It is midnight and the Uprateka (Cleaning Party) afterparty following last year’s Pohoda culminates. Some people ask our office assistant Janka to play the piano and sing something. The group around her gradually grows until they fill the entry hall and the staircase of our office at the airport. Janka attempts to leave the piano but can’t resist the constant requests to play some more covers and her own compositions. The group around the piano are temporary workers, volunteers, fans of metal and techno music, and all of them are thrilled. The offer to perform at Pohoda 2018 is delivered at about half past one in the morning and so the first requested name of the upcoming edition is one of the most successful gospel bands in Slovak, Heartbeat.   → read more

She has written songs for pop stars like Cher, Christina Aguilera, and Rihanna, until she finally had a breakthrough with her superhit “Lost on you” in 2016, which became the fourth most searched song in Shazam after the summer of 2016. The video and live versions have nearly 300 million views on YouTube, and they were played nearly 100 million times on Spotify. You can enjoy her typical whistling, catchy tunes, tambourine, ukulele, and unmistakable voice at Pohoda 2018.   → read more

At the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Goethe Institute in Slovakia, we are preparing Goethe Nacht: a special treat within our festival club line-up dedicated to experimental electronica. The program will feature top names from German alternative scene. The first confirmed artist is a cult figure of Berlin IDM scene and co-founder of label Raster-Noton, Olaf Bender, performing under the stage name Byetone. We are in for top-class experimental minimal techno and impressive visual show. → read more

One band, four musicians, and three continents. The top musicians of the band Bukahara mix gypsy jazz, swing, and reggae with Balkan and Arab influences. In the digital era of today, they produce exclusively analogue music that most closely resembles the work of bands such as Beirut or Mumford and Sons. Bukahara, the new sensation of the German scene, will perform at Pohoda 2018. → read more

Prešov-based band Papyllon make music ranging between rock, pop, electronica and jazz. Towards the end of last summer, the band recorded their debut album in a rehearsal studio and DIY approach definitely paid off. Hudba.sk names the album a world-class piece and says: “Days and nights with pâté and bread rolls on the menu, the band recorded in impulsive premises of the old rehearsal studio, which brought unconventional massive sound.” Later in the article, the portal mentions this is a serious debut put together by mature musicians. In 15 weeks, Papyllon will be playing Pohoda 2018.   → read more

“Catastrofy, that’s kick-ass music with wit.” This is the Rockpalace portal’s spot-on description of an excellent thrash metal band from Devínska Nová Ves. Witty lyrics combined with more serious social themes are presented as a thoroughly oiled machine. Exceptionally fast drums and guitars are complemented with musical instruments such as fujara, Jew’s harp, tambourine or ozembuch on their debut album as well as on stage. What we appreciate in particular is that you can understand what vocalist Boris is singing. This way, Catastrofy will certainly make visitors at Pohoda 2018 move, laugh or can even scare them.     → read more

Due to bad weather conditions, we need to reschedule Concert for Ján and Martina in Košice for next week. The event will be taking place at the same location (Dolná brána) on Sunday, March 25th at 5 PM in the evening. This does not concern Concert for Ján and Martina in Nitra. See you tomorrow at Svätoplukovo námestie (Svätopluk Square) starting at 5 PM. → read more

The 10th edition of the Radio_Head Awards had Michal Kaščák receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. It was handed by Oliver Rehák of Denník N, who also noted that he and Juraj Kušnierik had been thinking of proposing Michal for this award, but then agreed that it would be ideal after the 20th edition of Pohoda. Oliver said: “He merits the award because Pohoda would be a completely different festival unless organised from the early beginning by a musician who does care about the country he lives in.” → read more

Teachers and students can purchase their tickets for Pohoda with a €20 discount, starting today and available until Teachersʼ Day (midnight of 28th March). A total of 300 three-day tickets for €79 will be sold with discount to valid ITIC, ISIC, and Euro <26 card holders. Two tickets maximum per one card can be purchased at this link: www.pohodafestival.sk/en/product/ticket-teachers-day → read more

On Sunday evening (March 18th 2018 at 5 PM), we are again organizing a concert to pay tribute to murdered journalist Ján Kuciak and his girlfriend, archeologist Martina Kušnírová. This time, we will meet at Svätoplukovo námestie (Svätopluk Square) in Nitra and Dolná brána on Košice’s Main Street. Two days later, on Tuesday, March 20th, Konvergencie Festival team is organizing a Concert for Ján and Martina in Bratislava.   → read more