This year's Polsat Hit Festival it's in full swing. On May 24 and 25, 2024, the biggest stars of the Polish music industry will perform on the stage of the Forest Opera in Sopot. One of Saturday's concerts will feature artists who made their debut on Polsat years ago. Krzysztof Zalewski started his career on the show “Idol”, broadcast by the station. We managed to talk to him before the rehearsal and ask him about the beginnings as well as what's coming up. Watch the video!
Weronika Figiel, Interia: We are a few hours before your performance at the Forest Opera in Sopot. You will perform at a unique concert to celebrate your debut on Polsat. Do you remember your beginnings?
Krzysztof Zalewski: – Not really.
You perform a song that premiered recently. Are you nervous about presenting it to your audience for the first time?
– I didn't think about it, but now that you say it, I'll definitely be nervous now. There is one chord that requires you to put your finger in one place on the fretboard and when I recorded it in the studio, I could hold the guitar high and there was no problem, but here on stage it turns out that it is a bit out of tune for me, and I am there for half a number alone with the guitar. But there's still a few hours, so I'll practice in the hotel room.
Do such concerts – television festivals – differ much from your regular concerts dedicated to your fans?
– They differ significantly, but at my concerts… This is the most important part of my life, at least professionally, these are the concerts where I can meet you. I spend a lot of time writing these songs, writing the lyrics, rehearsing, recording in the studio. But in fact, they are only certain and sound the way they are supposed to sound when I perform them at concerts and we can sing them together. There is this exchange of energy. It's a bit different on TV because people are further away. This is not my audience either, just the audience that comes to see other artists. There is more emphasis on presenting yourself in this small glass than in front of people. However, we still play live music and there is some common point. When will you forget about this fear that… “oh Jesus, more people will be watching us here than usual”, thanks to the magic of television, the emotions are the same and we get carried away by the music. I hope that today we will also succeed and we will convey some sincere emotions.
You recently changed your image – it was for a music video for a new song. It is a kind of rap manifesto. Does music nowadays require this type of movement to promote it in a radical way? Or was it something you felt you needed to do and that's why you recorded the song that way?
– I had quite short hair, so let's face it – it's not a big sacrifice. The first time I shaved my head bald, my hair was waist-length, so it was something then. But it wasn't calculated. It's a very strong song, so I thought we needed a strong video. Some kind of strong statement would be useful for this. Visually, it works like a crazy guy talking about his life, a little too honestly, and shaving his head for the camera. I thought it might be good, but it wasn't by calculation “what to do to make it click now”. I think the song itself has power. Especially nowadays, where there are few – especially in the mainstream – songs that talk so honestly about emotions. Rather, everything is moderated and in such a way that it does not irritate anyone. Radios like music that goes in one ear and out the other, so that it doesn't interfere with washing dishes, conversations at the family table, or other such everyday activities. I think we all need a snap like that every once in a while. Music is not only supposed to make our time more pleasant and be in the background. Music is very important to me and has saved my life many times. Sometimes such difficult emotions are easier to experience thanks to music, entering difficult emotions together with the author. Then it is easier to experience them, throw them away and move on. I think this track – because it's honest – does the job. A moment later the song came on “Love”, which is more for people. However, it is also incredibly honest and painful in some way. I think you will also appreciate this charge of honesty and will be with me at the concerts.
You announced your upcoming tour. Can you already reveal what we can expect from her?
– We will definitely play the entire new album and we will definitely play a lot of old songs. We are playing in large places, there will be a huge production, we will probably invite some guests. These concerts require a large setting. But it is also the case that we can play long concerts with surprises in these places, so in addition to the entire, or most of, the new album, you will definitely hear all the songs you know and, I hope, like.