Aldous Harding NZ
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Singer-songwriter Aldous Harding is one of the most fascinating voices in contemporary alternative music. She often seems as if several performers live within her – at times ethereal, other times dark, and sometimes playful. Her live performances are the reason she is regarded as one of the most original performers in modern indie folk. We are thrilled that we’ll experience the magic of her songs at Pohoda 2026.
Aldous Harding was introduced to music as a child through her mother, folk singer Lorine Harding. However, it wasn’t until she played as a street musician in the small town of Geraldine that her real breakthrough happened. It was there that singer Anika Moa noticed her talent, and after hearing her perform outside the local bakery, Moa not only threw some coins into her hat but also offered her a slot as the opening act for one of her concerts.
“If I had to pick one artist for the 30th edition, it would be Aldous Harding. I have a very personal connection to her music; it has somehow cast a spell on me :). That’s why I’ve been trying to get her on Pohoda ever since I discovered her. There’s a strength in her fragility, akin to The Prodigy, the depth of Nick Cave or PJ Harvey, all wrapped up in tenderness, playfulness, and extraordinary creativity. She has long avoided the big performances, and I’m excited we’ve managed to secure her for 2026,” says Pohoda Festival director Michal Kaščák.
Aldous Harding’s music began to take shape through her close collaboration with producer John Parish, known for his long-term partnership with PJ Harvey. Parish produced three of her key, highly acclaimed albums – Party (2017), Designer (2019), and Warm Chris (2022) – and played a significant role in the shift from the dark, minimalist folk of her debut Aldous Harding (2014) to a more atmospheric and experimental sound.
One of her notable collaborations was with American musician Perfume Genius, who performed at Pohoda in 2023. In their joint track “No Front Teeth,” released earlier this year, they also shared an engaging music video directed by renowned American director and visual artist Cody Critcheloe.
Live, Aldous Harding is an utterly unique experience. Her concerts are hypnotic – her facial expressions, gestures, and voice constantly shifting from delicate fragility to strange, almost inhuman registers. It is her live performances that have earned her the reputation of being one of the most original performers in contemporary indie folk.
“Aldous Harding is love! Brilliant in her simplicity and musical perfection. Her performance at Pohoda will be pure joy, and a bit of a celebration of oddity. I’ve secretly hoped for years that Michal would announce her name – after Sleaford Mods and Perfume Genius, with whom she collaborated, it seemed almost inevitable. I’m beyond excited! And I can’t thank the Pohoda dream team enough,” says Lucia Paulík Dubná, former member of the Pohoda Festival team.