MENT Ljubljana CONFERENCE 2026

MENT konferenca se v Kino Šiška in M Hotel vrača 19. in 20. februarja 2026. Pričakujte številne intervjuje, okrogle mize, mentorstva in hitra mreženja v družbi izvajalcev, glasbenih profesionalcev in inovatorjev iz različnih sfer glasbene industrije.

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PRO VSTOPNICE: https://ment.si/vstopnice/
vstop na vse koncerte v okviru festivala + vstop na konferenco + dostop do spletne baze delegatov
– super early bird: 89,00€ (do 4 DEC 2025, kapaciteta je omejena)
– early bird: 99,00€ (do 15 JAN 2026)
– presale: 109,00€ (do 17 FEB 2026)
– walk-up: 119,00€

*POZOR: Zaradi omejenih kapacitet prizorišč, so ta lahko polna, zato bodite na koncertih zgodnji.

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PRVA IN DRUGA NAJAVA GOVORCEV IN GOVORK

Eden izmed vrhuncev bo pogovor z izvrstno italijansko glasbenico, vsestransko tolkalko Valentino Magaletti, znano po svojih solo projektih in sodelovanjih z imeni, kot so Moin, Nicolas Jaar, Bat for Lashes, Thurston Moore ter številni drugi. Pogovor bo vodila Marlene Engel, glasbena kuratorka in dramaturginja berlinske institucije Volksbühne Berlin, ki nas bo popeljala skozi Magalettijin ustvarjalni univerzum.

Iz festivalskega sveta prihajajo glasovi, ki redno krojijo zvoke poletja. David Arias (Primavera Sound), Cecilie Kragesteen Eickworth (Roskilde Festival) in Filip Koštálek (Colours of Ostrava) bodo delili svoje poglede na programske smernice, odkrivanje novih imen in gradnjo festivalske identitete v času, ko se vse pravila vseskozi spreminjajo.

Hannah TW je redka osebnost z poglobljenim razumevanjem vseh aspektov sodobne glasbene industrije. Kot kreativna svetovalka in koordinatorka kulturnih projektov ter skupnosti je sodelovala z glasbeniki, kot so Kae Tempest, Young Fathers, Robyn, Nala Sinephro in Låpsley, vodila založbi Big Dada in Konichiwa Records, in odprla vrata številnim novim talentom v glasbi, filmu in fotografiji.

Iz Seattla prihaja Darek Mazzone, kulturni producent, filmski ustvarjalec in dolgoletni voditelj oddaje Wo’Pop na kultni radijski postaji KEXP, kjer že več kot tri desetletja promovira globalno glasbo. Poleg njega na MENT prihajata tudi uveljavljena booking agenta Eleanor McGuinness iz Earth Agency ter Riccardo Biondetti, ustanovitelj agencije Swamp Booking, oba znana po impresivnem seznamu varovancev.

Berlinski kurator Michael Rosen je ustanovitelj platforme Digital in Berlin in priznane koncertne serije Kiezsalon – ene najuglednejših mestnih platform za drzno in raziskovalno glasbo. S svojo vizijo gradi mostove med glasbeniki, občinstvom in nevsakdanjimi koncertnimi prizorišči.

Lukas Lassonczyk iz Lasoundcheck Promo, človek z bogatimi izkušnjami in neodvisnim duhom, že leta sooblikuje nemško indie sceno, pred tem pa je sodeloval z založbama Mute Records in Domino Recording Company. Med drugim je oblikoval promocijske kampanje za glasbenike, kot so Altin Gün, Beth Gibbons, Cat Power in Franz Ferdinand.

Iz Prage pa prihaja Marek Mikič iz kluba Fuchs2, ki kurira koncertno serijo in festival F2 Live ter projekte, kot je UGOT s slovaškim raperjem Dušanom Vlkom. Njegovo delo povezuje nadarjene glasbenike z lokalnimi skupnostmi ter gradi nove glasbene scene in odnose po regiji.

Mo Dafa, vodja programa vplivnega londonskega prizorišča Cafe OTO, bo predstavila svoje delo v intervjuju z Davorko Begović, muzikologinjo, kustosinjo in sovodjo zagrebške nevladne umetniške organizacije Kontejner.

Vrača se Shawn Reynaldo. Vplivni novinar na področju elektronske glasbe, kurator in avtor novičnika First Floor bo vodil okroglo mizo o spremembah v glasbeni industriji leta 2025, ki so močno vplivale na glasbene scene in blagovne znamke.

Izkušeni promoterji Anthony Jouet (Fource Entertainment), Barbora Sikorová (FLÉDA, ReConnect, BACH) in Jana Michalcová (Heartnoize Promotion) bodo delili vpoglede v češko koncertno sceno.

