A heady brew in Kácov

Reaching out as a veritable multicultural melting pot of global and home-grown domestic talent, the 10th installment of Sazavafest looks set to be the most bracing yet. Now regarded as the second-biggest outdoor music festival in the Czech Republic, its headliners this year include Papa Roach, Chumbawamba, Alec Empire, Dog Eat Dog and the Leningrad Cowboys.

As always with events like this, what to see is mostly a matter of taste. And individual bands can be hit-or-miss. But if you make the trip, it's certainly worth checking out some of the less obvious choices.

Take Che Sudaka, for example. As a five-piece made up of immigrants from Argentina and Colombia, they learned their trade busking in Barcelona's Old Town. Stirring up a lively alternative Latin mix of ska, punk and reggae with lyrics focused on social politics and immigration, they're not unlike other Spanish acts such as Ska P and Fermin Muguruza.

"This is the sort of music that we started to do in the streets of Barcelona," says vocalist/guitarist Leo, who came up with the idea of calling the band's 2003 debut album Trippi Town, after the Plaza del Trippi, where they all met. Continual touring has helped broaden the group's exposure, and their second album, Alerta Bihotza (2005), proved to be a real belter, with Radio Bamba bassist Gambeat helping with production.

Last year's appearance at Womad in England was a high point for the group. "It was one of the best experiences for us, because we had the honor of meeting Peter Gabriel," enthuses Leo. "He's one of the best musicians in the world, and he saw our show. The audience was also amazing. It was raining pretty hard, but the crowd stayed around to watch us."

Live, Che Sudaka bounce and leap about the stage like there's no tomorrow - or maybe no yesterday. This will be their third visit to the Czech Republic. As for what to expect this time, Leo says, "There's always a lot of heart, soul and energy onstage. We just love what we do."

Also with feet firmly entrenched in social politics, Leeds-based Chumbawamba never seems to be far from the Czech lands. From throwing a bucket of water over former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for refusing to support striking Liverpool dockers to declaring war on homophobia and racism, Chumbawamba have never been afraid to upset people with their hardline polemics. They've even prepared an album called Margaret Thatcher: In Memoriam, which will be released on the day of her death.

Since forming 25 years ago, the group has gone through a lot of sound transitions, from agit-pop and anarchic punk to techno and, more recently, folk.

"We are happy with what we are now, but we will change," says guitarist Boff, before cautioning, "It's best to see us now, because you might not like the next thing we come up with. We have to change soon, somehow, just for the sake of it - just to be bloody-minded. There's nothing worse than seeing a band and knowing exactly what to expect every year. Music has to change and challenge; otherwise, it becomes cabaret and show business."

Unlike in the United Kingdom, where Chumbawamba is still known as the "I Get Knocked Down" band, expectations are different here.

"I understand that people think we only have one song, and I don't mind that," Boff says, "I like the song ["Tubthumping"], and at least people have heard us. But the people who know us in the Czech Republic and have seen us live there know that we are bigger and more interesting than one song on MTV."

As for what to expect at Sazavafest, Boff says, "We'll be playing new stuff and some old stuff, though not "Tubthumping," because it doesn't work acoustically. We want to talk to the audience, too, to laugh with them and to connect with them. We'll sing a cappella. And we'll sing about the world around us, both good and bad." 

Ivan Kral, the Tata Bojs and Ewa Farna represent some of the best Czech talent at the festival, though Jiří Macháček and his MIG 21 commandos should not be missed, either.

"I'm enjoying playing more and more," enthuses actor/writer/musician Macháček, "It's a drug; you can't stop using it."

Asked what the band will be playing at Sazavafest, Macháček says, "I have no idea, as we are developing some new songs. The decision will be made on the way to the festival."

Will "Snadné je žít" be on the playlist?

"Of course!" confirms Macháček, "You can't imagine our band without that!"

James Scanlon can be reached at
features@praguepost.com