With its roots firmly planted in electronic music culture, it’s no surprise that MAYDAY Poland has become one of the largest and most prestigious events of its kind in the country. The vibes, the energy, and the pure love of the music make it a must-attend event for any electronic music enthusiast. MAYDAY Poland has been bringing the beats to Katowice Spodek since 2000 and this electronic music event draws in top performers from all over Europe and thousands of passionate fans looking to be swept away by the music. It’s more than just a festival, it’s a lifestyle, and the focus is always on the extraordinary spirit that brings everyone together.
Joining the Mayday Poland team back in 2001, wysiwyg user Michael Dobek started off as a technician. It wasn’t until 2009 that he began creating projects for the event, while simultaneously helping with its implementation. Tomek Dyrkacz, the mastermind behind Mayday’s entire technical setup, was Michal’s mentor throughout the process – without his guidance, this epic party would never have looked the same. Altogether, Michal has designed 15 projects for the festival, including 14 for the Polish edition and one for its German counterpart.
“Innovation has always been at the heart of this event. From the earliest days, cutting-edge technologies have been deployed to spectacular effect. I recall a towering spider that loomed over the crowd back in 2001 – a truly unforgettable sight. As the years have rolled by, new ideas have continued to surface, each one more mind-blowing than the last. Some of these innovations have been simple yet effective, while others were more elaborate, but they all had one thing in common: an atmosphere of pure excitement.” – Michael Dobek
Every year, the Mayday project comes to fruition with creativity and innovation that seems to never end. The vision initially formed at the beginning of the year, morphs, and molds until it reaches its full potential in October. From there, the real work begins – preparing for implementation. Enthusiastic programmers, skilled graphic designers, and masterful laser technicians collaborate to construct a virtual reality experience unlike any other. Together, they bring to life a project that’s more than just a display – it’s an experience and wysiwyg has been used each year.
“As a lighting designer, I’ve always aimed for visually stunning setups, especially for the cult techno party, Mayday Poland. The pressure to improve each year has been high, with the focus on graphic design that adapts to the DJ’s persona. In the past, programming for moving elements above people was a challenge. However, using wysiwyg’s helpful functions, including video programming, has made designing such events a breeze. With each passing year, new features are added to the software, making event designing – even for non-electronic music festivals – much more efficient.” – Michael Dobek
Michal’s work with Mayday Poland has ended for now after the 2022 installment. His passion and dedication to the project earned him respect from all those involved and shone through in the final product. While this was unfortunately his last installment, Michal will always love and cherish what he accomplished here, and he hopes to one day return to this place; where it all started so many years ago. We have no idea what the future holds, but we hope that whatever it is – it brings Michal’s spirit back to this festival in due time.
Michal is a longstanding wysiwyg user and trailblazer in the Polish entertainment industry, with a track record that goes beyond Mayday Poland. He’s lent his talent to the Sunrise Festival and High League shows, proving his ability to think creatively and evolve as an artist. His journey reminds us of the power of dedication and passion, and we’re honored to hear his story.
Thank you, Michal, for sharing your insights on your work with Mayday Poland and the rich history that surrounds it.