Unsound Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Kraków, Poland, dealing with evolving and mutating forms of music, as well as related visual arts. Apart from the main festival, Unsound regularly takes place in cities around the world such as New York, London, Adelaide, Toronto, and Minsk. Editions of the festival have also occurred in Tbilisi, Prague and Bratislava.
The Kraków festival is run by the non profit organisation Fundacja Tone Muzyka i Nowe Formy Sztuki (Tone Foundation for Music and New Forms of Art).
The first Unsound festival in Kraków, Poland took place in 2003, starting out as a local, underground event in the city's cellar bars. It currently falls towards the end of October and lasts around one week. Starting out as an event focused on Polish audiences, in recent years it has rapidly developed to become one of the most prominent events of its kind in Europe.
In 2010, the festival developed its program and visual identity around the theme "Horror, the pleasure of fear and unease", which explored the history and emerging trend of darkness in music. "Horror" was followed up in 2011 with the theme "Future Shock," inspired by the 1970 book by futurist Alvin Toffler. Subsequent themes have included "The End" (2012), "Interference" (2013) and "The Dream" (2014). The theme for 2015 has been announced as "Surprise", described in a press release that was heavily redacted and intentionally revealed little.
In February 2010, Unsound cooperated with local partners in New York such as the Wordless Music series, Bunker and Electronic Music Foundation to create a 10-day satellite event involving music, film, workshops and panel discussions. Unsound has now produced four New York editions in total.
Unsound has also worked on projects in other countries, with four events in Adelaide within the framework of the Adelaide Arts Festival, an event in London partnering with The Barbican and BFI among others, and Unsound Toronto as part of Luminato. Unsound has also worked in the region of Eastern Europe, in particular Minsk, Belarus, to create mini-festivals with local partners.
Unsound is also known for opening up architectural spaces, adapting them for music events. In Kraków, this includes Hotel Forum, a communist-era hotel building that had lain empty for a decade until Unsound 2012, then subsequently became an important cultural hub in the city. In Toronto in June 2015, Unsound adapted the abandoned Hearn Power Station to produce the first ever public event in the space in collaboration with Luminato Festival.
Unsound is a founding and active member of ICAS (International Cities of Advanced Sound).
Unsound has produced many collaborative and commissioned projects. The history of these projects begins with 2008's Warhol Series, where live electronic and experimental music is played as a "soundtrack" to classic silent Warhol films. Artists involved in this project include: Carl Craig, nsi., Groupshow, Stefan Németh and the video artist Lillevan. According to the Unsound website, the "series refers to Warhol’s own extensive use of pre-existing material to create something new, as well as the 60s multimedia event The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, which used Warhol’s film work as moving wallpaper projected onto a wall and musicians from The Velvet Underground."
Another key commissioned work is "Solaris," by Ben Frost and Daniel Bjarnasson in cooperation with Kraków's Sinfonietta Cracovia. Accompanied with visuals by Brian Eno and Nick Robertson, this piece premiered at Unsound Kraków in 2010, and was performed at Unsound Festival New York 2011 at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center. In 2014, Unsound partnered with Adelaide Festival to bring to life "Double Vision", created by Atom™ and Robin Fox. Like "Solaris", this project has gone on to tour the world.
Apart from commissioning works, Unsound has also become known as a platform for artists to premiere new pieces or shows - for example, Robert Henke's laser and sound work "Lumiere", which was launched in Kraków in 2013.
