As CTM Festival 2026 gets closer, we would like to share with you what excites us the most about this year’s edition. Similar to years before, the line-up has been made into a perfect charcuterie board of genres, forming one unidentifiable whole defined by its diversity and openness to exploration. One small disclaimer before I get to my choices. My exploratory intention this year is mostly focused on club music, while CTM usually offers much more. Hence, my selection lacks many phenomenal performers and soundscapists. This line-up is definitely worth checking out just for your own good, even if you are not intending to go. It will surely widen your musical knowledge and interest beyond known borders.
Blawan
My dear friend Viktor described his music as the dirtiest clean sound you can get, and I cannot forget this one, as it is absolutely on point. Blawan balances on the edge of club music with its general likeability and rhythmic predictability, and the harsh sound of noise and industrial genres, creating an absolutely enjoyable whirl of feelings.
Blood Of Aza
There are many artists who have been defined by the unlimited possibilities of sampling and deforming the original sound in a really grim way, but very few stuck with me like Blood Of Aza. An amazing artist for those who love hard bootleg versions of iconic sounds with original production and very fresh arrangements. Also, check out our article on Blood Of Aza here.
Catnapp
Known and loved, Catnapp is a well-established name, combining a hyper-soft touch and pitched-up vocals with the intensity of breakbeats and rather traditional genres into a very internet-like, contemporary twist on the known. I have seen the show before and I have no doubt we can expect a high-energy set full of good intentions.
Earth
How could I not mention Earth? The myth, the legends, are quite a rare sight, surely for anyone attending this one. While for many this show will be far from their scope of interests, it definitely is on many bucket lists and surely is on mine as well. Some things just need to be seen.
feeo
I am not sure if I had come across this act before the CTM announcement, but I absolutely fell in love with the last release. Cinematic, emotionally intense, and attractive in its own partially depressed, partially mysterious way.
Growlers Choir
As many of us know, CTM is more of an experience than an opportunity to see your favourite. In this case, I can guarantee an unusual one. For those who don’t know, growl is that deep metal roar people do on stage, which goes beyond the limits of the throat. Imagine a whole choir of them… what more to add.
Jensen Interceptor
Enjoyable club act. Not too harsh, not too basic, not too pop-y, but still catchy. I would recommend his show if you want to go out, have fun, and dance to kick grooves. For me, definitely a listen when I seek more energy in my lazy office-attending days. Just bringing a bit of club into the corporate world while remaining charmingly hard.
KAVARI
Chaotic, bassy, scary even, definitely inspiring. KAVARI has proven so many times that there is no limit to what sort of emotion can be brought into the club. There are very few convention-breaking artists who made it out of a local scene with such an impact on line-ups all over European alternative events. Let’s see what she brings for her set; I’ve heard that usually it is a lot of genres, so let’s be excited about it.
NGHTCRWLR
Another queen of darkness, princess of heavy guitars and lordess of darkness. While KAVARI’s production is heavy and doomy, NGHTCRWLR as a music project feels way more human — a negative experience of living a life and surviving, biting through it. I feel like a familiar experience presented in honest way.
RONI
What suggestion would it be if I hadn’t mentioned anything touched by Latin-American sound? Club producer RONI combines industrial soundscapes with Latin percussion, creating movement while maintaining the heaviness of club music. As I mentioned, I am seeking fun and club music this year, and this act defines my intentions.
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Text: Milan Gajtko
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