MENT Ljubljana has established itself as one of the most important platforms for the discovery of new sounds in the Balkans, the CEE region and beyond. It serves as a meeting point for artists, music professionals and music lovers, primarily dedicated to promoting emerging talent, with an emphasis on underrepresented European music scenes, fostering creativity and facilitating networking opportunities within the independent music industry. The 12th edition marks the most curatorially adventurous edition to date, featuring 79 artists from 26 countries and welcoming more than 600 international and local music professionals. 

The 2026 lineup features the Palestinian duo spearheading the rebirth of Arab hip-hop, Shabjdeed & Al Nather, cutting-edge AV show by aya x MFO, based on her critically acclaimed album Hexed, American experimental punk-rap duo Ho99o9, experimental dub-dance trio Holy Tongue, master percussionist Valentina Magaletti, pixie-pop trailblazer Min Taka, Flemish crooner Milan W. and many more. The electronic music section of the festival, CE/MENT, brings sets from Skee Mask, Polygonia, Rey Colino, Olgica, Hermeneia, Lottie & Lerro, MMali b2b Obscur and others.

The MENT Conference returns on February 19th and 20th at Kino Šiška and M Hotel, bringing together artists, curators, and innovators. Expect interviews, roundtables, mentorships, as well as receptions, networking and listening sessions.

Don’t miss the interviews with one of the most versatile percussionists working today, Valentina Magaletti, a member of Moin, Holy Tongue and numerous other projects, as well as an in-demand collaborator of artists like Nicolas Jaar, Thurston Moore, Bat for Lashes, and others; Mo Dafa, who curates the programme at the iconic London venue for contemporary music, Cafe OTO; the founder of the Le Guess Who? festival, Bob van Heur; the Amsterdam-based DJ and head of the label Kalahari Oyster Cult and the distribution platform One Eye Witness, Rey Colino; and the acclaimed light, video, and scenography artist working in the field of experimental electronic music, Marcel Weber (MFO).

Conference guests include Shawn Reynaldo (First Floor), Deniz Everling (Bandcamp), Darek Mazzone (KEXP, SAMA), David Arias (Primavera Sound), Filip Koštalek (Colours of Ostrava), Oskar Štrajn (ESNS), Luca Jacob (WOMEX), Cecilie Kragesteen Eickworth (Roskilde Festival), Eleanor McGuinness (Earth Agency, UK), Jess Kinn (ROAM, UK) and many others.

Discover the full lineup with the MENT 2026 playlist.

Grab your ticket here.