Electrum Up To Date Festival 2024 recap is out!
The 15th-anniversary edition of the Electrum Up To Date Festival 2024 classically took place in Bialystok, one of the iconic cities in Poland surrounded by one of the biggest national parks in Europe. Spread among the city in various locations the late May and early June gathering granted a great opening to the summer festival season.
We are still processing the last Up to Date Festival gathering in the picturesque east side of Poland, which left a lot of vivid memories for many of us. We had the pleasure to talk to people connected strongly to the festival – the festival founder – Dtekk; Paulina from one of the Granko Agency & Management – an international booking agency based in Kraków, Poland, who actively is working as PR of the festival and one of the always returning visitors and active panelists – Berlin-based creative Giuseppe Moramarco. He is co-creator of the Scene Clubbing Heritage – an open platform connecting electronic scenes from around the world, booking agent of Outlined-AM Berlin-based artist booking and management agency and organizer of the event series MÄZEN.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-30.jpg)
The visitors put a lot of trust in the curators of the lineup as even if they don’t know each artist (or none) who will perform, they will be surprised and inspired by the dose of the quality the artists will provide to the audience.
There were lot of side attractions like sending the postcard to your grandma/grandpa for free with specially designed postcards for this occasion, you could dive into the upcycled merch, trying out the BUSINESS TECHNO iconic game or have your nails to be done.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-21.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-18.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-16.jpg)
“United we rave, divided we scroll” is a great motto we hosted on the fully upcycled merch of ExUTDF and fully captures the non-compromise of the spirit of the united vibes on the festival.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-02.jpg)
Ambient scene located in the beautiful Branicki palace in Bialystok
Flora Yin Wong catched after her live act
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-22.jpg)
When the big festivals are overwhelming and losing their charm of the experience where getting the drink or queuing for the bathroom might be annoying, the festival has been downsized to keep the experience cool for its visitors who do not necessarily have backstage area access and provide the intimate vibe among the stages without the risk of overcrowded mess.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-15.jpg)
above the Carrier doing his live magic …
…. below are some guests, artists, and people involved in the creation of the festival
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-07.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-12-1.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-11.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-10.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-09.jpg)
Talk with: Dtekk – the organiser of ExUTDF
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dtekk-photo-825x1024.jpg)
What was the trigger to create the festival and to choose Białystok as its setting?
I was born and raised in Białystok and I was lucky enough to witness the Polish clubbing boom back in the early 2000s, when our local club – Metro – was one of the leading venues in the country.
I’ve been DJing ever since, growing my passion for the culture, surrounded by the right people. This led to a vision of having a bigger gathering around electronic music in Białystok, which sounded unreal back then. I guess our enthusiasm for the culture and the need to share our love for the music were triggers powerful enough to create the festival in our hometown, that didn’t feel as peripheral, as it feels today.
How do you see the curation of the program of the festival as it’s known for its quality and not social media hype?
The curation of such a festival is an ever-morphing process. We’re proud of the trust that we’ve built among the audience, but there are many factors that contribute to a successful festival – line-up being the key one.
We try to strike a balance between the exploratory aspect of the program and the recognition of the audience’s expectations. On top of that, the final result should lead to a great party experience, regardless of the status of the artists invited.
ExUTDF’s participants are mostly very aware of the music they’re listening to so that gives us lots of space to work with, however, the times are changing and the festival audience in general tends to pay more attention to the excitement that comes with the whole experience.
What we try to do is difficult to sell on social media. That is why there are a lot of challenges ahead, especially since the festival focuses not only on the music/party aspect, but also on many awareness campaigns.
How do you see the future of the festival and its continuation?
In my opinion, the Polish scene is going through a time of great re-set. The aftermath of COVID and e.g. Russian invasion on Ukraine is still noticeable. The inequalities are still growing, but Electrum Up To Date Festival is not going anywhere. We will stay true to our core values and we will not jump on the hype train to start growing again. We are taking the balanced way, be it in terms of our environmental responsibility or in terms of the responsibility for the scene.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-14.jpg)
Dtekk during the discussion panel Challenges of today’s techno scene through the prism of Business Techno: The Game. moderated by Maria Jose Mejia (Source Artists) (CO/DE) with panelists: Paul Ćinske (Tresor) (DE),
Melania. (Bunkai Terepōto / Granko Agency) (PL/DE), Pink Concrete (hereandthere / pinkies) (TR/CZ)
Talk with: Paulina from Granko Agency
Paulina Żaczek is the founder of Granko Agency, an international booking agency in Kraków, Poland, and a communication specialist focused on culture. She produces and curates music and community events, with a particular interest in the local scene.
![Paulina captured by Karpiński](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Paulina-granko-002-810x1024.jpg)
As an active part of the festival and its PR and more, you see the project from inside and outside. How do you think it has an impact on the electronic music scene in Poland and Europe?
How do you see the changes and challenges of the festivals nowadays? What do you think makes the Electrum Up To Date Festival unique and one of the best festivals in Europe?
We live in times where unrelenting development is promoted, and the systemic pressure of late capitalism is present in every moment of our lives, so in my humble opinion, Electrum Up To Date Festival seems to be the hope on the horizon.
The festival has been on the map for 15 years and from the beginning of its existence, passion for music and unlimited creativity have been in its DNA. Over the years, Electrum Up To Date has developed production, communication, and community solutions that are currently considered innovative in the industry or the only options for proper functioning in the industry or directly responding to ecological needs.
