Movits!, Princess Nokia, Para, and other news of Pohoda 2017
Pohoda will, after four years, host Swedish electro-swing-hip-hop band Movits! We will also have the increasingly popular hip-hop and R&B artist, Princess Nokia, from New York City. The line-up has grown by several Slovak names, such as Billy Barman, Katarzia, and Hudba z Marsu. Today, we are adding Para, Slobodná Európa, Saténové ruky, and many others. Pohoda will also feature new stages—the Ticketportal Stage for Slovak artists and a space for alternative electronic music called the Laug-Techno-Bau Klub. The speciality of Pohoda 2017 will include several unique projects. Bolo nás jedenásť and Pohoda 97 will grow by Pohoda 21. We are proud that three exceptional composers of contemporary music will compose each a new piece for Pohoda. This project will be first introduced at the 21st edition of the festival: each of the pieces should be 7 minutes long, which sums up to 21 minutes; two composers are from Slovakia and one from the Czech Republic, so the ratio is 2:1. It is a great honour to have works by Godár, Kofroň, and Burlas all premiered at the festival; the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Marián Lejava. This combination promises an extraordinary experience.
17. May 2017
Movits!
Movits! became popular in 2008 with their debut album Äppelknyckarjazz. They drove Pohoda wild already in 2012. Now they are coming with even more swinging grooves from their latest album “Dom försökte begrava oss, dom visste inte att vi var frön” (translated as: They tried to bury us, but they did not know we were seeds). “Language really was not a barrier that night; Movits! do sound like a party, clean and simple. And party does not need any translation. This proves that their Swedish hip-hop swing is a truly universal language”, Consequence of Sound reported on the bandʼs show.
Princess Nokia
Born Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, Princess Nokia is a young hip-hop and R&B artist from New York City. At her beginnings, she performed as Wavy Spice, and later called herself Destiny. A breakthrough in her career came last year, when, thanks to songs such as “Tomboy”, “Kitana”, and “Brujas”, she won many fans and has received millions of views on YouTube and Spotify. Her song “Brujas” was also praised by Pitchfork, which wrote: “It’s a rare track that is dizzying not only because of its actual sonic power, but because its take on genealogy, legacy, and expression feels empowering and free”. Noisey described her as “a hustler, a charismatic spirit, and someone who plays no games. She did whatever the fuck she wanted, however the fuck she wanted. The best part was that, more times than not, it worked in her favor”.
Slobodná Európa
Besides the great British punk names Slaves and Sleaford Mods, we will also have Slovak cult punk-rock band Slobodná Európa. The authors of the hits such as “Podvod”, “Unavený a zničený”, and “Analýza dokázala hovno” have been amusing the audience for nearly three decades. A month ago, they released their vinyl debut “Pakáreň”. Currently they do not give many concerts, so we are very excited to have them play at the 21st edition of Pohoda.
Ľudové Mladistvá
The Ľudové Mladistvá project brings together elements of folklore, jazz, and classical and modern energetic music. Within less than a year of their cooperation, these young top musicians were awarded The Discovery of the Year Award at Radio_Head Awards, International Winner Jazz Fruits, and 3 awards at New Faces of Slovak Jazz.
Ticketportal Stage
There will be a new stage at Pohoda called Ticketportal Stage. The local events ticket vendor will offer there a space for local (Slovak and Czech) artists. In addition to the newer announced names such as 52 Hertz Whale, Zuzana Mikulcová, and Tolstoys, popular bands Saténové ruky and Para will perform here, too, the latter one after a one year break. In an interview for Ráno na eFeMku radio programme, Matúš Vallo of Para said that the main themes of their songs are love, friendship, and politics. This is proved in their double single with songs “Linda” and “Žiadne slová, iba činy.” You can make the waiting for their seventh album shorter at Pohoda. Nvmeri are the bridge among fans of electronic and guitar music. The smart pop formation of Pišta Kráľovič, Pavel Javorník, and Miro Tuchyňa is another local project with a significant export potential. Smart pop music will be “balanced” with the primitive rock delivered by Saténové ruky. They defined so themselves, while it would be hard to find better lyrics at the current scene. Their debut album “Bozkávam” won two awards at Radio_Head Awards in the Debut of the Year and the Album of the Year (Critics Award) category. What is characteristic for the post-rock Bratislava band 52 HERTZ WHALE, apart from the 90ʼs guitars, is melancholic singing and melodies. A graduate of the Prague Conservatory and student of the Academy of Performing Arts, Zuzana Mikulcová, brings together Slovak lyrics with pop-soul, elements of jazz, and electronic music. With her band, she released the debut album “Slová” and performed as Lise Simone's opening act in the Slovak Radio.
