Współgłosy | Opening Concert

What?

They bring together jazz musicians, actors, and a choir of people with intellectual disabilities, but above all, they are a BAND in which these differences have long since ceased to matter. It’s a model that’s a bit out of step with today’s times. A second family. Współgłosy: After releasing their first album, which won a Fryderyk Award, they played nearly 30 concerts—at Męskie Granie and the Nowy Teatr, on Radio Trójka, and at the Off Festival. These are the kinds of experiences that make it impossible not to walk away at least a little happier. Because once you step outside the box, you’ll see: there’s no going back. On their second album, they explore their songwriting potential—solo, in unison, and polyphonically. There’s a jungle beat, there’s soul, gospel, and pop. There’s a song with the potential to be a stadium hit and an artistic one—a bit of a Kraków vibe. Alternative, improvisation, and operatic vocalizations. Take a deep breath. A musical experiment unfolding between a detuned keyboard and a million-dollar piano. Why, why? Because we want it all!
There are lyrics. They’re always about something. They offer simple answers to difficult questions. In Polish, English, and made-up French, they talk about coming to terms with life and accepting the world. Because what you need isn’t there—but what is there is what there is. There’s a chorus of friends. Błażej Król and Tomasz Kot make guest appearances. There’s “Frajda” and plenty of joy. And a preview of what’s to come on the third album. But maybe something completely different will emerge? You’ve got to have a sense of grandeur in life… It has to be possible. Everything has to be possible!

Who?

“WSPÓŁGŁOSY” consists of:

Choir:

• Adela Balińska
• Bartosz Bielenia
• Maciej Chojnacki
• Radosław Dąbek
• Alicja Grzelec
• Magdalena Koleśnik
• Kamila Milczarek
• Remigiusz Rudkowski
• Maciej Rybowski
• Małgorzata Sidoszewska
• Tomasz Wasiak

Instrumental band:

• Marcel Baliński – piano, vocals, compositions
• Rafał Różalski – contrabass
• Bartosz Szablowski – percussion

Special guests: Błażej Król and Tomasz Kot—with solo parts in the songs “Usta” and “Wszystko Się Musi Dać.” A fantastic horn section: Piotr Chęcki (saxophone), Miłosz Pieczonka (alto saxophone), Ignacy Wendt (trumpet), and Jan Pieniążek on percussion, enhancing the drum parts.

For Whom?

The concert is aimed at all music lovers who appreciate bold projects that transcend the boundaries of genres and communities. It is an event for fans of jazz and alternative music, as well as for those interested in socially engaged art and projects that demonstrate how creativity can be a space for authentic encounter and collaboration. There are no age restrictions—the concert welcomes everyone who wants to experience music that builds community.

Why is it worth it?

The Łódź of Many Cultures Festival explores diversity not as a collection of separate worlds, but as an opportunity to create something new together. Współgłosy perfectly embodies this idea. The project demonstrates that culture becomes most interesting when it gives a voice to people with different experiences, sensibilities, and ways of experiencing the world. It is a concert that not only delights musically but also proposes a different model of community—one based on mutual listening, trust, and shared responsibility. In times of growing divisions, it tells the story that true harmony does not lie in the homogenization of voices, but in their conscious harmony.

Availability

The event takes place at the Dialogue Center in the theater and cinema hall, which is equipped with an induction loop. The Dialogue Center building is accessible to people with mobility impairments. It has wide, non-automatic entrance doors, an accessible restroom, and an elevator. The theater hall is located on the ground floor and has a ramp; the auditorium includes spaces for people in wheelchairs. There is a large parking lot in front of the building with designated parking spaces for people with disabilities. Assistance dogs and guide dogs are permitted inside the building and the auditorium. The building is equipped with the ToTuPoint audio navigation system. The entrance to the parking lot is on Wojska Polskiego Street. Nearby are the following bus and tram stops: Wojska Polskiego/Centrum Dialogu and Wojska Polskiego/Sporna.

Photos

Współgłosy, press materials, photo by Alicja Kozak