Prague's festival season will kick off on Štvanice Island, where the next edition of the traditional United Islands festival will take place from May 1st to 3rd. Over three days, it will offer a musical showcase full of the best domestic and international discoveries. The main stages will be set up not only on Štvanice Island but also at Přístav 18600, near Dva Kohouti in Karlín, and at the Holešovice Market. Additionally, on Thursday, the festival will bring music to numerous Prague clubs, from legendary venues to lesser-known gems. As in previous years, entry to United Islands will be free for all visitors.
"The festival is certainly not resting on its laurels; we strive to improve it every year. And sometimes, that requires a change of location. I believe this will be a welcome change for both us and our visitors after years in one place. Every year, I’m happy to be part of an event that helps young artists break through and perform on stages that mean the world. I’m already looking forward to transforming Štvanice into a festival venue alongside rising stars,” says festival producer Martin Voňka.
“We’re building on last year’s truly successful edition, which gave us a huge boost of energy. On Friday and Saturday, Štvanice will become a home for musical talents across genres from all over Europe. Look forward to dozens of fresh names you can see and hear for free as always—many of them performing in the Czech Republic for the very first time,” says Michal “Gumi” Nguyen, the dramaturge of United Islands festival.
A Packed Line-up and a Shortened Name
This year, visitors can look forward to a diverse lineup of fresh musical talents from both the local and international scenes. The festival's biggest star will be German singer Cloudy June, who has played dozens of sold-out shows across Europe. Her hit FU In My Head has amassed tens of millions of streams, and she even had a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
Another standout act is Irish jazz and neo-soul artist Qbanaa, who has been making waves worldwide in recent years. While her previous recordings drew from soul, drum’n’bass, and electronic influences, her current work is deeply rooted in Cuban rhythms. Her performance at United Islands will be one of her first ever in the Czech Republic.
The festival will also feature Congolese-Austrian musician Kimyan Law, known for his interdisciplinary show that blends African instruments, rhythms, and influences into his music.
Representing the Czech-Slovak scene will be artists like Czech-Iranian rapper Sawsane, singer Marsell Bendig, and bands Bitter Season, Byt číslo 4 and Časovač. Also making an appearance is Grundza, who recently gained fame from the successful film Na plech.
This year, the festival organizers have introduced another change alongside the move to Štvanice. After years of using the full name United Islands of Prague, they have decided to shorten it to simply United Islands.
“Our activities have long gone beyond just a multi-day festival in Prague. We strive to connect people who want to experience something unique, linking not only Prague’s islands but also other symbolic places across the Czech Republic and abroad. That’s why we decided to shorten the name to what most people already call it,” explains festival producer Martin Voňka.
This will be the 22nd edition of the United Islands festival in Prague. It will kick off with Music Club Discoveries on Thursday, followed by the Symphony for Humanity concert on Friday, an event aimed at raising awareness about rising xenophobia both locally and globally. Visitors can also look forward to a rich accompanying program throughout the festival.