New York, 16–19 JuneAlessandro Cortini presents: SonnosBeau WanzerCliff LotharClub To Club SoundsystemDamián RomeroDJ RichardElysia Crampton presents: Dissolution of The Sovereign: A Time Slide Into The FutureErikaFurther ReductionsGreg FoxGreg Zifcak with dance performance by FlucTJlin liveLighting by NitemindNihal RamchandaniNinos Du BrasilOliviaScott FraserTimothy J. FairplayVaghe StelleVia App liveZenker BrothersToronto, 10–12 JuneAlessandro CortiniAmnesia ScannerAncient MethodsAurora HalaElysia CramptonEvian ChristHot Shotz (Powell & Lorenzo Senni)JlinKara-Lis Coverdale w/ MFOLoticOliviaOrphxRaimeRoly Porter & MFORP Boosunn o)))T’ien LaiThe Bug ft. Flowdan & Miss RedTim Hecker & MFOWaclaw ZimpelBatumi, 27–29 MayAGFAux FieldChinoJorjickLoticMESHNatalia BeridzeNika JNinaOliviaSeverianeBishkek, 27–29 MayBishabroxxzDima AlienDJ Nazira KasGlacier Music (Robert Lippok, Lillevan and Askat Jetigen)Helena HauffJacek SienkiewiczKucharczykMonolake SurroundMoritz von Oswald with Ordo SakhnaPizOneRSS B0YSWilhelm BrasZackAdelaide, 26–28 FebruaryBabyfatherFennesz & LillevanHot Shotz: Powell & Lorenzo SenniJlin w/ Florence To & Avril Stormy UngerJohann Johannsson & Zephyr QuartetKangding RayKode9 X Lawrence Lek present The Nøtel (world premiere)Paula Temple w/ Lucy BensonRP BooSUMS: Kangding Ray & Barry BurnsTralala BlipVessel & Pedro MaiaKraków, 10–18 OctoberAlessandro CortiniAmnesia ScannerAndy StottAngel-HoAngel-Ho b2b RabitAurora HalalAvril Stormy UngerB.Baran & ChinoBill OrcuttBorusiadeCurrent 93Damien DubrovnikDJ BoneDJ FirmezaDJ Nigga FoxDJ NobuDJ TigerDungeon AcidElysia CramptonEmmanuel BiardFisFIT SiegelFlorence ToGalcher LustwerkGatto FrittoGay Poetry RecitalGreg FoxGrzegorz TyszkiewiczHealthHelena Hauff b2b KoehlerHelmHolly HerndonHot ShotzJacek SienkiewiczJerzy MazzollJlinJoanna DudaJohn Tilbury & Robert PiotrowiczJulius Eastman & Tomasz SikorskiKamil Szuszkiewicz & Hubert ZemlerKevin BrayKing Midas Sound & FenneszKode9LaraajiLawrence EnglishLevon VincentLexxi b2b EndgameLiturgyLoticLow JackLucas AbelaLutosławski Piano DuoLutto LentoMarcus SchmicklerMatana RobertsMax Loderbauer & Jacek SienkiewiczMichał WolskiMilczarek / SirkoMischa KozlowskiNHJNidia MinajNinaNkisiNozinjaOjunOliviaOptimoOren AmbarchiParrish SmithPaula TemplePedro MaiaPhilip Sherburne b2b Eltron JohnPiotr ZabrodzkiPole & MFOProstitutesPrurientPtakiRabih BeainiRabih Beaini & Wacław ZimpelRabitRabit & KuedoRaphael RogińskiRichie HawtinRimbaudRob MazurekRob Mazurek & MikrokolektywRomansRP BooRrose Plays James TenneyRRRKRTA b2b CharlieRSS B0YSSax RuinsShackleton × NisennenmondaiSHXCXCHCXSHSpeed DatingSurgeon & StarlightSynyT'ien LaiTazartès / Romańczuk / ZałęskiThe Black MadonnaThe PhantomTim HeckerUniiqu3UntoldVisionistWerkflowXosarYves de MeyZenker Brothers▒▒▒▒░▒░Toronto, 19–20 JuneAtom TM & Robin Fox present: "Double Vision"Ben Frost & MFO feat. Shahzad IsmailyBNNTChristina Sealey (Orphx)EmptysetHelena HauffLena WillikensLustmordMorton Subotnick & Lillevan present: "Silver Apples of the Moon"Robert Henke presents: "Lumiere II"RSS B0YSStars Of The Lid feat. Kensington