It was the Electrum Up To Date Festival that was the first to notice the need to talk openly about mental health in the club and festival industry.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Paulina-ZIaczek-For.-Monika-Kozak-1024x683.jpg)
The festival team does not hide the fact that it is under the care of specialists. It was also the first to notice the need to build an intergenerational community by reaching out to seniors.
Up To Date Festival’s promotional campaigns from 10 years ago still resonate with audiences of all ages.
In addition, an uncompromising approach to curating – promoting only the music that curators actually listen to, reaching out to local artists, and working to bring together the scenes of Eastern Europe – is what makes the festival shine compared to other festivals. It is worth remembering that the festival started as a combination of techno and rap, a year ago it cut one of the highest-grossing music genres from its program because it was not close to the essence of the festival. When others force themselves to include hip-hop/rap artists in their programs to survive, Electrum Up To Date turns to its community of electronic and independent music, listens to their needs, and shares its passion, it remains true.
I believe that the festival is unique precisely because it does not pretend anything. The organizers are not in a race to see who is cooler, who has better sneakers or sunglasses, or who went on a more expensive vacation, it’s really about the music.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/eUTDF24_Niedziela_Ramen_Julek_Karpinski-32-768x1024.jpg)
Everyone who comes to the festival will feel good in Białystok, there is no need to dress up, no one will judge you, because on the dancefloor and at the Electrum Up To Date Festival, what counts is the music.
It is worth remembering that the festival was one of the cheapest events of this type in Poland this year, precisely to increase accessibility for Poland affected by the economic crisis. In addition, the warmth, openness, understanding and diligence of the team creating the festival unites the entire brand so much that it radiates. “Music is everything” & “Don’t worry be yourself” are slogans that appear on the festival merch, and they really do transcends to reality of Electrum Up To Date Festival.
All this makes Electrum Up To Date not just a festival but a real platform that brings together actors and the audience of the independent electronic scene in Poland, directly influencing their multi-faceted development.
Talk with: Giuseppe Moramarco
Berlin-based creative Giuseppe Moramarco, as co-creator of the Scene Clubbing Heritage – an open platform connecting electronic scenes from around the world, booking agent of Outlined-AM Berlin-based artist booking and management agency and organizer of the event series MÄZEN.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-33.jpg)
Hey Guiseppe! It’s great to have you here! Please tell us more about your trip here and what triggers you to come multiple times to the Up-to-date Festival … as we know it’s not your first and last time 😉 Why are you always happy to visit and will always come back?
Ciaooo Keyi Magazine team, thanks for inviting me here. What I can say, Up To Date Festival is an experience of community, and true love for the sound, but also a discovery of always rich programs, where you touch different qualitative electronic music styles, all that good is between ambient to punchy techno.
It is not just having fun and going to a festival, it feels like a moment of reflection for the Polish community and all the guests, where you identify with this sense of belonging you feel in the air, you gather and meet like-minded passionates.
It is a top-class production, Bialystok people did bring avant-guarde that is widely appreciated and got all of us forever 🙂 My loyal presence is the translation of a long-lasting friendship and high estimation for this work. My yearly cure to survive in Berlin 😀
Who are your favorite artists in the line-up? Which acts were most exciting to you? Which artists surprised you this year?
Oh, I have to say some of the artists I represent were on the line-up, Lake Haze and Pink Concrete, of course, they excited me 🙂 It was his first live act for Lake Haze, around midnight after a storm, properly giving the electro breaks spin to the stage, and then Pink Concrete in the morning, under the sun with his bright sound, everyone was smiling, oh that was a vibe…! Overall, as usual, I liked the running order selection and discovering new artists, in particular, I was thrilled by the insane live sets from specialists like Carrier (Shifted), and Colin Benders.
As the Scene Clubbing Heritage project, you arranged a lot of discussions and panels around the world and you also took part as a visitor in the panel “Challenges of today’s techno scene through the prism of Business Techno: The Game.” during the Up To Date Festival among respected creatives like Paul Ćinske from the team of Berlin-based iconic club Tresor; musician & promoter Melania. from Bunkai Terepōto and artist of the Granko Agency; Prague-based artist Pink Concrete known from hereandthere / pinkies, and the founder of the Electrum Up To Date Festival & Business Techno: The Game – Dtekk. What do you think of the discussion and could you bring your perspective on it?
The conference during the UTDF was a moment of unity, an exchange of real thoughts, experiences, and perceptions, and also of mutual strength.
The approach that emerged from the insightful panelists was brilliant and truly captivated my heart. It wasn’t just about respecting their work and their words; it was about the shared commitment to share with no filters, come together and engage in dialogue to improve the landscape we all live in.
These moments help us to nurture this sense of belonging to something bigger which could be the club culture, and to educate the new generations as well; in doing so, we transfer our knowledge, connectivity, and passion into the future.
This is the perspective: to interconnect and create solid scenes where participants collaborate, exchange ideas, and produce, bringing multiculturalism, acceptance, and sustainability through electronic music and clubbing structures.
I am very honored to “push” the Scene Clubbing Heritage community network, and excited to soon bring you news about our upcoming season with panels and club nights in the making.
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UpToDate2024_BY_KEYISTUDIO_2024_web-res-27.jpg)
Hope to see you next year!
To follow up with the news for the next edition
& the other activities click here
pictures by @keyistudio , @karpinski.raw @maciejkorsan , Monika Kozak
Our next KEYI event at ELSE is coming soon!
More info here
![This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is else-register.jpg](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/else-register.jpg)
![](https://www.keyimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/else-x-keyi-poster.jpg)