INmusic Breakthrough contest winners announced – Korka, Scarlet and I Hate Myself Because join INmusic Festival #18!

The audience from all over the world has cast their votes and selected the winners of the INmusic Breakthrough contest. Korka, Scarlet, and I Hate Myself Because will enrich the already impressive lineup of the anniversary edition celebrating 20 years of the INmusic Festival.

Korka is a loud five-member band from Kočani, North Macedonia, blending elements of dissonant 90s noise rock with the turbulent alternative rock scene. Their self-titled EP tells the dark story of antihero Risto through noisy riffs and intense vocals. The band’s sound is defined by raw energy, brutality, and thematic apathy reflecting the reality of today’s younger generation. With a strong DIY aesthetic, dark atmosphere, and lyrics ranging from absurd to socially engaged, Korka is emerging as one of the freshest voices on the Macedonian alternative scene.

Scarlet is a post-punk/alternative band from Burgas, Bulgaria, known for emotional lyrics, energetic performances, and a distinctive blend of post-punk, alternative rock, new wave, and electronic elements. Formed in 2023 by five friends, the band tells stories of their generation through music, focusing on personal experiences and emotions. Their sound combines melancholy and tenderness with dream-pop guitars and danceable rhythms, drawing influences from shoegaze, indie, and contemporary British post-punk. Over the past year, they performed across Bulgaria, including Station Street Fest and Buzludzha Fest. The band is currently working on their debut album, scheduled for release in June 2026.

I Hate Myself Because is a garage punk project by Ukrainian musician Maksym Semeniuk, who has also built a following on the Polish scene. Known for tracks like “I Don't Dance” and “I Feel Bad,” Maksym delivers energetic and emotional performances with eccentric vocals and raw guitars. His musical style features short, intense songs and unpredictable live energy. Since launching the project, I Hate Myself Because has surpassed 50 million streams on digital platforms and built an international audience, positioning the act as one of the most exciting emerging names in the European garage punk scene.

Korka, Scarlet, and I Hate Myself Because join the lineup of INmusic Festival #18 — an edition that also marks 20 years of the festival — alongside Gorillaz, Jack White, Kings of Leon, IDLES, The Flaming Lips, Manic Street Preachers, Jehnny Beth, Fat Dog, Sprints, KT Tunstall, Yonaka, Dry Cleaning and more.

INmusic Festival #18 will take place from 22 to 24 June 2026 at the Jarun islands in Zagreb. Three-day festival tickets are available via the official INmusic webshop for 139 EUR (+ transaction fees), while a limited number of single-day tickets are on sale for 99 EUR (+ transaction fees). Seven-day camping tickets are also available for 59 EUR (+ transaction fees) and are valid only with a three-day festival ticket.