EnsembleTim Hecker, MFO & Geza Schoen present: "Ephemera"We Will FailAdelaide, 12–16 MarchAtom TM & Robin Fox present "Double Vision"ContainerDopplereffektForest SwordsFushitsushaGazelle TwinHTRKKing Midas Sound SystemLawrence EnglishMika VainioShackletonThe Bug feat Miss Red & MangaKraków, 12–19 October67,5 Minut ProjektAlameda 4Amnesia ScannerAtom™ & Robin FoxAubo LessiBen FrostBen VidaBjørn TorskeBlondesBronze TeethCarter Tutti VoidChris AbrahamsCraig LeonCyclobeDave GaskarthDeathprodDJ Earl & DJ TayeDJ Funk & Bok BokDJ HvadDJ Spinn & TasoDJ StingrayDopplereffektEiT (Call Super b2b Objekt)Eltron JohnEvian ChristEVOLFelicitaFlorence ToGorzycki/GruchotGrouper & Paul ClipsonHeroinyHildur Guðnadóttir & Skúli SverrissonJacek MazurkiewiczJachna/BuhlJade BoydJam CityJan KlataJed Kurzel’s Snowtown: LiveJenny Hval & SusannaJoey AndersonKablamKaren GwyerKassem MosseKsiężycKucharczykLautbildLe Petit GarçonLee GambleLena WillikensLeyland KirbyLichensLorenzo SenniLoticM.E.S.H.Marcel Weber (MFO)Mark FellMirt + TerMumdance feat. NovelistNagrobkiNavnlaust Mønster Opptog (NMO)Ninos du BrasilNurse With WoundOliviaPedro MaiaPercPharmakonPhilip SherburnePinch b2b Mumdance b2b LogosPiotr KurekPowellRemont Pomp & Mikołaj Trzaska Ircha Clarinet QuartetRen Schofield (aka Container) & Kenneth Kapstad & Tomas JärmyrRichard Pinhas & KapitalRipattiRobert HoodRobert PiernikowskiRroseRRRKRTARussell HaswellSophieSouvenir de TangerStanislav TolkachevStian WesterhusStine Janvin MotlandSuzanne Ciani & NeotantrikSwansTarik BarriTCFThe BugThe Necks & RadianTotal FreedomTransilvanian GalaxiTraxxValerio TricoliVesselWanda GroupWarnaWe Will FailWillie BurnsXeno & OaklanderYoung EchoZamilskaZs & Gyða ValtýsdóttirNew York, 2–6 AprilAndy VotelBen Manely & Sean MeehanBen VidacopelandDeepChordDemdike Stare, Michael England and Sinfonietta CracoviaHeathered PearlsHubert ZemlerHuerco S.Håkon SteneItal & HalalJoe Talia & James RushfordKapitalLe Petit GarçonLeisure MuffinMilesOren Ambarchi with Sinfonietta Cracovia Quintet & FriendsPaal Nilssen-LovePhill NiblockPiotr KurekPiętnastkaPorter RicksRobert Aiki Aubrey LoweStara RzekaSuzanne Ciani & NeotantrikWilhelm BrasWillie BurnsAdelaide, 6–8 MarchCut HandsEmptysetGardlandJames FerraroJed Kurzel Snowtown: LiveLee GambleMoritz von Oswald Trio featuring Tony AllenMorton SubotnickNurse With WoundStars of the LidKraków, 13–20 OctoberABBTAltar of PlaguesAnna ZaradnyAnthony NaplesArcaArtfruitAUDINT: Toby Heys & Steve GoodmanB/B/S/Bartek KujawskiBeneathBesgacziCharlemagne Palestine & Rhys ChathamChinoChris WatsonClipping.Conor ThomascopelandCreepy Marionette b2b Wendy CatkinsCzarny LatawiecDaniel DrumzDean BluntDemdike Stare & Andy StottDJ MarfoxDJ Nigga FoxDJ QuDJ RichardDVA DamasEarthEltron JohnEvian ChristFilip LechFire!Forest SwordsGaap KvltGalcher LustwerkGardlandGobbyGrzegorz TyszkiewiczHelena HauffI-FInnodeIron NoirJacaszek & KwartludiumJames FerraroJenny HvalJulianna BarwickKarennKeith Fullerton Whitman, Roly Porter, Lucy Benson & Marcel WeberKing Midas SoundKomora AKucharczykKwadrofonikLaurel HaloLee Gamble b2b Miles