The Szegedi Ifjúsági Napok (Days of the Youth of Szeged, also known as SZIN) is probably Hungary’s oldest, still existing musical festival. It dates back to ‘68. 1968, an Olympic year. The times of youth protest in the West and political relief behind the iron curtain. The year when some British musicians decided to gang up for some good tunes. (Btw, later they became known as Deep Purple and Queen.) And nobody had heard of Woodstock when we already had our SZIN.
After a short break of stormy times it revived in 2003. The eclectic last-minute program sketch demonstrates that in the past 8 years the SZIN-organizers could not really decide, whether they wanted a show of Hungarian underground artists, a nostalgic festival for the older generations (think of last year’s Scooter, or Edda in 2011), or a clone of Hungary’s leading festival. Guys, less is more, really!
August 24-28.
I am happy to announce that my favourites from 2010 return to Szeged in August. N.O.H.A. (Noise of Human Art), the ~German world-d’n’b band will sing again of the little girl, who doesn’t want to wear pyjamas, give you advice on how t drink your coffee (con caña, por supuesto, as it’s the best mixed with a beer). Yeah, I know you’ve got the flavour! ;)
Folk and much more
The Hungarian fusional / world music selection is quite rich this year. Besh o Drom (Gipsy&Balcanic roots), Csík Zenekar (Hungarian melodies), Balkán Fanatic (electronic hip-hop mixed with world music), Szabó Balázs Band (folk funky), György Ferenczi and the Rackajam ( funny folk blues) and the Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestar (paso ska) will surely make you dance all night.
Instead of world known celebrities, we get some real delicacies, Made in Hungary! Don’t miss out on Óriás, one of the best Hungarian indie-pop bands. They are the giants! Or listen to my recently endeared favos, the Intimtorna Illegál (an offspring of the Kistehén Tánczenekar). Those who sing about bicycles can make the craziest parties – says the eternal law. Let’s see!
Summer, sunshine, beach * ♥
This is just a small (but worthy) slice of the 2011 performers. Announced late as always, lacking big international names. But this is not why we are attached to the Szegedi Ifjúsági Napok. It is the last open-air festival of the year – when the days are still hot, the nights somewhat chilly. The students gather all their energy to throw a grand party on the bank of the Tisza river before the new semester begins. The sweet memories of the concerts and the everlasting movie nights in the swimming pool give them force to survive until the next festival.
We like them because they try to be as ecological as posible… We like it for the dawns on the river side, when you cannot decide whether to go home or have another beer for breakfast. We are fond of it cuz we see all the Hungarian bands that we like & we are looking forward to catch one concert here and there during the year - and you don't even have to walk miles to get from one band to the other! We like them for their little clandestine surprises. And because it’s the big local “flat party”, where you meet your mates from kindergarten, your former teachers and your boss’ daughter. We are all a big family after all, aren’t we! =P
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Read more about the program or check details on www.szin.org
