Zagreb Is a Must-Visit Place for Any Music Geek This Summer
If you’re planning a trip to Zagreb this summer, it would be a shame not to seize this opportunity to treat yourself to one of many concerts that take place during those hot three months in Croatia’s capital. If you’re a millennial like myself, then you’ll really appreciate all artists that decided to come to Zagreb this year because there’s really something for everyone. No matter what kind of musical genre you prefer, I guarantee you’ll be able to find at least one concert that is right up your alley.
For the last couple of years, Zagreb quietly became one of Europe’s epicenters for musical geeks who are always on the hunt for great new bands, artists, and unique concert experiences. Since Summer festivals are a big hit in whole Europe, Croatia followed the trend and its capital has turned into a melting pot for every genre possible. Even though small in size, Zagreb has a lot to offer to its citizens and tourists regarding concerts. For the longest time, people thought of Zagreb as an empty and vast city during summer months because most Zagrebians like to head out to Adriatic coast during July and August. But during the last decade, Zagreb really transformed itself into a new musical hotspot and now summer is equally appealing period for tourists as any other time of the year. Being positioned on a touristic map of Europe certainly helped Zagreb to attract some new artists, as well. That’s why visiting Zagreb during summer might be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
Kaleidoscope of music
Even though summer doesn’t officially start until 21st of June, most people pretend the first day of June is when summer blasts through the doors. Keeping that in mind, one of the first concerts I recommend you to see in Zagreb is the one organized by industrial metal band – Ministry. This will be their first concert in Zagreb and they’ll perform on 7th of June in Tvornica Kulture (Culture Factory). If you’re already their fan, then you should know by now they were originally a new wave synthpop band, but later changed its style to become one of the pioneers of industrial metal in the mid-1980s.
Two days after that, music audience in Zagreb has a chance to enjoy another precedent since Kai Alce, an extraordinary house music artist, will perform for the first time in Croatia’s capital, as well. Since he was born in New York, grew up in Detroit, lived in Chicago, and in the early 90s he moved to Atlanta, I think it’s safe to say he built himself as a house artist in all of America’s top places of house music. It's worth buying this ticket even though you might not be a fan because it will be a truly special experience and, who knows, you just might like the genre.
A few days later, you should head out back to Tvornica Kulture because Brooklyn’s dream pop group, Cigarettes After Sex, will perform there on 13th of June, followed by another treat for metal fans just three days later – Mastodon concert (16th June). Don’t be surprised that so many of Zagreb’s concerts are occurring in that same place. It’s not because there aren’t any other places – it’s because Tvornica Kulture is one of the strongholds of Zagreb’s music scene. As someone who's been there numerous times, I think anyone should see for themselves just how great concerts there are because it will give you an amazing insight into the pulse of the city and relationship that Zagreb has with music.
The other popular place for summer concerts in Zagreb is Šalata at Upper Town which is also the place where Prophets Of Rage, American rap rock supergroup, will perform on 26th of June. Just day after, at the same place, different band and, personally, one of the highlights of my summer, British rock band - The Cult and their first concert in Zagreb in the last eight years. I’m a big fan of open air concerts and since I couldn’t make it to their last concert eight years ago, I can’t wait to see them live now. My love for them started when I was still in high school, but throughout the years, it only grew stronger so I’m definitely recommending you to check them out if you have a chance this June in Zagreb.
Image Credit: Pexels.com
The second part of the summer in Zagreb, July and August, is the time of the year when most people travel and go on vacations so if you’re doubting whether you should include Zagreb during your Eurotrip this year – the answer is “Absolutely yes”. Listen up, all-girl dream pop band from Los Angeles – Warpaint will be performing at Tvornica Kulture on 12th of July during their Heads Up tour. Take your hipster friends as well – they’ll love this kind of music.
Also, the next day, reward your ears with wonderful music from Ryan Adams who is performing live in Zagreb for the first time at (you guessed it!) – Tvornica Kulture. A month later, club Močvara (meaning swamp) will host The Dillinger Escape Plan – mathcore band from New Jersey who were supposed to come to Zagreb back in February, but one of their band members was in a car accident so they had to cancel their tour. Luckily, everything turned out fine and the band decided to proceed with their tour. They’ll stop along the way in Zagreb which is great news since this tour is their farewell from the fans. They’ve decided to disband once this tour finishes.
You can finish your Summer with a bang in Zagreb and catch up The Kills concert on 19th August. The Kills are one of the most prominent indie rock bands in the last two decades and are a part of the new generation of rock bands. They are combining lo-fi sound with blues and classic garage rock, but that will come as no surprise to their fans who know The Kills are very inspired by music from The Clash, Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Velvet Underground.
Zagreb’s has Coachella too – It’s called InMusic Fesitval
If you’re more of a festival-type of a person, fear not – Zagreb has something for you, as well. InMusic Festival is an annual music festival held at Jarun lake located on the west side of the city and it’s by far the biggest open air festival in Croatia. It’s usually held for two or three days at the beginning of the summer and, for many Zagrebians, it's actually the official start of this season. Many popular and renowned musical artists performed at the festival from 2006, when it was first held, until today: Franz Ferdinand, Morrissey, Sonic Youth, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Prodigy, XX, Moby, Lily Allen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alice in Chains, Billy Idol, Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Arcade Fire, Mando Diao, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Pixies etc. As you can see, it has very various lineup and everyone can find something for themselves among the musicians who perform. This year, you can enjoy concerts from Kasabian, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Alt-J, Flogging Molly and many others, including some local bands that you shouldn’t miss because it would be a shame not to listen to really good Croatian bands.
Image Credit: Julien Duval, INmusic festival
Obviously, even though music is the main point of this kind of festivals, there’s more to it. To truly understand the whole experience, I suggest you gather your friends and go camping at Jarun during all three days of the festival. Festivals are all about meeting new people, discovering new music, enjoying nature, trying some local food delights and going back home with lots of unforgettable memories. A big plus is that your Instagram will be on fire with all those selfies from the festival, especially since Jarun offers so many great photo session locations.
Long story short, there’s a great summer ahead of everyone of us who finds himself or herself in Zagreb this summer. I’m immensely excited, what about you?
Header Image Credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Goran Vranic
Author: Paula Bracko