WhittakerLutto LentoMark FellMika VainioMirtMykki BlancoNate YoungOliviaOren AmbarchiPantha du Prince & The Bell LaboratoryPaweł KulczyńskiPearson SoundPete SwansonPhilip SherburnePorter RicksPowellPtakiRegisRichard Moss presents: "The Enclave"Robert HenkeRobert PiernikowskiRobert PiotrowiczRobert RichRP BooRSS B0YSSamuel KerridgeStara RzekaStefan WesołowskiStellar Om SourceSvengalisghostThe Mulholland Free ClinicThe PhantomTralala BlipTropic of CancerUnderground ResistanceVisionistWilhelm BrasYoung MaleLondon, 26–29 SeptemberAnna ZaradnyBNNTDemdike Stare, Michael England and Sinfonietta CracoviaDisjectaDurian BrothersForest SwordsInnodeLee GambleLustmordNicholas BullenPaul PurgasPianohooliganRobert PiotrowiczStara RzekaVester KozaAdelaide, 14–16 MarchActressBen FrostBen Frost and Daniel Bjarnason with Adelaide SymphonyBiosphere & Lustmord present: Trinity, with visuals by MFOBrian EnoDemdike Stare present: Concealed, with Zephyr QuartetHype WilliamsLustmordNick RobertsonPoleRaimeRobin FoxTim HeckerTim Hecker & Daniel LopatinKraków, 13–20 OctoberAcid AlanAndy VotelArtfruitaTelecineATOMAtom™Aurora HalalBambino Sound SystemBass ClefBeautiful SwimmersBee MaskBen FrostBen UFOBen VidaBill KouligasBiosphere & Lustmord present: TrinityBlack RainBlack Rain & KotraBNNTChinoContainerCooly GDave TompkinsDemdike Stare present: ConcealedDucktailsEltron JohnEmptysetEtamskiEtamski & PiernikowskiEvan Calder WilliamsEvian ChristFactory FloorFatima Al QadiriFushitsushaGathasparHeatsickHelmHey Convict!Hieroglyphic BeingHolly HerndonHubert ZemlerInnercity EnsembleInterplanetary Prophets (Ital & Hieroglyphic Being)Ital (performing with Hieroglyphic Being)Jacek SienkiewiczJade BoydJigokuJuju & JordashJulia HolterKevin DrummKotra (performing with Black Rain)KTLKuedoLee GambleMala In CubaMark PilkingtonMax DunbarMazzoll plays Responsio MortiferaMetaspliceMFOMi$gogoMikeQNguzunguzuNHJNHK'KoyxeиNiski SzumOnemanOpium HumPhilip SherburnePiernikowski/EtamskiPiętnastkaPolePussykrewRaimeRansomRobert PiernikowskiRon MorelliSentelShackletonShedSlavaSza/Za/ZeT'ien LaiTeengirl FantasyThe Haxan CloakThe PhantomTheo ParrishTim Hecker and Daniel LopatinTomek ChołoniewskiTraxmanV/VMVatican ShadowVesselVoices From the LakeWifeTbilisi, 14–16 DecemberGeorge MozgovoiHeatsickJorjickKangding RayNika JNikakoiPiotr KurekpoleRecognition (aka Jacek Sienkiewicz)Temo MachavarianiThomas FehlmannTomma ChaladzeTusia BeridzeZenialNew York, 18–22 April2562ActressBaabaBiosphereDaveQDemdike StareDenis Kolokol/Tomek Chołoniewski Duo & Nate WooleyDistalEltron JohnHai Nguyen Dinh & Nondor NevalHieroglyphic BeingHype WilliamsInner Tube (Mark McGuire & Spencer Clark)ITALJacaszekJenny HvalJulia HolterJulia KentKotra & Black RainLaurel HaloLustmordLXMPMaria MinervaMark McGuire & Bartek WeberMark Van Hoen & Maria MinervaMFOMonolakeNapszyklatNext LifeNguzunguzuP.MAPeaking LightspoleSepalcureSun ArawSun Araw vs. Heat Wave - DJ SetTeethThrowing SnowZavoloka & Andrea PensadoZemi17Kraków, 9–16 October2562A Winged Victory For The SullenAddison GrooveAn On Bast + PhovidAndres LõoAndy StottBlack TaxiBrailleBrokenchordCatz 