes the PKO Bank Polski Stage stand out not only within the festival itself but also on the wider Polish festival landscape. Equally important, it creates space for outstanding local artists who rarely have the opportunity to share a line-up with global chart-toppers and mainstream stars.

“We want to be present at major cultural events, especially those that broaden our understanding of culture. PKO Bank Polski Stage is an example of such a place – a meeting place for different generations, genres, and sensibilities. It’s here that classical music meets modernity, and renowned artists perform alongside creators representing new phenomena on the Polish scene. By supporting such events, we are implementing our sponsorship strategy, “Nadajemy ton (We Set the Tone)”, and our ambition to be the new favorite bank for Poles – a brand actively participating in the development of contemporary culture,” says Marcin Maćkiewicz, Manager in the Sponsorship and Local Marketing Department at PKO Bank Polski.

A Festival with Sensitivity

Throughout the three-day festival, the PKO Bank Polski Stage will present projects of exceptional artistic and thematic value. The opening day will feature Blue Jazz Orchestra, the big band of Poznań’s renowned Blue Note club, joined by acclaimed vocalist Paulina Przybysz. Fourteen outstanding musicians from Poznań and one of Poland’s most adventurous artists will bring together the worlds of jazz, hip-hop and soul.

Also performing on Thursday, 13 August, is hoshii – a collective of outstanding musical personalities: Kuba Więcek, Grzegorz Tarwid, Max Mucha and Miłosz Berdzik. The band is redefining contemporary jazz through bold experimentation and genre-crossing collaborations. Their acclaimed hoshii sessions series has already produced more than 40 performances featuring artists from the jazz, hip-hop and pop scenes.

The first evening on the PKO Bank Polski Stage will conclude with the Warszawska Orkiestra Sentymentalna presenting music from the golden era of Polish interwar popular music. Combining original compositions with nostalgic reinterpretations of classic songs, the ensemble invites audiences on a joyful and heartfelt journey into the past.

Friday’s programme will unfold in three carefully curated acts, presented by the Orkiestra Kameralna Polskiego Radia Amadeus. The concert opens with works by Brahms and Rossini, alongside compositions by Javier Álvarez and Richard Galliano. The soloist will be Michał Stochel, an exceptional young accordionist, winner of Eurovision Young Musicians and recipient of the Young Musician of the Year2026 award. His virtuosity and the distinctive sound of the modern concert accordion bring both brilliance and contemporary character to the programme.
In the second part, the orchestra joins forces with violinist Maxima Sitarz for Astor Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires—a vibrant, emotionally charged work balancing tango nuevo with the concerto tradition, where the solo violin engages in a compelling dialogue with the orchestra.
The evening culminates with Break Me Amadeus, an interdisciplinary performance bringing together the Amadeus Orchestra, members of the Polish National Breaking Team, DJ Markowy and both soloists. Music by Vivaldi, Piazzolla and Kilar becomes the foundation for anenergetic dialogue between classical music, movement and rhythm. Rather than simply blending genres, Break Me Amadeus creates a genuine conversation between artistic worlds, preserving the integrity of classical music while opening it to new forms of expression.

The festival’s final day will begin with the Poznański Chór Chłopięcy, celebrated for its performances of masterpieces of early and contemporary polyphony, twentieth- and twenty-first-century choral works, and film music. Thanks to its extensive national and internationalactivity, the choir has become one of Poznań’s most distinguished cultural ambassadors.
Also on Saturday, the Teatr Muzyczny w Poznaniu will perform songs by Kora Jackowska, Marek Jackowski and Kamil Sipowicz from the acclaimed production Rewolta.
The festival programme concludes with pianist and composer Marcin Masecki, presenting his project Blues Suites. Drawing inspiration from early blues legends such as Skip James and Robert Johnson, while weaving in his own original themes, Masecki has arranged the musicfor one of his favourite ensembles—a nonet featuring two trumpets, two trombones, two saxophones and a rhythm section.

Together, BitterSweet Festival and PKO Bank Polski demonstrate that classical music has a natural place at a major contemporary music festival. The enthusiastic reception of last year’s socially engaged artistic programme confirmed that this is a meaningful and valueddirection. The themes of this year’s BitterSweet Talks panels, along with the guest speakers appearing on the PKO Bank Polski Stage, will be announced soon.

The second edition of BitterSweet Festival takes place 13–15 August 2026 at Poznań Citadel Park. The line-up includes Gorillaz, Robbie Williams, twenty one pilots, Lorde, Major Lazer, Tom Odell, Ciara, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Chet Faker.

BitterSweet 2 is organised by the Poznań-based concert promoter Good Taste Production. The festival’s title sponsor is PKO Bank Polski. Enea is a sponsor, while Coca-Cola and Somersby are supporting sponsors. Miasto Poznań is the strategic partner. Media partners includeOnet, Radio ZET and Chillizet. The event is held under the Honorary Patronage of the Mayor of Miasto Poznań.