Psytrance scene in Poland

Lying in the middle of Europe Poland is a country enjoying democracy since 1989. It quickly caught up with other countries and is long a well-developing country. The beginnings of the Psytrance scene can be found in the mid-90s when first events with electronic music were organized, also Psytrance was played there. DJs like Sesis, Chakra, Epix and Dreddy are credited for pioneering and the development of Psytrance culture in Poland.

Dreddy, together with Grzegorz Magnuszewski (aka Kino Oko), created Tromesa – the most popular polish Psytrance act. Right now the best and biggest festival in Poland is Goa Dupa OA organized by the Egodrop Crew in Dolina Będkowska near Cracow (in July). Other yearly outdoor events worth mentioning are Sadhana OA near Gdańsk (in July) and Cypel Trzech Kultur in Warsaw (in June). At the moment, intimate club parties for 100-300 people are the power of the Polish scene. The most vibrant psychedelic cities in Poland are: Warsaw (crews: Mystic Arts Event, Leśna Szajka, Fantazja, Epilepsy), Cracow (Egodrop), Trójmiasto area (Toga, SCC, Medulla Oblongata, Be Psychedelic), Katowice (Psylesia, Ashoka), Rzeszów (Magowie Psychedelicznej Nuty), Wrocław

(Equinox), Poznań (Synapsy) and Lublin (Psychoinfinity).
Indoor parties usually start at 10pm and last till the morning hours/noon. Entry fees vary, depending on region and size of the party, between 3 EUR and 15 EUR (clubs) and 8 EUR and 40 EUR (outdoor). The average price for a 0.5l bottle of beer is 2-3 EUR and 1 EUR for a 0.33l bottle of water. Fortunately the authorities are usually not involved in Psytrance gatherings nor they do any kind of screenings – but you have to use common sense, of course.

When you are traveling through our country the cheapest and most efficient way of getting from point A to point B is to use the Polish State Railways (PKP) trains or comfortable couch buses with free WI-FI offered by Polski Bus (polskibus.com)

Once you have experienced Polish parties you will easily realize that organizers put a big stress on decorations. Neila (Toga Dansverg), Vataa, PszczołaUV and Hallabanaha collective can be proud of the great backdrops they create for parties.  MAE Deco Team is responsible for huge 3D string constructions, 2deko collective mastered the art of lycra, LED and other combined material installations. VJs: Fuhek, No Art and 0x43 are responsible for the visual aspect of the events.

Apart from well-known music projects like Tromesa, Big Wigs, Kino Oko, Aural Planet/Sundial Aeon/Sundial, Poland has a solid number of young producers who have a chance to conquer the global Psytrance scene. There are still many places in Poland where little is known about Psytrance culture but there is a big potential in the young generations which will develop the scene. If you are looking for an unusual place to chill after a long weekend of partying we suggest visiting Crooked Forest just outside Nowe Czarnowo (West Pomerania): A forest of about 400 pine trees grow with a 90 degree bend at the base of their trunks – all bent northward. Surrounded by a larger forest of straight growing pine trees this collection of curved trees planted in 1930 is still a mystery…

Text:

Damon Chillumafia, Meff & Styropian