'N DogzChris & CoseyChristian WallumrødCut HandsDeaf CenterDJ RashadDJ SpinnDreadnoughtDylan EttingerEdgars RubenisEkoplekzFelix KubinGas of LatviaHoly OtherHTRKHype Williamsi/dexiconAclass (w/MC dälek) & NapszyklatItalJacaszekJacques GreeneJade BoydJam CityJohn Foxx and The MathsJon Rafman & Daniel LopatinJoy OrbisonKangding RayKassem MosseKiNKKode9 + MFOKotraLA VampiresLaurel HaloLegoweltLillevanLucy BensonLXMPMachinedrumMacio MorettiMagic TouchMaria MinervaMark McGuireMFOMMMModel 500MorphosisMorton SubotnickNatural Snow BuildingsNightwaveNiweaObjektOptigramp.maPhilip SherburnePussykrewRicardo Villalobos & Max LoderbauerRobin FoxRustieSentelSepalcureSex WorkerSillyconductorSinfonietta CracoviaSLGSpace Dimension ControllerStellar OM SourceSun ArawTeethTemporary Space DesignThe Band of Endless NoiseThe Caretaker / Leyland KirbyThe ComplainerThe Generator Analogue Orchestra / Za Siódmą GórąThe Haxan CloakThe Impossible AssemblyThe VolumeThomas WirskiTin ManVHS HeadVoldemars JohansonsWo0ZavolokaNew York, 1–10 AprilAki OndaAlan HowarthAnna ZaradnyAppleblimAtom TMAtom™ and Pink EllnBadawiBen FrostBethany BenzurC. Spencer YehCarlos GiffoniChancha Via CircuitoChristina ChatfieldCOHDaniel BjarnasonDave QDawid SzczesnyDeaf CenterDJ OliveDorian Concepteleven tigersEmeraldsErika ShermanGlitterbugGünter MüllerHarald GrosskopfHATI + Z'evHenryk GoreckiInstant CoffeeJade BoydJason KahnJeremy BermanJurek PrzezdzieckiKamil JankowiakKiNKKode9Krzysztof PendereckiLillevanLizzi BougatsosLoneLustmordMarcus SchmicklerMERCEMKMMorton SubotnickNorbert MöslangOctave OnePaul WirkusPetar DundovPulsharRichard KamermanRobert PiotrowiczRunawaySamuli KemppiSepalcureSinfonietta CracoviaSpatialSteve ReichSvarte GreinerTaylor DeupreeThe PhantomThe Skull Defekts featuring Daniel HiggsTin ManVoid ov VoicesZeppy ZepZomesKraków, 17–24 OctoberActressAdam Bryanbaum WiltzieAlan HowarthAndre VidaAnna ZaradnyBaaba, with Special Guests Natalia Przybysz & Małgorzata SarbakBadawi (Raz Mesinai)BeatbullyBen FrostBirkBlack to CommCarlos GiffoniCherrystonesCosmin TRGDaníel BjarnasonDaveQDeadboyDemdike StareDerek PlaslaikoDorian ConceptElegieleven tigersEltron JohnEmeraldsFaltyDLFinnbogi PéturssonFrode FjerdingstadGoblinHild Sofie TafjordHildur GuðnadóttirJacek SienkiewiczJackmasterJacob KirkegaardJade BoydJames BlakeJana WinderenJazkamerJigokuJoel MartinJoy OrbisonKontextKrengKyle HallLaetitia SadierLast.fm DJ TeamLindstrømLukasz SzalankiewiczLustmordMarcus FjellströmMelkeveienMFOMice ParadeMike HuckabyMonnoMordant MusicMoritz von Oswald TrioMount KimbieNovellerOCTAVA EnsembleOneohtrix Point NeverOni AyhunPetre InspirescuPussykrewRaimeRoll the DiceSchola Cantorum Reykjavik Chamber ChoirShackletonShiningSilje NesSinfonietta CracoviaSpatialStian Smestad & A.T.L.ESUPRA1Sza/ZaTerror DanjahThe PhantomTim HeckerTzu Nyen HoUna LorenzenWildbirds & PeacedrumsZeppy ZepZombie ZombieNew York, 4–14 February2562ACMEAlexander KalineAndrew PeklerBarbara PreisingerBlondesBora YoonBorneCarl CraigDave QDavid DaniellDerek PlaslaikoDJ QuEnsemble LPREric CloutierEzekiel HonigFaltyDLGroupshowHanno