©BratVegasSlovakia’s most anticipated summer music & culture festival, Pohoda, is coming up soon. Whilst not as big as festivals in the UK or even Szeged in Hungary or EXIT in Serbia, Pohoda isn’t trying to be. With the focus always on a wide diversity of cultural performances and global coverage, the organisers rarely fail to disappoint. Attendances normally range from 15,000-20,000 and most punters camp for the two night festival. It’s held on the Trenčin Airfields which at night is backed by the illuminated Trenčinsky Hrad. Cheap food and drink and plenty of scantily clad Slavs are the sideshows as a great time is had by all. With 8 stages running concurrently over the 2 nights, there’s always something to see. Tickets this year are at their most expensive of €59 for the 2 day “permanent” pass in advance, or €65 on the day.
Here’s our guide to some of the acts that have been announced...
©KlaxonsKlaxons (UK) – This London-based indie/punk/dance band will soon to be releasing another album on the back of their Mercury winning Myths of the Near Future from 2007. They’ve been sneaking their new tracks into their shows this year.
Patti Smith (USA) – Known as the godmother of punk, and is widely-respected for her political activism and immersion in non musical art forms. She has co-written with Bruce Springsteen and is a source of inspiration for most of today’s indie artists and bands. In 2008, she released a spoken word poetic tribute titled The Coral Sea. This is one not to be missed.
High Contrast (UK) – AKA Lincoln Barrett is one of today’s hardest working Drum and Bass producers and DJs. His remixing of Adele’s Hometown Glory was 2008’s highest selling dnb release. He will no doubt have the 02 tent heaving. We can’t wait.
Travis (UK) – Currently touring their Ode to J Smith release, which is their 6th album. This time around, Travis have apparently been reborn and are now re-energised as a rock band and their website claims this is their “loudest, edgiest and most arresting” release to date. It still sounds fairly introspective to me though, but the BratVegas crew are definitely curious on this one.
©Marta KubišovaMarta Kubišova (CZ) – One of the most iconic Czech artists, she gained notoriety with her release of Modlitba pro Martu (A Prayer for Marta) which protested against the Prague Spring of 1968. During this time she was prolific in writing over 200 songs against the regime before being exiled from Czechoslovakia after being falsely accused of crimes. Expect tears en-masse from her performance and rightly so.
The Whip (UK) – Based in Manchester, these guys will rock out with their electro beats. They’ll be making the crowd bounce for sure.
MSTRKRFT (Canada) – Is one of today’s hottest dance DJs also famous for remixes of today’s hottest rock and dance artists. It’s in the Ministry of Sound vein - accessible house and electro.
©Hurra TorpedoHurra Torpedo (NOR) – These are the guys who smash up domestic appliances to the beat of Total Eclipse of the Heart, whilst all wearing matching tracksuits. They will also do it to Where is my mind? by The Pixies. This will be hilarious.
The Ting Tings (UK) – Love ‘em or hate ‘em these one CD wonders will wow the audiences with there sugary, ultra catchy tracks. Bratvegas says: Pass!
For the full listing of this year’s acts to date check out http://www.pohodafestival.sk
