The Polish ensemble Kapela Agopsowicza takes over ALICE with traditional dance music from central Poland – played the way it once sounded in village communities generations ago. Here, the unstoppable energy of youth meets melodies of the past, intense rhythms and lively communal singing in a combination that can keep the dance floor buzzing all night long. If you enjoyed last year’s concert with the Ukrainian group HrayBery at ALICE, lace up your dancing shoes and join us when Kapela Agopsowicza performs this March.

Kapela Agopsowicza is made up of young musicians deeply fascinated by Poland’s rural music traditions. For years, they have been apprentices to elder village musicians, immersing themselves in mazurkas, obereks and other dance forms that once formed the backbone of weddings and celebrations in the Polish countryside. Especially the triple-meter dance tunes are a rare treat today – and for many Nordic ears, they will resonate with the spirit of the Scandinavian polska.

The band’s concerts are more than just musical performances. Between tunes, the musicians share stories and anecdotes that open up the broader cultural context behind the melodies, offering the audience a deeper understanding of the traditions. The instrumentation is as authentic as the expression itself: fiddle, frame drum, village cello (basy) and a three-row Polish accordion create a rich and nuanced soundscape. The music is often accompanied by vivid singing – just as these dance tunes were originally sung spontaneously by the audience. Despite the band’s short history, Kapela Agopsowicza has already played numerous concerts and dance parties across Poland, including appearances at major folk and world music festivals. In November 2025, they recorded their debut album, and we look forward to experiencing their energetic, tradition-rooted universe unfold live when Kapela Agopsowicza performs at ALICE this March.