LeichtmannJacaszekJacek SienkiewiczJan JelinekJoshue OttKadebostanKids Electronic Music BandKonqueLegoweltLevon VincentLillevanLillevan & Vladislav DelayLuke HessMarcin CzubalaMike HuckabyMike ServitoMorgan GeistMoritz von Oswald TrioMountainsNadjaNeurotic Drum BandNewworldaquariumnsi.Patrick RussellPavel AmbiontPetre InspirescuPoleRadianSawakoSebastian Meissner + Kwartludium = Solid State TransmittersSepalcureShakeSpinozaTapeTim HeckerTobias.TRGUntoldVladislav DelayXavier Van WerschZavolokaZenialKraków, 19–25 October2562Ben FrostBiosphereDJ SpinozaEagle TwinEltron JohnGrouperIkonikaJacaszekJames BlackshawJóhann JóhannssonKode9 & the SpaceapeMarcel DettmannMartynMikrokolektywMoishe Moishe MoisheleMonolakeMountain PeopleNext LifeNico MuhlyOmar-SPavel AmbiontSam AmidonSebastian Meissner + Kwartludium = Solid State TransmittersShedSinfonietta CracoviaSoap&SkinStars of the LidSunn O)))Sza/ZaThe National Fanfare of KadebostanyUntoldValgeir SigurðssonZombyKraków, 18–25 OctoberAmos PoeAndrew PeklerAutistic DaughtersBanabila / ZenialBen FrostBengaBoxcutterBruno Pronsatobshosa (detroitZDRoJ)ColleendOPFuck ButtonsGaloppierende ZuversichtGroupshowHanno LeichtmannHauschkaJacek Sienkiewicz Presents RecognitionJan JelinekJorge HaroJørgen KnudsenKaspar Koenig & Simon BerzLillevanMark TempletonMax RichterMałe InstrumentyMelchior ProductionsMichael NymanNémeth / Hess / SiewertNôzensi.Pan AmericanPani KPinchSkreamThe NecksThe Sight BelowTibor HolodaVJ LullabyXiu XiuKraków, 21–25 NovemberAntoine ChessexCandie HankChica & The FolderChica Paula DJ setChristopher JustData DiskDictaphoneDj CylobDmx KrewDunaewsky69Effekt VolEllery Eskelin/Andrea Parkins/Jim BlackFranz PomasslFuckheadGudrun GutJohn KeysLawrence EnglishLokaiMagnum38Michal HoNO-Domain live AV ShowPantha du PrincePhilip SherburnePogotowie Rozkręcania ImprezPussyKrewThe Complainer & The ComplainersXavier van WerschUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Mińsk, 12 – 13 MayAabzuInstitut Fur FeinmotorikJezus thane na BerlinKapital Band 1Mapstation & Dawid SzczesnyMateridouskaMichal MarianekPole Nicholas BussmanThomas FehlmannUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Kiev, 10–11 MayAabzuDj Mr. MuckFlowtexInstitut Fur FeinmotorikJezus thane na BerlinKapital Band 1Mapstation & Dawid SzczesnyMateridouskaMichal MarianekPoleThomas FehlmannUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Toruń, 28 – 29 AprilAabzuAGF + ZavolokaAn on BastBaabaDandy Jack and the JunctionHauschkaKotra + ZavolokaMateridouskaMidilidiSieg Uber Die SonneThomas KoenerUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Kraków, 26–27 AprilAabzuAGF + ZavolokaDandy Jack and the Junction SMHauschkaMateridouskaMidiLidiRational DietRechenzentrumSieg Uber Die SonneThomas KoenerZavoloka + KotraUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Bratislava 20–21 AprilCobra KillerDictaphoneKate WaxKiritchenkoKosmischer Pitch with Jan JelinekKotraMateridouskaMitch & MitchNatur ProduktUnsoundOnTourAcrossBorders, Prague 18–19 AprilAndrey KiritchenkoCobra KillerDictaphoneJan Jelinek I Kosmischer