Just over 100 days before MENT, we’re taking over Šiška for šMENT – an almost-festival for everyone who simply can’t wait until February.
One Friday, two stages and five bands: Scottish wunderkind corto.alto lands in Slovenia for the first time with a new Ninja Tune record, bringing his groove-heavy collision of contemporary jazz, hip-hop and electronics, while Svemirko delivers that sweet dose of regional nostalgia, somewhere between synth-pop and dancefloor-ready indie.
Nejc Pipp & Co. are lining up a bunch of premieres from their upcoming album, Zina and her band will present her emotionally charged singer-songwriter debut Queen of Hearts, and to top it all off, we’re looking forward to one of the first public shows by IDZ – a pocket-sized post-punk outfit taking aim at urban architecture with a surprisingly playful edge.
corto.alto
corto.alto, a Mercury Prize nominee and one of the most exciting new voices in UK jazz, is coming to Ljubljana for the very first time with an explosive live show blending jazz, hip-hop, soul and electronic music.
The Glasgow-born composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer has earned widespread acclaim through his releases on Ninja Tune, winning over audiences and tastemakers alike, including legendary BBC radio host Gilles Peterson, who described him a child of Hiatus Kaiyote and Masters at Work.
“The Scottish musician redefining jazz for a new generation.”
The National
His debut album Bad With Names was shortlisted for the iconic Mercury Prize (2024) and won ‘Best Album’ at the Scottish Jazz Awards. In 2025, he won ‘Act Of The Year’ at the Jazz FM Awards public vote.
Now signed to Ninja Tune, he released “SOME SMALL FORTUNE” in the start of September. His music is not just a reflection of his time spent as part of the burgeoning and fertile music scene in Glasgow, but equally an eclectic mix of influences that draw as much on his affinity with club-culture and electronic Music, as well as his love of classic hip-hop, soul and funk. Over the last two years, the band played over 150 shows, including festivals such as Glastonbury, We Out Here, Latitute, North Sea, Montreux and Cross The Tracks.
Svemirko
One of the defining bands of its generation and one of the most important names on the ex-Yu alternative scene is returning to Šiška! Svemirko announces their first show at Šiška since their sold-out concert in 2021.
Blending indie rock, synth-pop and retro sensibilities with an irresistible Adriatic charm, Svemirko has shown that auteur pop in a native language can become a regional phenomenon without sacrificing its weirdness along the way. The band’s unforgettable trilogy of albums, Vanilija, Tunguzija and Skalamerija, has taken them from smaller clubs to a string of sold-out shows from Ljubljana to Skopje. But frontman Marko Vuković and company are already working on a new chapter – their latest tracks, “Po tijelu”, “Ja te vodim do dna” and “Nokturnalne aktivnosti”, are just the first in a string of releases from their upcoming new album.
The band is coming to šMENT with a bunch of exclusives and old favourites, delivered with that unmistakable Svemirko aura.
Nejc Pipp & Co.
Slovenian singer, songwriter and producer Nejc Pipp moves effortlessly between R&B, electronic, jazz and ambient music in his intimate pop expression. In his atmospheric songs, built around prominent melodies and tight beats, Pipp takes us through his inner landscapes, resonating with emotional depth. He made a splash on the local scene with his sophomore album Entropy, self-released in 2024. Music critics describe his music as a raw gem, marked by moving and sincere lyrics, unexpectedly mature for such a young artist. The first single from his upcoming third album, announced for 2027, is set to be released before his performance at šMENT, where he will also premiere multiple new songs.
ZINA
Hailing from Slovenian Istria, Zina Ban is a young singer-songwriter and a sensitive soul with a strong stage presence. Her music moves fluidly between intimate folk and indie vibes, while retaining a sense of rawness as its guiding principle. Through her music, she opens a door into her inner world, offering glimpses into how she processes life. With honest lyrics and emotive vocals, she strives to leave no one untouched. For Zina, to love is to live – in other words, it is always worth betting on love. This is beautifully reflected in her brand-new debut album Queen of Hearts, a collection of songs about the different forms of love. At šMENT, she will present it live with a five-piece band.
IDZ
A critique of urban architecture, disguised as pocket-sized post-punk! IDZ is an up-and-coming young urbanist-musician trio who play at local playground openings, public hearings on spatial plans, and construction sites. With a direct, at times noisy post-punk aesthetic, they tackle the issues we discuss on the streets and buses: where will we park today, and where will we sleep tomorrow? Why are so many people driving alone in their cars? And when will we finally be able to swim in the Ljubljanica?
Tickets already on sale.
Organisation: MENT Ljubljana/Kino Šiška
