The Present and the Future of Polish Coastal Music Festivals

Abstract

In this chapter I present the history of three Polish popular music festivals, Open’er in Gdynia, Audioriver in Płock and Jazz na Molo (Jazz on the Pier) in Sopot, all taking place near the sea or a river. I also examine how they cater for their audiences and sustain themselves and speculate about their future, taking into account factors which are conducive for their survival and expansion and those which might negatively affect their sustainability and development. In my research I draw on the history of music festivals in Poland and the current situation of music and other festivals in this country, captured by the term ‘festivalisation’. I draw on academic work on festivals, conducted in Poland and elsewhere, as well as information about festivals distributed by the media, including their websites. I also use interviews with their organisers and participants, as well as my own experience of attending two of them.