PitchJustice YeldhamKate WaxKotraMachine FunckMitch & MitchNatur ProduktNeutrinoKraków, 22–25 NovemberAnna i Adam WitkowscyBaabaBodenstandig 2000Chris De LucaDawid Szczęsny & Mateusz MoczulskiDieb13Dj GlowEntropy & EmitterFeninFunzionGustavInstitut fur FeinmotorikKate Wax & Dave The HustlerLawrence EnglishMerzouga Duo & WolframMicrotholMilipopNikita TsymbalNymmysnugPhon.OPussyKrewRan SlavinSven KonigThomas FehlmannThomas KonerVertVj JoaquimVladislav BubenVolgaZenialBytom, 14–26 NovemberAdam BellAnna i Adam WitkowscyBędzin BeatDawid SzczęsnyErik BungerInstitut fur FeinmotorikLawrence EnglishMateusz MoczulskiMichael AckermannMichał GórczyńskiNummysnugRan SlavinSven KonigThomas FehlmannThomas KonerTomasz DudaTropajUnderwater AgentsVolgaKraków, 11–16 OctoberAabzuAl Haca SoundsystemBernhard LoibnerBomb Mitte SoundsystemCOCobra KillerColumn OneComplainerConstruction SonorData DiskDB (Wojtek Kosma, Bas van Koolwijk, Duszan Korczakowski, Michał Skiba)DEADBEATEmiszynErrorsmithFelix KubinHolgera LipmannIsoleeITOAJan RohlfJežíš táhne na BerlínKapital Band 1Karaoke TundraMetalliceMichał MarianekPOLEPrawattSmallCockvisomat inc.VJ JadeZa Siódmą GórąKraków, 13–17 OctoberAlexiej BorisovAndriej KiriczenkoArszynHHTPHIPNAGOG (India Czajkowska, Marek Chołoniewski, Tomek Chołoniewski, Marcin Dymiter)Husain OrucevicJacek SienkiewiczJoseph SuchyKotraMarc WeiserMarcin CzubalaMoglassPROCESS (Rav Drevniany, Tomasz Duda, Rafał Mazur)Thomas BrinkmannWojtek KosmaZavalokaZenialKraków, 21–23 NovemberAabzuBlack EyesDoug snugF.S. BlummKammerflimmer KollektiefMik.Musik.Orgextra.!.Wojciech Kosma + VJ Jansi & Karolina KowalskaIn 2014, Unsound launched its Ephemera project, connecting sound and scent. According to the Ephemera website, the project "presents olfactory compositions based on musical resonances and reverberations". The nose behind the project is Berlin-based Geza Schoen.
In the first phase of the project, three musicians - Ben Frost, Tim Hecker, and Steve Goodman (aka Kode9) - created raw sonic material which Schoen then reinterpreted to create three different scents: Noise, Drone and Bass. These scents and sounds were then used in an installation environment that premiered at Unsound Festival New York, and gained wide media attention. The installation was subsequently set up at the National Museum of Kraków, the Tromsø Kunstforening in Norway and the Malmo Inter-Arts Centre.
In October 2014, the Ephemera scents were released as perfumes with the music available as downloadable tracks, and have received positive reviews from "niche" perfume and music writers.
For the first time, Ephemera took the form of a live experience at Unsound Toronto on June 19, 2015, involving music by Tim Hecker, an olfactory component by Geza Schoen and lighting design by Marcel Weber. The critical reception for this work was highly positive, with the Canadian music website Exclaim writing "Ephemera is truly, unequivocally original – a sensory performance on a whole new level."
The co-founder and artistic director of Unsound is Mat Schulz. The executive director is Małgorzata Płysa.