The SLSP Space Arena will host Milos & Skank (Leporelo), who are the organisers of the Leporelo events in Slovak clubs and the creators of the Leporelo_FM programme on Rádio_FM, celebrating 10 years this year. Romanian-Hungarian-Roma band Szászcsávási will make NAY Dance House dance with their virtuous and spirited performance of folk songs. A fusion of electro ethno music with deep bass and psychedelic sounds combined with an Indian sitar will be performed by Slovak Juju Planet Dub (Jozef Hnidzik).
Friday's night on Europe Stage will be concluded with Panáčikʼs show. With his decadent touch, striking vocals, and eightiesʼ electronic arrangements, and especially with his unusual performances, he keeps winning fans through YouTube videos. Saturday afternoon in the same tent will belong to the top violoncellist Jožko Lupták and friends, who will play works by Bartók and Varga. Pohoda will also have the project “Prelúdia a Piesne” (Preludes and Songs) by producer and vibraphonist Stroon. In the first part of the concert, he will play various preludes from his album “Solar Preludes” and the second half will contain his work “Songs of Concealed Amplitude” (contemplation for chamber ensemble, electronics, and soprano). The Rudavský&Solovic: Beyond Invisible project will add some more classic music to Pohoda. It is a connection between the visual animated world of Ondrej Rudavský and the musical poem for string quartet and electronic track by Slavo Solovic. On Saturday afternoon, we will travel back to the 17th and 18th century thanks to the Old Music ensemble Solamente Naturali.
The big bunch of new names is concluded with the list of artists to perform in the new space for alternative electronic music named Laug-Techno-Bau Klub. They were again selected by Adam Dekan and Matwe Kaščák: Sine Ray (DE/SK), Sky to Speak (CZ), Tittingur (SK), Casi Cada Minuto (SK), AC/Boys (AT), Új Bála (HU), PSJ (CZ), Disco Møreti (CZ). Grafofón (performance of Boris Vitázek, Zuzana Sabová, and Milan Adamčiak), Jack Jack (SK), Barcode DJs (SK), Subact (AT), Schwefelgelb (DE), FlexFab (CH), and Asebest (SK). There will be some more electronic music announced later.
Some more news of Pohoda 2017
At the beginning of the week, we launched sale of tickets for Pohoda suburban transport. This project will connect the airport with towns and villages in Trenčín region. Apart from Považská Bystrica, Trenčianske Teplice, and Piešťany, we are adding the route to Bánovce nad Bebravou. We will soon launch special train ticket sale as well. The special festival express train will be dispatched from two biggest cities. Soon we will be publishing news about Visual Stage, Family Park, Garáž, debating tents, theatre, dance, and comfort services at Pohoda 2017. Just a quick reminder: tickets for a discounted price of €89 will be only available until the end of this week (22 May).
Some more announced names
In this year's line-up, prominent female artists stand out. Pohoda will have the honour to welcome the fresh Grammy winner Solange Knowles, M.I.A. (the best British artist of the year according to NME), British keyboardist with a beautiful voice Birdy, synth-pop Austra, and German-Brazilian singer Dillon. Other stars of the festival are Mercury Prize winners alt-J and Benjamin Clementine, musical comedy duo Ylvis, guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela, Jake Bugg, Future Islands, Boys Noize Live, Squarepusher. Fans of punk will enjoy Slaves, Idles, and Sleaford Mods.
We will also have a number of legends such as Thurston Moore, Mark Lanegan, Slowdive and The Jesus and Mary Chain. All of them have new albums that have received great reviews. Other legends will appear with their side projects such as Geoff Barrow of Portishead with band BEAK> and the frontman of dEUS Tom Barman with band TaxiWars. The speciality of this edition are local and foreign projects such as Bolo nás jedenásť, Pohoda 97, Pohoda 21, Peter a Lucia, London Elektricity Big Band, Beardyman's Masters of Distraction.
We currently have 100 confirmed names from 28 countries, and many more are coming.
We are looking forward to see you on 6—8 July 2017
For Pohoda team, Anton Repka