Palicavonzvreca x Pohoda: Japanese–Slovak B2B set – Takaaki Itoh & The Outsiders at Pohoda 2026
Pohoda 2026 continues unveiling the special Palicavonzvreca x Pohoda project, which will bring a dedicated techno night from Friday into Saturday to Trenčín Airport during the festival’s 30th anniversary edition. The joint celebration of club culture will feature four exclusive B2B sets. The third announced pairing is Takaaki Itoh and The Outsiders.
11. March 2026
Their collaboration also recalls another important symbol of Slovakia’s electronic music history – the legendary Bratislava club U.Club. During the 1990s and the early 2000s, the venue played a key role in shaping the Slovak techno scene, and both DJs were among its regular guests.
In the early 90s techno hit Japan. Surprised and intrigued, Takaaki Itoh was impressed with this sound. This unique style of beats revealed the gateway to a world of underground music in Japan — something he had never heard before. Surprise slowly gave way to addiction when Itoh discovered artists such as Jeff Mills and Sven Väth. In 1994 he began organising his own techno parties in Japan and soon started producing his own tracks. After sending out several productions to labels, UK-based Electracom released his first record. From there, further releases followed and his tracks began appearing in DJ charts worldwide. Over the years, Itoh built a reputation as one of the most distinctive underground techno artists from Asia and has performed in more than fifty countries around the world.
Joining him behind the decks will be The Outsiders, the project of Bratislava-based DJ and producer Peter Strakoš, whom many still recognise under his original name DJ HU. He was part of the first wave of the Slovak techno scene and frequently performed at the legendary U.Club. His sound is characterised by energetic, dark techno with a raw industrial edge – often referred to as the “Bratislava sound.” As a producer he has released music on labels such as Planet Rhythm and Inceptive, and in 2002 he founded his own imprint Backstage Records.
Their B2B set will bring together two distinctive personalities of the underground techno scene, united by the history of Bratislava’s club culture and a shared passion for uncompromising dancefloor energy.
In the previous days we announced the pairings Regis & Loktibrada and James Ruskin & TOKY. Tomorrow we will reveal the final DJ duo that will complete the lineup of the Palicavonzvreca x Pohoda techno night.
Over three days (Thursday to Saturday), Pohoda 2026 will feature performances by Gorillaz, The Prodigy, Lykke Li, Denzel Curry, IDLES, Oliver Tree, Apashe & Brass Orchestra, Action Bronson, SHERELLE A/V Show, Kristie Kardio, and many more. For the first time in Pohoda’s history, there will also be a standalone Extra Day, featuring The Cure, The Twilight Sad, Just Mustard, and Denis Bango.
For Wednesday – The Cure Extra Day, it is possible to purchase a single-day ticket or combine the experience with the full festival by buying a 4-day pass, which is currently the most cost-effective way to enjoy Pohoda in its entirety. Pohoda Festival will take place on July 8 & July 9–11, 2026, at Trenčín Airport.