The autumn season of the Urbofon Live programme traditionally opens with the visiting Rock&Off tour. This platform actively invests in the development of Croatia's music scene, giving performers the opportunity to move beyond their local circles, reach new audiences and build live performance experience across the country. This is precisely why Rock&Off holds a special place on the regional cultural map: as a meeting point for musicians, audiences and the idea that the most important things on the scene are still born from a genuine need to create.
This year, following appearances in a number of cities across Croatia, Zadar will welcome on 19 September the artists nominated in the "Big Bang of the Year" category at the eighth edition of the Rock&Off Music Journalism Awards. The bands are Smrdljivi Martini and Gradske Bitange, each representing the new generation of Croatia's alternative music scene in their own way.
The story of Zagreb band Smrdljivi Martini began in 2021 in school classrooms and at Superval rehearsals, a platform that has brought a much-needed breath of fresh air and a dose of youthful boldness to Croatian rock. They quickly moved from garages and festivals for high-school bands to established stages, building a name for themselves along the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkhvJJjxkwM&list=RDrkhvJJjxkwM&start_radio=1
Last year, they released the album “Rhaphigaster nebulosa” (the Latin name for the stink bug) which drew praise from audiences and music professionals from the moment it was released. Glowing reviews from music critics followed, while official recognition came with the Rock&Off Award in the Big Bang of the Year category and a Porin nomination for New Artist of the Year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ccllxmM3bQ&list=RD9ccllxmM3bQ&start_radio=1
They have already clocked up an impressive number of live appearances across Croatia and the region. They have regularly performed on club and festival stages including Zagreb Beer Fest, Mudri Brk Festival, Pine Fest, Zlarin Street Music Festival, KSET on Krk, RockLive and many others, as well as in numerous clubs throughout Croatia and at regional shows in Belgrade (URMUS) and Sarajevo (AG Club).
The band consists of Lovro Urlić (guitar, vocals), Zvonimir Curiš (guitar), Noa Klemenčić (bass, vocals) and Nikola Andrašić (drums, vocals).
Gradske Bitange are an original rock band from Valpovo, formed in 2018. They have released four singles and their debut album “Grad”. They already have a considerable number of live performances behind them, including appearances at INmusic, Superval, Rockstrikcija, Rock Live, Dubrovnik Music Week and the SHIP Festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVUDBo8CYI&list=RDrXVUDBo8CYI&start_radio=1
Their sound blends new wave, indie and alternative rock. The band members are Domagoj Ivić (vocals and guitar), Mislav Sušić (vocals and lead guitar), Noa Bolkovac (bass guitar) and Matko Varžić (drums).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYo8cwvcbY&list=RDwiYo8cwvcbY&start_radio=1
The concert by Smrdljivi Martini and Gradske Bitange, as part of the Rock&Off tour, will take place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Providur's Palace on 19 September starting at 9 pm. Admission is free, and the concert is organised in cooperation with the Croatian Music Association - Unison.
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