They’re cult legends, widely regarded as the world’s most influential band. Celebrating 50 years since the release of their epochal album Autobahn, Kraftwerk will perform at this year’s OFF Festival in Katowice. Read on for three more remarkable additions to our lineup. Tickets are now sale.
Kraftwerk
Pioneers. Legends. Cult classics. Without Kraftwerk, would we even have techno today? Maybe, but it would sure sound different. And so would lots of records by some of your favorite bands, who borrowed in droves—and continue to draw inspiration—from the revolutionary ideas first recorded by this German act. Afrika Bambaataa based his famous track “Planet Rock” on a Kraftwerk sample. You’ll hear the band’s sounds on albums by everyone from Daft Punk, the Chemical Brothers, and Aphex Twin, to Dr. Dre, Kanye West, J Dilla, Frank Ocean, and more. Many go so far as to call Kraftwerk not just the godfathers of electronic music, but the most influential band on earth. As one member said in an interview: “When we started it was like, shock, silence.” Into that void Kraftwerk poured robots, synthesizers, and other machines, replacing guitars and drums, and opening audiences’ ears to new sonic vistas. And they haven’t given up since. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of their milestone LP Autobahn, famously beloved by David Bowie and described by Uncut as “a road map for the musical future. We’re excited to join them on the journey at the OFF Festival!
Have A Nice Life
The cover features a crop of the painting Death of Marat by the French painter Jacques-Louis David. Inside, there’s music that echoes My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Nine Inch Nails, and Swans, combined with lyrics penned under the influence of Nietzsche—all under the subversive name Have a Nice Life. When the American duo debuted in 2008 with the LP Deathconsciousness, they figured they’d sell a couple of copies on MySpace, before noticing that a magazine had put them on its “best albums of the year list next to Portishead and Meshuggah.” With little in the way of promotion, Have a Nice Life amassed a devoted following that expanded beyond rock circles. The rapper Lil Peep sampled the record on “Shiver,” a track off his debut record. To date, Have a Nice Life have released four records—most recently Voids, in 2023, featuring demos and unreleased tracks, a nod to their loyal fanbase. One that’s sure to grow at the OFF Festival.
Elias Rønnenfelt
His performances with Iceage at OFF in 2012 and 2015 wound up on many a list of festival highlights. Let that whet your appetite for Elias Rønnenfelt’s first solo concert in Poland. The Danish singer, musician, and poet is coming to Katowice with material off his debut LP Heavy Glory. An amalgam of dreams, images, and places, the record see Elias experiment with country music and Americana, in what the artist himself describes as an attempt to capture the intangible. Critics have called his raw songs—inspired by his travels and Leonard Cohen—“the kind of music that feeds your soul and lingers in your mind.” Next stop: the OFF Festival!
María José Llergo
One of the most intriguing artists to come out of Spain in recent years, María José Llergo combines flamenco with r’n’b and electronic music. She learned how to sing from her grandpa, who she says would constantly hum tunes as he worked. María honed her craft at the Catalonia School of Music under the tutelage of the same teacher who taught Rosalía. Today, María José Llergo explores the art and music of her Andalusian ancestors as she looks boldly into the future. She’s said in interviews that there’s more to be learned about Spain in flamenco than from history textbooks. Her compositions have drawn rave reviews from Pitchfork, while Rolling Stone and NPR put her 2023 album Ultrabelleza on their year-end lists. One comment under her Tiny Desk Concert video reads: “LISTEN. TO. HER. VOICE.” We second that. Don’t miss this extraordinary experience at the OFF Festival.
