Iggy Pop to Receive “Man with the Golden Ear” Award at Soundedit

The godfather of punk rock, a music icon, and one of the most influential artists in history, Iggy Pop will receive the prestigious “Man with the Golden Ear” award. The ceremony will take place at the 18th edition of the Soundedit International Music Producers Festival in Łódź, Poland.

For over five decades, Iggy Pop has done what he does best: play his own way. As the lead singer of The Stooges, he helped define punk rock’s raw sound. 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 in global music.

“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. Bogdan Kondracki and Ziemowit Kosmowski were previously honoured. 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 October 23–27, 2026. The program will include concerts, a gala, workshops, and lectures. The festival will also include sessions on music production and new audio technologies. Three-day passes covering festival concerts and events cost 499 zł. Single-day tickets for select days are also available. For more information, visit: https://soundedit.pl/en/home/.