Get Ready! United Islands Festival Returns This May with 100 New Musical Treasures!
The festival season in Prague is set to commence on Štvanice Island, where the upcoming edition of the classic United Islands festival will take place from May 1st to 3rd.
For a duration of three days, the event will present a vibrant musical showcase teeming with the finest local and international talents. The main stages will be located not only on Štvanice Island, but also at Přístav 18600, near Dva Kohouti in the Karlín district, as well as at the Holešovice Market.
In addition, the festival will spread the joy of music across numerous Prague clubs on Thursday, featuring performances from both iconic venues and hidden gems. As in the past years, entry to United Islands will be completely free for all attendees.
“We’re building on the momentum from last year’s highly successful edition, which truly energized us. On both Friday and Saturday, Štvanice will transform into a haven for musical talents from various genres hailing from all over Europe. Prepare to discover dozens of new and exciting names, many of whom will be performing in the Czech Republic for the very first time—and all for free,” says Michal “Gumi” Nguyen, the festival’s dramaturge.
A Star-studded Line-up and a New Name
This year, guests can eagerly anticipate a rich lineup featuring fresh musical talents drawn from both the local and international music scenes. The festival’s headlining act will be the German singer Cloudy June, who has captivated audiences with dozens of sold-out performances across Europe. Her chart-topping hit FU In My Head has garnered tens of millions of streams, and she even had a billboard display in New York’s iconic Times Square.
Another noteworthy performer is the Irish jazz and neo-soul artist Qbanaa, who has gained significant recognition around the globe in recent years. While her earlier works blended elements of soul, drum’n’bass, and electronic styles, her current creations are deeply influenced by Cuban rhythms. Her appearance at United Islands will mark one of her first performances ever in the Czech Republic.
The festival will also showcase the Congolese-Austrian musician Kimyan Law, known for his interdisciplinary performances that artfully merge African instruments, rhythms, and cultural influences into his music.
Representing the Czech-Slovak scene will be talents such as the Czech-Iranian rapperSawsane, vocalistMarsell Bendig, and bands likeBitter Season, Byt číslo 4, and Časovač. Also in attendance will be Grundza, who recently garnered attention from the successful film Na plech.
This year, the festival organizers have made additional changes alongside the move to Štvanice. After many years of being known by the full name United Islands of Prague, they decided to simply use the shortened version, now referred to as United Islands.
“Our activities have long expanded beyond just a multi-day festival in Prague. We are committed to connecting individuals who seek unique experiences, linking not just Prague’s islands but also other significant locations throughout the Czech Republic and beyond. Therefore, we made the decision to simplify the name to what most people commonly refer to it as,” explains festival producer Martin Voňka.
