This year, Budapest Ritmo, which has grown into one of the most important international music gathering in the area, for the tenth time welcomes both ardent enthusiasts and those who are only discovering the genre. The House of Music Hungary offers free daycase or daytime showcase concert, in addition to preoffessional programmes. From Anatolia to Amsterdam, from Southern Italian pizzica to Indonesian psych groove, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Akvarium Klub on April 11 and 12.
1. Goca Dünya – Altın Gün
Goca Dünya delivers the mood you never knew you needed. Existential musings paired with delightful dissonant spacey, groovy sounds. Hop in the spaceship and enjoy the revival of Turkish synthpop from the Dutch 5-piece band!
2. Carried Away – Michelle Gurevich
Characteristically melancholy sounds and moody, nostalgia-filled lyrics from the Canadian diva herself. Michelle Gurevich is the perfect match for ruminating above a glass of wine. You don’t wanna miss out on her!
3. Látod, rózsám – MORDÁI
MORDÁI always delivers, whether on film or on stage. Smokey vocals and grabbing guitar strums, experimental melody and an almost cinematic sound, all supported by the foundation of a Hungarian folk song.
4. Carry Your Kin – The Breath
A pebble gleaming in an opaque pond, making waves: Carry Your Kin is a simple take on the depths of human connection that resonates long. Ríoghnach Connolly’s voice glistens, soft yet betraying power, accompanied by a steadfast guitar. Fragmented lines fall into place to submerge again in the tide.
5. Öröklét – Szabó Balázs Bandája x Lakatos Mónika
Man and woman, birth and death – the circular flow of Eternity navigates deep waters. The lines and husky voice of Balázs Szabó is compounded by Mónika Lakatos’s mesmerizing tone. Like a river that carries and encapsulates the listener, and the great themes of life.
6. Run – Las Lloronas
Loping right to your ear, Run by the Brussels duo displays their uncomplicated, instantly effective charm. A mix of slam and folk, their velvety voices, pure harmonies and playful instrumentation bring home messages of beauty and brave vulnerability.
7. Djanger – Nusantara Beat
The perfect song to kick off a concert or a nighttime adventure, Djanger hints at the whole toolkit of Nusantara Beat in under a minute. Charmed gongs, a stagey intro, fuzzy guitar invite in vocals that play on the verge of vintage and immediate. Dreamy, strange and danceable, the Amsterdam Sextet are one of Ritmo’s cult favourites.
8. Bella ci dormi – Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino
On the lyrical side of a band known for their frenzied pizzica, Bella ci dormi still oozes the sweeping passion of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino. The popular ballad hints at the pull of this music, best experienced in full swing, live at Ritmo.
9. Mbwa Mwitu – FÜLÜ
Basses resonating in the deep and brasses never seem to weigh down the music of French electrobass formation, FÜLÜ’s music. Don’t let the surprising look and unexpected masks scare you away, find your next favourite bop with their fresh sounds!
10. Father Father – Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers
From a funk-manufacturing one man army, Arp Frique found The Perpetual Singers and together they fully brought home the disco vibes, funk elements and modern sounds making it impossible to not start tapping your feet – at the very least.
