2024

No-street Busking at the Brno Music Marathon once again had much to offer in 2024!
Two hundred years had passed since the birth of Bedřich Smetana, and it was no coincidence that a stylised pub appeared in the centre of Brno, evoking the environment in which the famous composer grew up—a place where music blended with everyday life, the voices of regulars, and the clinking of glasses.

Next to the pub, a Ukrainian kitchen with an authentic oven was created in response to current world events, bringing into the festival themes of solidarity, hospitality, and cultural connection. Alongside music, visitors could enjoy freshly baked Ukrainian bread.   

The musical dramaturgy of that year focused on the accordion—an instrument that bridges the immediacy of street performance with the depth of tradition. Among those performing in the streets was Jiří Čevela, singer-songwriter and founding member of Circus Problem, whose musical journey began with a stolen accordion in Turkey and led from street busking to a life at the intersection of philosophy and circus. The band Vasilův Rubáš also shone with their distinctive humour and blend of accordion, guitar, and djembe, as did the energetic Swing Pigs with their “ten psychotropic strings.”   

A powerful atmosphere was created by Ptaszek & Bužma, who returned in their performance to the roots of American folk music, and by Mr. Popelino, who transformed an ordinary rubbish bin into a fully fledged musical instrument. Young performers Sofie and Luisa appeared alongside scout musician Vojtěch Kašpar, the fiery Jamadan with their thunderous African drums, the Ukrainian band of Anna Korienieva, Faz Olé, Sam Rychtár, and other scouts who brought a strong sense of community to the entire event.   In both the pub and the Ukrainian kitchen, past met present, Czech tradition met openness to the world—and music merged with everyday life.   

Performers: Jiří Čevela, Vasilův Rubáš, Swing Pigs, Obřany, Ptaczek & Bužma, Mr. Popelino, Sofie a Luisa, Vojtěch Kašpar, Jamadan, Anna Korienieva, Faz Olé, Sam Rychtár; Skauti