BAZANT POHODA 2008 / 18-19.07.2008 / AIRPORT TRENCIN, SLOVAKIA - The fact that Bažant Pohoda Festival brings together very famous artist and those who are just starting their careers is valid for the Slovak and Czech musical scene as well.

We (organizers) regard the planned performance of Richard Müller as absolutely unique. Richard Müller will perform at the festival for the first time and his performance will have a festive atmosphere as he will launch his brand new album, under the production of Oskar Rózsa, who will put together the concert version as well. The album and the concert will be dedicated to Jaro Filip, who cooperated with Richard very closely. We will witness an interesting exchange of songs on the album with another artist close to Jaro Filip – Milan Lasica, who has promised to attend the festival as well. After a few years of discussions the performance of Richard Müller will become a reality and together with Richard we are very much looking forward to it!

Tomáš Sloboda (ex Le Payaco) will have his concert premiere at the festival with his guitar project Sounds Like This. As always you will be able to enjoy bands such as Para and Tata Bojs, Jana Kirschner will perform in a cozier ambiance after last years´ mega show. Polemic, who will celebrate their 20th anniversary, won’t be missing of course!

Bažant Pohoda always brings new names from our scene, this time with a truly broad cover. We will introduce a great band from Banská Bystrica – Sto Múch (100 Flies), and of the same region dreamy Nové Mapy (New Maps). Žilina will be represented by guitar Swan Bride and electronical Amphibios, Uniques from Košice will perform, The Infants from Modra Harmónia, or for a longer time playing Blue Sundown from Trnava. Behind the name of Bratislava band Hugo D Gen we can find Kamil Grebeň from Vidiek. The host town of Trenčín will be represented by female duo You Coco.

Rockers will surely be pleased by the performance of legendary Fermata with their leader Fero Griglák. Alternative rockers will like Pražský výběr 2 (Prague Choice 2) with phenomenal Michael Kocáb, Karpatské chrbáty (Carpathian backs) with the fantastic Braňo Jobus, or Czech guitar band The Prostitutes.

Fans of dance music can look forward to Puding pani Elvisovej (Mrs. Elvis´ Pudding), Veneer, hip-hop formation Modré hory (Blue Mountains), or various DJs. Sets will be played by Toky, Tibor Holoda, Junior, Leporelo DJs, Boss, Gabanna, Galagha, Tambor Project, Kubo, Inso and L Plus + Mc Coppa. They will be complemented by 4 Elements DJs, Kinet a Magálová, and Jah Division Sound Systim. Two new discoveries on the Czech electronic scene will be introduced: Midilidi (Midipoeple) and Cartonnage. The electronic Longital – in the present our main music export article - will not be missing as well.

Performances of some artist are directly linked to the festival cinema. This is the case of Dorota Nvotová, who starred in movie Muzika (Music), or the specific blues band ZVA 12-28, which has worked on the soundtrack to movie Tajnosti (Secrets). Iva Bittová starred in the later and will perform at the festival together with Laco Troppa, Emil Viklický and George Mráz introducing their project Moravian Gems. (Note: Movies Tajnosti (Secrets) and Muzika (Music) will be performed in the festival cinema).

The festival, as usual, opens its doors for genres not exactly typical for this type of event. Classical music will be strongly represented. After last year’s phenomenal success we will once again welcome the Opera of the Slovak National Theater in a joint performance with the fantastic London Royal Choral Society. The concert will be conducted by the Trenčín born Oliver Dohányi.

Contemporary classical music will be represented by Veni Ensemble. Works of Béla Bártok and his own will be performed by Marián Varga in cooperation with various top classical musicians. A choice from the work of Karol Pádivý, who has lived in Trenčín for the most part of his life, and would celebrate his 100th birthday this year, will be performed by Ostrava´s Májovák Orchestra.

Bratislava guitar quartet or Duo Cordefiato will be present. Composer Marek Piaček will introduce his project Voice over noise. An interesting combination of classical virtuosos Boris Lenka and Jozef Lupták with gypsy musicians will bring the afterPhurikane Giľa project. An extremely interesting mix of non-classical music and musical alternative will be performed by Mandelbrotovy kostičky (Mandelbrot’s Cubes) lead by the charismatic Ester Kočičková. Fusion of jazz, tango and improvisations will be brought by Peter Breiner and his project Triango.

Two large vocal ensembles will be present as well – female quartet Yellow sisters from Prague and church choir Ad Una Corda from Pezinok. Hot jazz in many variations will be presented by Funny Fellows and Swing Society Orchestra.

The Dance House (Tanečný dom) will be the home of folklore ensembles. Such as Ľudová hudba Miša Nogu (Mišo Noga´s Folklore Music), Brezina, Zuberec, or the dance performance of Dragúni. Salsa will be enjoyed together with Mango Salseros band.

Concert of the biggest legend of the Czech underground The Plastic People of The Universe will have an extraordinary flavor. They have performed at the festival a few times already, this year it will be special as Václav Havel, the unofficial member of the band, will attend the festival as well. We will see if these old friends meet on stage, or not. Apart from the Plastics another important band from the 80´s will be present – Ještě jsme se nedohodli (We´re not agreed yet) from Brno.

Detailed updated information about the festival can be found at www.pohodafestival.sk .

(Bažant Pohoda; illustration photo: Bazant Pohoda 2007)