Neofonía is a Ljubljana-based ensemble bringing together top Slovenian instrumentalists who are passionate about contemporary music. Since its establishment in 2010, Neofonía has introduced a number of important and groundbreaking works to local audiences by some of the most influential composers of the last 70 years, as well as music by exciting younger composers. Neofonía has performed at every edition of the Koper Biennale since its inception in 2012, as well as at the World Music in Ljubljana Days (2015), the Sonemus Festival in Sarajevo and in NOSPR Concert Hall in Katowice. Neofonía was also the resident ensemble for the inaugural Ljubljana New Music Forum in 2020. The ensemble’s founder and artistic director is Steven Loy.

Formed in Kranj in 2018, Neuromancer is a synthwave duo and an extremely rare breed among the younger generation of Slovenian bands. Inspired by the rise of synth-based music of the past decade and movies from the 80s, the band’s aesthetic is a mix of old and new ingredients. Powerful guitar riffs are combined with soaring synth melodies, all fused into an alluring retrofuturistic package. With the aim to deliver to audiences a fully immersive experience, their live performances are accentuated by a synchronized light show that conjures a special atmosphere.

Neville Hall was born in 1962 in Wellington, New Zealand. He studied composition at Auckland University with John Rimmer and John Elmsly, His works have been performed at festivals and concerts in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Since 1993, Neville has lived in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he is active as a freelance composer. Neville has represented New Zealand three times at the ISCM World Music Days, most recently in Beijing in 2018. In 2020, he released a CD of his music entitled Or looked back to the flowing,

The Ljubljana New Music Forum is a contemporary music festival that, despite its limited concert activity, manages to address followers of contemporary musical expression. The Forum engages Slovenian professional musicians in its in-house New Music Forum Ensemble, which, together with foreign musicians, performs a programme including many premieres of new works created in Slovenia.

The New Swing Quartet from Šentjurje was active from 1968 to 2008 and performed a repertoire mostly based on gospel music The Quartet regrouped in 2008 to celebrate their 50th anniversary at sold-out venues and has since continued to perform.

Niet is a legendary Slovenian punk-rock band, formed in the 1980s. With their energetic sound and socially charged lyrics, they became pioneers of the Slovenian punk movement. Songs like Depresija and Lep dan za smrt have left a lasting impact on generations. After several breaks, they reunited and continue to perform, maintaining their raw energy and uncompromising expression. Their music remains a symbol of rebellion and authenticity.

The Nights in Old Ljubljana Town is an international festival run by Imago Sloveniae, a public interest institute, and traditionally presented during the last week of August. The concerts are held at more than ten, mostly open-air venues in the old city centre. The festival, whose thematic concept is based on serious and underrepresented music genres, including jazz, ethnic music, chanson and classical music, offers an overview of contemporary musical output and performance practices in these genres.

Soprano Nika Gorič graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz and completed her master’s and PhD at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received the Queen’s Commendation for Excellence. Recent performances include Aricie in Hippolyte et Aricie, Gilda in Rigoletto, and Italian singer in Capriccio. She debuted with the Philharmonia Orchestra and premiered works by Vito Žuraj. Nika has performed at Wigmore Hall, Klavier Festival Ruhr, and BBC Radio 3.

Nika Sole is a versatile musician, puppeteer and singer, who absorbs ethnic music elements into her musical expression. Together with different international ensembles and colleagues, she blends traditional ethnic music styles with her own authored music and the poetry of France Prešeren, Feri Lainšček, Srečko Kosovel, Alma Karlin and other Slovenian poets.