Pohoda (music festival)

:"The word "pohoda" means "relax" or "ease" in the Slovak and Czech languages."

infobox music festival
music_festival_name = Pohoda


caption = Current logo
location = flagicon|SVK Slovakia
* Trenčín (1997 - present)
**Trenčín city stadium (1997)
**"Pod Sokolicami" (1998-99)
**"Pod Sokolicami" and adjacent expo area (2000-2003)
**Trenčín Airport (2004-present)
years_active = 1997 - present
founders = Michal Kaščák
dates = Second half of July; 2 days
genre = many
website = [http://www.pohodafestival.sk/index.php?lang=en Official website]

Pohoda festival is an open-air summer music festival in Slovakia, first organized in 1997 in Trenčín. It is one of the biggest Slovak music events organized annually. The current venue is Trenčín Airport.

The festival features alternative music, rock, pop, dance music, world music, house, techno, drum and bass, hip hop, but also theatre, discussions, chamber music, dance and literature workshops.

The actual record-high attendance is 27,000 people/day from 2007.

History

1997

The first festival organized on 29 June 1997 was called "Kráľovská Pohoda". It took place at the Trenčín town stadium. About 2,000 people attended the event but only 140 tickets were sold. Four Slovak, three Czech and one Russian bands played there.

1998

The festival called "Dobre zvolená Pohoda" was organized on 5 September. The new location was "Pod Sokolicami" again in Trenčín, which hosted the event until 2003. The festival had two stages - main and dance. Musicians from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Finland attracted about 3,000 people.

1999

The event was significantly larger than the previous ones. It was held on 16 and 17 July, contained two stages and accompanying activities, such as tattooing and balloon rides. The first American band, Skulpey, performed at Pohoda. 8,000 people attended the festival each day.

2000

The festival organized on 21 and 22 July was significantly larger again. The venue was enlarged by the adjacent expo area. It contained four stages - main, dance 1 and 2 and rock and many accompanying activities and events. Notable performers included Bomfunk MC's and Propellerheads' Will White. 20,000 visitors were present each day.

2001

Organized on 20 and 21 July, the festival hosted 5 stages - main, rock/hip-hop, rock open-air, and 3 dance stages. Notable musicians included Fun Lovin' Criminals, and the event attracted 18,000 people each day.

2002

Seven stages offered a vast array of music genres on 19 and 20 July. Stereo MCs, Sneaker Pimps and Task Force were presented as headliners.

Attendance: 20,000/day

2003

The festival was organized on 18 and 19 July. Headliners included The Cardigans, Kosheen and Skatalites.

Attendance: 20,000/day

2004

The festival was moved to a new venue, Trenčín Airport and took place on 16 and 17 July. Notable musicians included Chumbawamba, Moloko, The Wailers, Asian Dub Foundation, and IAMX.

Attendance: 20,000/day

2005

Organized on 15 and 16 July, the even contained 6 stages and 2 arena theatres. Headliners included The Prodigy, Garbage, Asian Dub Foundation, Little Louie Vega, Klezmatics, Roots Manuva, and Macka B. The festival attracted a record number of visitors - 25,000/day.

2006

On July 14 and 15, the headliners and notable musicians included Coldcut, Pixies, The Frames, Danko Jones, Dizzee Rascal, Gogol Bordello, Natacha Atlas, and Stereo MCs.

Attendance: 22,000/day

2007

The festival took place on 20 and 21 July, and headliners included The Hives, Wu Tang Clan, Basement Jaxx, and Mando Diao.

The event had a record-high attendance with about 27,000 visitors each day. [ [http://www.pohodafestival.sk/in.php?lang=sk&page=news&id=517&
] ]

2008

The festival took place on July 18 and 19. Headliners for this year were Fatboy Slim, The Streets, Editors, Matthew Herbert Big Band, Unkle, Solomon Burke, Mnozil Brass, Richard Müller, and Lou Rhodes.Other notable musicians were Joan Baez, The Royal Choral Society and Percujove, the spanish percussion orchestra.

For the first time in the history of Pohoda Festival it has reached 30000+ visitors attendance.

External links and references

* [http://www.pohodafestival.sk/ Official website]

* [http://www.fotoreporty.sk/galeria/festivaly/album-40/31/] and [http://www.fotoreporty.sk/galeria/festivaly/album-41/31/] - Pohoda 2007
* [http://www.fotoreporty.sk/galeria/festivaly/album-39/31/ Pohoda 2006]
* [http://www.gregi.net/cms/show_article.php?idd=7003 Pohoda 2005]

Footnotes