As music continues to transcend borders, cultural professionals are increasingly called upon to navigate the intersection of art, ethics, and politics. Opening the first edition of Music Week Poland, musician, activist and author Dave Randall will offer a powerful keynote on the political potential of music and its ability to inspire justice, solidarity, and systemic change.
Author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music — described as “a book of raves, riots and revolution” — Randall draws on decades of experience as a performer and campaigner to examine how music can empower communities, challenge injustice, and amplify resistance. He asks the urgent question:
How can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few?
His keynote will explore the role of artists and cultural institutions in confronting today’s political realities: how they can act ethically while protecting artistic freedom, and how to engage with difficult choices — such as whether to cancel a performance — without perpetuating exclusion or silencing dissenting voices.
This keynote will set the tone for the following panel discussion:
The Role of Artists and Cultural Institutions in Shaping Ethical Choices in a Politicised World, which will further explore the dilemmas and responsibilities faced by those working at the intersection of art and politics.
