(Almost) everything in Fryderyki was for something. It’s nice and safe this year

There were only a few references to the war in Ukraine on Friday evening. Tomasz Organek appeared in a T-shirt with the Ukrainian flag and the inscription “Russian warship, go f ** k yourself!”, And at the end of the song “Walcz” he shouted “Putin, idi na c ** j!”. The second slogan of the last weeks, “Slava Ukraini”, was spoken by the head of the Creators for Ukraine project, who thanked ZAIKS for supporting Ukrainian artists. Anna Skrobiszewska, widow of Grzegorz Ciechowski, declared that the Golden Fryderyk, which she collected together with the members of the Republika, will be sent to a charity auction to support aid activities for Ukraine. At the end, Skrobiszewska quoted the “Arctic” song by the Republic, exclaiming: “Siberia will lose!”. Thus, the subject of war in Fryderyki would be practically enough.

Zawiałow ready to cut her Fryderyk

Among the artists performing on the stage of Netto Arena, Mrozu did a great job, performing the retropopic, melodic piece “Złoto” in the company of a large band, including violinists. The best proof of how easily “Gold” is catchy were the moments when entire groups of the audience leaving the gala sounded like the refrain: “I give you my word, everything was for something …”. A great show was given by Ralph Kaminski, who had the opportunity to present a fraction of the “Kora” project to a wide television audience, awarded with Fryderyk for the album of the year: poetry and literary song. Kaminski, who thinks totally about his work, taking care of every sonic and visual detail, was a sure winner in the Artist of the Year category – and definitely a deserved one.

Daria Zawiałow, the artist of the year, opened the main part of the gala with the song “Metropolis”. After the December concert at Warsaw’s Torwar, closing the “Wars and Nights” tour, I have no doubt that Daria will consistently remind us why it was she who took the golden statuette home – and she had a serious competition. “I should cut this Fryderyk and divide it between all of us” – Zawiałow said about Kaśka Sochacka, Mery Spolsky, sanah and Young Leosia.

The fans of the latter were unhappy. Initially, it was announced that Young Leosia would perform at the gala with Malik Montana. The rapper’s name quickly disappeared from the program, but Leosia stayed – and her nickname was consistently stamped in the party’s commercials. It ended with the fact that we could hear the girl from Szczecin only in copies with nominations. A pity – “Szklanki” live on TVN would be something. Due to an accident during rehearsals, T. Love did not perform either. Besides – the plan was implemented.

The organizers invited to present themselves at the gala, first of all, artists associated with the scenes of Mêski Grania (or, if you prefer, with the male playcore trend). We didn’t hear “And You, Too”, the song of the year, but Vito Bambino enlivened the audience with a sober declaration that it is interesting how important and emotional the song was created as part of a beer advertisement. However, it cannot be ignored that the Fryderyk team made a timid attempt to get out of the bubble. So the jazz saxophonist Sylwester Ostrowski played with the band, who played against the grain of the host’s assurances that jazz is soothing music. The legendary punk rock group Dezerter or Szczyl, a representative of fresh blood on the Polish hip-hop scene, played with Piotr Rogucki.

It is a pity that the colorful band Dagadana did not perform in Netto Arena, that there was no stronger emphasis on electronic music, that the producer of the year Hania Rani did not give a piano show of the year, that there was no room for hip-hop apart from Szczyl. On the other hand, it is difficult to expect that the event, sponsored by the giants of the mainstream, will be able to fully reflect the reality of the flourishing young Polish scene. Not these awards, not this time.

One of the biggest musical surprises was a performance that wasn’t shown on TV or online. During the break between the two parts of the ceremony, the audience was entertained by the French-Polish band Storo and Piotr Kupicha in a rock incarnation. I didn’t think that words like this would ever come out of my fingers, but… it was a really convincing incarnation. A natural showman appeared in the vocalist of the band Feel – there was a good pace, runs around the stage, jumps, calls to the audience, and a good rock vocal at the same time. I do not know what the current career status of Feel is, but if it was stopped by Piotr Kupicha for the development of this side of his personality, all that remains is to keep your fingers crossed, even if the angel-voice label will not be easy to tear off.

Better this than nothing

I am still amazed by the ideas of the Phonographic Academy related to throwing Polish music into specific drawers. This year my favorite is definitely “album of the year: music roots / blues”. Roots music is a term used in the United States to jump right and left in the context of songs combining folk, rock, country and blues influences. So it does not have much to do with our folk music – and these are the sounds that dominate the list proposed by the Phonographic Academy. The band Tulia, specializing in white singing, the group Dagadana drawing on the folklore of Poland and Ukraine, and the monumental project Miuosh with the Song and Dance Ensemble “Śląsk”, or “Songs of the modern day”, were placed in front of Jarecki’s album “Totem”, dripping with soul and funk , inspired by the nature of Wojtek Mazolewski’s album “Yugen”. Agreed – “Root Music” is an umbrella term, but this Polish umbrella does not seem to work completely.

Going further: we have nothing to complain about in Poland about the wealth of young (and not only young) rock bands as well as metal bands that are also successful abroad. Meanwhile, the Academy decided to honor these musicians with a common category, “rock / metal album of the year”, and rather thoughtlessly nominate one metal group for four rock ones. In the hip-hop category it won popularity without a doubt – I will never agree that “Young Matczak” is a better album than “NOTHING” Sokoła or “Polska Florida” Szczyla (and I think everything has already been said about Gracjan Roztocki).

Once again, r & b / soul artists were completely ignored and the refreshing situation of last year’s “album of the year: r & b / soul / gospel” category was abandoned. My guess, however, was that Bartek Królik and Rosalie had not released new albums in recent months. and Paulina Przybysz, probably the only artists from this trend that the Academy has on radar. Well, maybe next year …

The Golden Fryderyk for lifetime achievement this time went to the eminent jazzman Henryk Miśkiewicz, members of the Republika and Jacek “Budyń” Szymkiewicz, who was awarded the award posthumously. The leader of the band Pogodno, a versatile poet who stayed away from the mainstream, died suddenly on April 12. In simple, well-chosen words, he was paid tribute by Brodka and Zalewski, one of the many artists on whom Pudding had a great influence. Brodka emphasized that if it were not for the Pudding, there would be no “Grandy”. In turn, Krzysztof Zalewski, who was friends with Szymkiewicz, noted that Budyń no longer needed this award. It can be useful, for example, to listeners who have not dealt with Budyń’s music. – I envy all those who don’t know him yet. I envy you the revelations that await you – said Zalewski, preceding the most touching moment of the evening.

On behalf of Budyń, the award was collected by his family: wife Anna, daughter Jagoda and son Jakub. – Szczecin was very important in my father’s life. Here he met my mother, I was born here – said Jagoda Szymkiewicz. – Dad’s specialty was speaking. Sometimes he was even doing too well and he was able to talk too much. I do not know what to say. I am very proud of my dad, I have always been, I am and I will always be.