Emma-Jean Thackray will unite musical worlds at Pohoda 2026
An exceptional name that connects the worlds of jazz, grunge, funk, and pop is being added to the Pohoda 2026 lineup. Emma-Jean Thackray – a British multi-instrumentalist, producer, and author with a strong signature style – will bring her world full of emotion, experimentation, and joyful musical freedom to the Trenčín airport.
20. November 2025
In recent years, Thackray has established herself as one of the most interesting British artists. She has collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra, performed at the Glastonbury Festival, won the Jazz FM Awards Album of the Year for her debut Yellow, and later won the UK Jazz Act of the Year title. On her 2025 album Weirdo, she played all the instruments, wrote all the songs, and recorded all the music herself.
According to The Guardian, she is a "crossover star" who can combine genres in a way that feels both natural and daring at the same time. Her work philosophy is based on complete creative freedom – she composes, plays, arranges, records, and produces herself, while on stage she acts as an energetic force that draws the audience into the action.
Her first album, Yellow (2021), caught the attention of critics with its openness and playfulness. They described the recording as a sonic space where spiritual jazz dances side by side with funk, psychedelia, and genres that don't usually go hand in hand.
Her second album, Weirdo (2025), is even more personal. On it, Thackray explores themes of identity, isolation, neurodivergence, and grief. It was created in her London apartment, where she recorded every instrument and vocal part herself. The album earned another wave of recognition for its courage and emotional power. It also features two notable collaborations: Reggie Watts on the track Black Hole and Kassa Overall on the song It’s Okay.
“I stumbled upon Emma through my Spotify algorithm a few years ago when I was listening to Shabaka Hutchings and his various projects a lot. Her debut album Yellow completely blew me away. She has a very interesting and powerful voice, which I only later associated with a face and discovered that she is a prominent rising star on the contemporary UK jazz scene. Since then, I've been telling Mišo that we simply have to have her at Pohoda. Her second album, Weirdo, speaks to my soul in the same way, and I thank Mišo for this gift for my 30th birthday," says Paula Poštolková from the Pohoda team, looking forward to her performance.
Emma-Jean Thackray creates a space in which music can act as a healing force. This is also reflected in her own approach – for her, music is a way of naming the world around her and within her. She does not shy away from dark themes, but she never dwells on them. Her concerts are vibrant, colorful, and fully connected with the audience. Thackray brings music that embraces and provokes, but above all, opens the door to a world where energy is as important as sensitivity.
We believe that Emma-Jean Thackray's concert at the 30th edition of Pohoda festival will be one of those moments we will return to for a long time to come.
In addition to Emma-Jean Thackray, Gorillaz, IDLES, Baxter Dury, SOFT PLAY, Native James, Para, Gleb, Turtle Island, and others will perform at the 30th edition of Pohoda Festival. For the first time this year, we have added an Extra Day to the three days of the Pohoda festival, on which the legendary The Cure, The Twilight Sad, Just Mustard, and Denis Bango, will play on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. You have the option to purchase a 4-day ticket (festival + The Cure), a 3-day ticket (Thursday–Saturday), or extend your 3-day ticket to include Extra Day. All information and tickets can be found at this link.