Deniz Everling (Bandcamp) bo predstavil razvoj Bandcampa, enega najpomembnejših digitalnih ekosistemov za glasbo v letu 2026. Ira Kolbezen (Glitterbeat Records) se pridružuje pogovoru o izdajanju glasbe in gojenju odnosov znotraj širše ekipe, ki skrbi za kariero glasbenika.

Rey Colino bo z nami dan in noč. Poleg nastopa v petek se bo predstavil tudi v ekskluzivnem intervjuju o njegovih izkušnjah kot DJ, producent in ustanovitelj založbe Kalahari Oyster Cult ter distribucijske mreže One Eye Witness, ki nudi podporo naprednim založbam in neodvisnim scenam.

Ruth Koleva (So Alive Music Conference, Sofia Live Fest, BG) se bo pridružila pogovoru o mobilnosti glasbenikov in vlogi balkanske glasbene scene znotraj evropskega ekosistema. Laura Tandarić (Močvara, HR) in Naiara Lasa (Sala Apolo, ES) bosta predstavili svoje delo na dveh ključnih prizoriščih platforme Liveurope, sledili pa bodo vpogledi v naslednji cikel programa Creative Europe, ki jih bo predstavil generalni koordinator platforme Liveurope, Fernando Bittencourt Hersan.

Z nami bodo tudi številni booking agenti iz vse Evrope, ki bodo raziskovali regionalno dinamiko v koncertni industriji: Yvan Ducret – ključna osebnost pri agenciji Soyouz, deluje na področju mednarodnega razvoja glasbenikov s poudarkom na inovativnih talentih iz Francije; Amin Raffed predstavlja agencijo A Gauche de la Lune in prinaša izkušnje z organizacijo koncertov ter turnej za neuveljavljene in uveljavljene francoske izvajalce; Anita Richelli je agentka, promoterka in bookerka pri Brighter Agency in Most Wanted: Music, znana po snovanju inovativnih projektov na nemški glasbeni sceni; Laura Matijašević iz agencije 44BookingBiro skrbi za regionalne in mednarodne bookinge ter spodbuja rast neodvisnih izvajalcev iz Hrvaške in širše; Marco Portello sodeluje s Swamp Booking, organizira pustolovske turneje in zastopa razne avtorsko izstopajoče izvajalce; Koen ter Heegde je gonilna sila za projektoma Yugofuturism in Vikendica, ki sta posvečena povezovanju zahodno- in jugovzhodnoevropskih scen skozi domiselno kuracijo in kulturno izmenjavo.

Več govorcev in podrobnosti programa sledi kmalu.

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The MENT 2026 conference returns on February 19 and 20 at Kino Šiška and M Hotel, bringing together artists, curators, and innovators. Expect interviews, round tables, mentorships, and networking sessions.

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PRO TICKETS: https://ment.si/en/tickets/
Access to all of the concerts and performances during the festival + access to the conference + access to delegates database – from 89€
– super early bird: 89,00€ (available until 4 DEC 2025 in limited capacity)
– early bird: 99,00€ (available until 15 JAN 2026)
– presale: 109,00€ (available until 17 FEB 2026)
– walk-up: 119,00€

*ATTENTION: Please note that venues can be full at some times so be early to the shows.

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FIRST AND SECOND SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

One of the highlights is an interview with the fascinating drummer Valentina Magaletti, known for her solo work and collaborations with Moin, Nicolas Jaar, Bat for Lashes, Thurston Moore, and numerous other experimental projects. The conversation will be moderated by Marlene Engel, music curator and dramaturg at Volksbühne Berlin, who will guide us through Magaletti’s creative world.

From the world of festivals come voices shaping the sound of summer. David Arias from Primavera Sound, Cecilie Kragesteen Eickworth of Roskilde Festival, and Filip Koštálek from Colours of Ostrava will share their perspectives on programming, discovery, and building festival identities in changing times.

Hannah TW has a rare 360° insight into the contemporary music industry. A creative consultant, commissioner, and community organiser, she has worked with artists such as Kae Tempest, Young Fathers, Robyn, Nala Sinephro, and Låpsley, led the labels Big Dada and Konichiwa Records, and continues to open doors for new voices across music, film, and photography.

From Seattle comes Darek Mazzone, a cultural producer, filmmaker, and long-time host of Wo’Pop on KEXP, where he’s championed global music for over three decades. He joins MENT for the first time, alongside booking agents Eleanor McGuinness from Earth Agency and Riccardo Biondetti, founder of Swamp Booking, both known for their adventurous artist rosters.
Berlin-based curator Michael Rosen is the founder of Digital in Berlin and the acclaimed Kiezsalon concert series – one of the city’s most respected platforms for adventurous music. His curatorial vision continues to build bridges between artists, audiences, and unconventional spaces.

