Independence Stage
The Independence Stage features artists who, like us, love their Fatherland and express that love through music.
This year the headliner on the grounds of the National Stadium will be LUXTORPEDA. They will be joined by BASTI and IRYDION, both well known to March participants, and Zespół Kresowy z Rybnicy – a Polish folk group from Transnistria. A patriotic concert at the end of the day is now a tradition of the Independence March.
Luxtorpeda – a rock band from Poznań, founded in 2010 by Robert “Litza” Friedrich, a guitarist and vocalist previously known from Acid Drinkers, Arka Noego and 2Tm2,3. He shares vocal duties with Przemysław “Hans” Frencel, and the line-up is completed by Robert Drężek (guitar), Krzysztof Kmiecik (bass) and Tomasz Krzyżaniak (drums).
The band combines a heavy guitar sound with lyrics about faith, hope and the struggles of ordinary people. Their debut album “Luxtorpeda” (2011) already produced hits such as “Autystyczny”, and later records, including “Robaki” and “MYWASWYNAS”, established Luxtorpeda as one of the most important Polish rock bands. Their concerts are famous for their energy and for the audience singing along.
Zespół Kresowy z Rybnicy (Polish folk group from Rîbnița) – comes to us from Transnistria, where the Polish community has cherished its identity for more than 400 years. Poles settled in the area for centuries, and after the Second Partition of Poland in 1793 a Roman Catholic parish was established there. The first church was founded by a local nobleman, Jan Nepomucen Kożuchowski.
Over the following decades – including the difficult 1930s and the Soviet era – it was the Catholic faith and the parish that allowed the local Poles to survive as a community and preserve their mother tongue. Since 1991 they have lived in internationally unrecognised Transnistria, still cultivating Polish culture and traditions, which they will present on the Independence Stage.
Basti – a rapper from Łódź, active on the scene since 2001. He is known for his strongly patriotic message and uncompromising approach to reality. His work combines hip-hop with a message about Poland, identity and freedom of speech. A breakthrough came with the album “Mowa Nienawiści” (“Hate Speech”, 2014) – a manifesto of patriotism and opposition to political correctness, released together with the quarterly Magna Polonia.
In the following years Basti developed his style, recording albums including “Z Sensem” (2016), “Osobisty Zbiór Wartości” (2021) and “2021–2023” (2024), in which he consistently combines reflection on the fate of Poland with a personal view of the present day. His songs often deal with national pride, tradition and the fight to preserve normal values. He has performed many times on the closing stage of the Independence March.
Irydion – a patriotic rock band from Brzeg, known for its uncompromising message and powerful sound. In its work the band addresses national, identity and historical themes, often standing in opposition to contemporary ideologies and social trends. It is not popular with leftists, feminists or journalists of the propaganda media. Their music combines classic rock with elements of hard rock, heavy metal and thrash metal.
The band’s best-known songs include “Biały krzyż” (“White Cross”) – from the compilation Twardzi jak stal – w hołdzie narodowym siłom zbrojnym (“Hard as Steel – a tribute to the National Armed Forces”), as well as “Która nie zginie” (“Which Shall Not Perish”) and “Serce i kotwica” (“Heart and Anchor”). For years Irydion has been a guest of the Independence Stage, where its energetic performances warm up the audience even on cold November evenings. Their songs are marked by a strong emotional charge, patriotism and loyalty to traditional values.
If after several hours of marching you feel hungry or want to warm up with a hot cup of tea, you are warmly invited to the food zone. This year eight Rural Housewives’ Associations (Koła Gospodyń Wiejskich) from different regions of Poland will be waiting for you there, with food inspired by the culinary traditions of their regions. Food trucks with dishes for every taste will complete the offer.
