Blab Music
Fifth Graj Music Festival Draws 700 Fans to Warsaws NIEBO Club, Highlights Belarusian Talent and Charity Auction
A sold‑out crowd of 700 turned Warsaw’s NIEBO club into a buzzing hub of Belarusian music on September 5, as the fifth Graj festival unfolded. The club, known for its high‑quality sound system, delivered the crisp acoustics that the audience praised while the event’s celebratory atmosphere kept energy levels high.
The lineup began with two up‑and‑coming acts, Rodvaloth and RaState, both of whom earned their spots through the Graj competition for emerging performers. The contest attracted dozens of applications, and the jury chose the two bands after both audience and jury votes favored them.
After the opening sets, the crowd’s favorite, Razbitae Sertsa Patsana, took the stage. Dzieciuki followed, a group celebrated for high‑energy songs that invite slam‑dance participation. The festival’s momentum swelled with the punk outfit Dai Darohu!, fronted by Yury Stylski, and the collective J:Mors, whose set further raised the crowd’s enthusiasm. The marathon concluded with a performance by Volski, a veteran act whose presence was described by attendees as a satisfying finale.
Throughout the evening, a charity auction ran alongside the concerts, supporting Belarusian artists. Hosts Valer Ruselik and Maryna Savitskaya managed the event, offering items such as a headdress belonging to Ales Dzyanisau of Dzieciuki and a painting by Yaraslau Kirvel that depicted Lavon Volski during a joint performance with Atesta. The auction raised approximately 8,000 zlotys for the artists.
The festival attracted several prominent Belarusian figures. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, musician Franak Viačorka, and former First Secretary Pavel Barkouski were in attendance. Music journalist and writer Aliaksandr Charnukha also signed autographs for fans.
An art market operated alongside the concerts, allowing attendees to purchase works by Belarusian artisans and to meet cultural and political personalities from Belarus. One visitor reflected on the event: “I had a really great time today. Good sound, music, and lots of beautiful and sensible Belarusian men and women.”
The Graj festival, a staple of the Belarusian summer festival circuit, closed its season on this Warsaw night. The event showcased the breadth of Belarusian music—from emerging metal acts to established punk and pop‑rock performers—while providing a platform for charitable support of local artists. With the charity auction’s proceeds and the sold‑out attendance, the festival underscored the continued relevance of Belarusian cultural expression in a regional context.
Looking ahead, the festival’s organizers have not announced a schedule for a sixth edition. However, the success of the fifth iteration suggests that the Graj brand will likely return in the future, potentially expanding its lineup and charitable initiatives.
The lineup began with two up‑and‑coming acts, Rodvaloth and RaState, both of whom earned their spots through the Graj competition for emerging performers. The contest attracted dozens of applications, and the jury chose the two bands after both audience and jury votes favored them.
After the opening sets, the crowd’s favorite, Razbitae Sertsa Patsana, took the stage. Dzieciuki followed, a group celebrated for high‑energy songs that invite slam‑dance participation. The festival’s momentum swelled with the punk outfit Dai Darohu!, fronted by Yury Stylski, and the collective J:Mors, whose set further raised the crowd’s enthusiasm. The marathon concluded with a performance by Volski, a veteran act whose presence was described by attendees as a satisfying finale.
Throughout the evening, a charity auction ran alongside the concerts, supporting Belarusian artists. Hosts Valer Ruselik and Maryna Savitskaya managed the event, offering items such as a headdress belonging to Ales Dzyanisau of Dzieciuki and a painting by Yaraslau Kirvel that depicted Lavon Volski during a joint performance with Atesta. The auction raised approximately 8,000 zlotys for the artists.
The festival attracted several prominent Belarusian figures. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, musician Franak Viačorka, and former First Secretary Pavel Barkouski were in attendance. Music journalist and writer Aliaksandr Charnukha also signed autographs for fans.
An art market operated alongside the concerts, allowing attendees to purchase works by Belarusian artisans and to meet cultural and political personalities from Belarus. One visitor reflected on the event: “I had a really great time today. Good sound, music, and lots of beautiful and sensible Belarusian men and women.”
The Graj festival, a staple of the Belarusian summer festival circuit, closed its season on this Warsaw night. The event showcased the breadth of Belarusian music—from emerging metal acts to established punk and pop‑rock performers—while providing a platform for charitable support of local artists. With the charity auction’s proceeds and the sold‑out attendance, the festival underscored the continued relevance of Belarusian cultural expression in a regional context.
Looking ahead, the festival’s organizers have not announced a schedule for a sixth edition. However, the success of the fifth iteration suggests that the Graj brand will likely return in the future, potentially expanding its lineup and charitable initiatives.