Lukas Lassonczyk of Lasoundcheck Promo has been shaping the German indie landscape for years, previously working with Mute Records and Domino Recording Company. His campaigns in the last years have supported artists such as Altin Gün, Beth Gibbons, Cat Power, and Franz Ferdinand, combining deep industry experience with an independent spirit.

Prague-based Marek Mikič of Fuchs2 curates the F2 Live concert series and festival, as well as projects like UGOT with Slovak rapper Dusan Vlk. His work connects up-and-coming global talent with local communities, building scenes and relationships across the region.

Mo Dafa, programmer at London’s iconic Cafe OTO, is coming for an in-depth interview moderated by Davorka Begović, a freelance musicologist, curator, and co-runner of Zagreb’s Kontejner, an international bureau of contemporary art practice.

Shawn Reynaldo returns to MENT. The influential electronic music journalist and curator behind the First Floor newsletter will lead a panel on the shifting landscape that has been reshaping music scenes and brands throughout 2025.

Perspectives on the Czech live scene will be shared by experienced promoters Anthony Jouet (Fource Entertainment), Barbora Sikorová (FLÉDA, ReConnect, BACH), and Jana Michalcová (Heartnoize Promotion).

From inside the world of digital platforms, Deniz Everling (Bandcamp) will discuss developments on one of the most vital digital ecosystems for music in 2026. Ira Kolbezen (Glitterbeat Records) is joining us to discuss how music is released today and how relationships function within an artist’s wider team.

Rey Colino will be with us day and night, not only performing on Friday but also sitting down for an exclusive interview covering his work as a DJ, producer, and founder of the Kalahari Oyster Cult label and the One Eye Witness distribution network, known for supporting forward-thinking club music and independent scenes worldwide.

Ruth Koleva (So Alive Music Conference, Sofia Live Fest, BG) joins a conversation on artist mobility and the role of the Balkan music scene within the EU ecosystem. Laura Tandarić (Močvara, HR) and Naiara Lasa (Sala Apolo, ES) will present their work at two key Liveurope venues, followed by insights on the next Creative Europe cycle from Liveurope’s general coordinator Fernando Bittencourt Hersan.

We’re also welcoming a group of agents from across Europe to explore regional dynamics in the live sector: Yvan Ducret – a key figure at Soyouz agency, works across international artist development with a focus on innovative and genre-defying talent from France; Amin Raffed represents A Gauche de la Lune, bringing experience in live promotion and touring for emerging and established French acts; Anita Richelli is an agent, promoter and booker at Brighter Agency and Most Wanted: Music, known for shaping forward-thinking initiatives in the German music landscape; at the 44BookingBiro, Laura Matijašević specializes in regional and international bookings, supporting the growth of independent artists from Croatia and beyond; Marco Portello works with Swamp Booking, curating adventurous touring routes and representing a roster of boundary-pushing alternative musicians; Koen ter Heegde is the driving force behind Yugofuturism and Vikendica, dedicated to connecting Western and Southeastern European scenes through visionary curation and cultural exchange.

More speakers and programme details coming soon.

_________ LINE-UP MENT 2026
aya x MFO, Beaks, BRAMA, Collignon, Dj Würm, Dominik Prok, Dunjaluk, DUNYHA, Eosine, Gaia Banfi, GARDENS, Gordan, Grunt, Hana Fatur, Heinali and Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko present Гільдеґарда/Hildegard, Hexenbrutal, Ho99o9, Ida The Young, INSAN, J. Ludvig III, Julek ploski, Juli Deák, Julián Mayorga, Kabeaushé, Ki Klop, Liamere, Lifecutter: DELUGE, Lino Camilo, Lottie & Lerro, Madra Salach, mal pre mal, mala roza muca, Maria Mazzotta, Max Baby, Meral Polat, Milan W., Min Taka, Mitsko Biće, MMali b2b Obscur, Moin, Mrk, N8NOFACE, Nexus (B4MBA + MOOKI6), Oka, oreglo, plus44kaligula, Polygonia, Rey Colino, Sahara Transport Services, Shabjdeed & Al Nather, Skee Mask, Sujevera, SUPLEXX, tachyon, TDK, Tristwch Y Fenywod, TYSON, Valentina Magaletti, Vv Pete & UTILITY, zbrucz

✦ MENT 2026 PLAYLIST: https://linktr.ee/ment_playlists

Organisation: Kino Šiška & Sigic