The godfather of punk rock, music icon, one of the most influential artists in history, Iggy Pop will be awarded the prestigious Man with the Golden Ear Award at this year’s edition of the Soundedit International Music Producers Festival in Łódź, Poland.
For over five decades, Iggy Pop has been doing what he does best: playing his own way. As the lead singer of The Stooges, he helped define the raw sound of punk rock. In his solo career, he has created songs that have become permanent fixtures in the musical canon. His collaboration with David Bowie and subsequent projects with leading artists have cemented his status as one of the most charismatic figures on the global music scene.
The Man with the Golden Ear Award is an honour bestowed upon creators who boldly reshape the face of music: producers, sound engineers, and artists who pioneer new sonic directions. Iggy Pop will receive it for his exceptional expressiveness, artistic uncompromising spirit, and immense influence on the history of recording.
Reflecting on the announcement, Maciej Werk, director of Soundedit Festival, said: “This is a historic moment for us. After all, we’re talking about a man who defined the raw essence of punk both in the studio and on stage. His collaboration with David Bowie has become an absolute classic of music production. By awarding him the Man with the Golden Ear, we’re paying tribute to a giant whose legacy resonates perfectly with this year’s other honorees: Bogdan Kondracki and Ziemowit Kosmowski. Each of them, in their own way, proves that what matters most in music is one’s own inimitable style.”
Iggy Pop is the third honoree announced for this year’s festival, with Bogdan Kondracki and Ziemowit Kosmowski announced previously. Bogdan Kondracki is a highly regarded music producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sound engineer. His body of work includes more than fifty albums by Polish artists, including Dawid Podsiadło, Brodka, Kortez, and Sanah. Ziemowit Kosmowski, frontman of the bands Brak and Rendez-Vous, is one of the most important figures in Łódź’s punk and new wave scene. For decades, his work has combined musical rebellion with independence and a unique style. Three winners, three different musical journeys. What unites them is their courage in exploring new sounds and the unmistakable character of their work.
The Man with the Golden Ear Award has been presented since 2009 at the Soundedit International Music Producers Festival in Łódź. Past recipients include Brian Eno, Sir George Martin, John Cale, Daniel Lanois, Tony Visconti, Grzegorz Ciechowski, and Wojciech Waglewski.
The 18th edition of the festival will take place from 23rd to 27th October 2026. The programme will include concerts, a gala, workshops, and lectures. There will also be sessions focused on music production and new audio technologies.
You can find more of our Soundedit coverage at RAMzine.
