Where Can You Discover New Prague Based Musicians?
If you are looking for good music, Prague definitely won’t disappoint you. There are a lot of fantastic and talented musicians living here, but we have to put a little effort into discovering them. Prague still has some catching up to do compared to other metropolises when it comes to the music community network. Whether a musician yourself or an audience member, you can help Prague build its music network simply by going to gigs and engaging with people. Check out my selection of the best platforms where you can find Prague based musicians and live music in Prague.
1. Live music in Prague
Playing music is an emotional experience, just like listening to music. And arguably, the best way to have the energy flow both ways is to go to a live gig. There are many local bars and clubs in Prague with live concerts, open mics, and jams where we can let music unite us. Check out my pics to help you fill your week with music from Tuesday to Sunday and more.
Žižkovšiška
“An idea can come through here and become a reality,” says the creator of žižkovšiška, Gordon. “Some of the bands who play here met here, and now they’re producing together something of value. I feel very proud that I give people a place to meet. If it’s on an artistic level or even only boy-girl, this space can become the next stepping stone – step on my head, onto the clouds.”
🎤 Tuesday Open Mic Battle starts at 7 PM
🎤 Thursday Gastro Jazz starts at 8 PM
🎤 Sunday Soup Jam Session starts at 4:20 PM (members only)
📍 Husitská 11
Medium 43
“What’s peculiar about this jam is the instruments available, a lot of guitars, a piano and a bass,” says the Medium 43 event’s host, Alex. “It’s a very open environment for improvisation. The idea is to invite people to share their rhythms and melodies in a slightly controlled chaos 🙂 (PA system / speakers help with that)”
🎤 Wednesday Jam session starts at 5 PM
📍 Husitská 43
Coffice
“Everyone who comes to the jams means so much to me as we all share a happy time that music brings us,” shares Enrique Miguel, the host of Friday’s night Jam at Coffice. “Together, We make magical music without borders 🙂 no matter who you are or where you come, music brings our hearts close to each other every Friday night, Music is our drug 🙂 Our local musicians at all levels get the opportunity to share their feelings with their music as we are ‘live from Prague!!!… It’s Friday night jam!!!’”
🎤 Friday‘s Open mic Jam starts at 6 PM
📍 Malířská 14
Zkušebna plugnplay.cz
🎤 Saturday Jam/Open Mic Session starts at 5 PM (100Kč)
📍 Charvátova 1
Other Musical Venues to Keep an Eye on:
2. Online platforms with Prague based musicians’ music and profiles
But what if it isn’t possible to go to a bar? The pandemic by no means favored live music, but many musicians mobilized to create platforms for music lovers where we can discover new music through streaming performances. At the same time, there were already online platforms that offered tastings of unknown artists. Let’s have a look at some.
Sangwich Sessions
“The Prague musical community is weak when faced with something like a pandemic,” says Zack, the creator of Sangwich sessions, “Most people are live musicians; they don’t have anything they can put online, they don’t know how to stream a show, they don’t have any examples of their work… So I thought – ok, what’s the best thing I can do to help the community out? Let’s record people! And for every video I make, people get connected in new ways.”
As the lockdown finished, Zack’s focus is back on the live-action; however, you can browse through the recordings he did when going to a gig wasn’t an option. And you can read the full interview with Zack about the Sangwich Sessions here.
AVOID sessions
(A)VOID Floating Gallery is an art gallery on a boat at Náplavka. You can come here for author readings, theatre, films and obviously music! You can check out live music sessions filmed at (A)VOID on their YouTube channel:
Bandzone.cz
Bandzone.cz is the largest Czech online music platform. You can find profiles of more than 35,000 bands, MCs, and DJs here. Get to know the Czech club scene on Bandzone.cz:
GoOut
GoOut is a cultural guide to what’s happening in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, and Pilsen. It covers music, theatre, exhibitions, and more. Here, you can follow your friends, favorite artists, and venues and directly buy tickets to their events.
Radio 1
Radio 1 is a unique private radio station that maps a wide range of music that listeners can’t hear on any other radio station in Czechia. It began broadcasting after the fall of communism more than 30 years ago as the pirate radio station Stalin.
An integral part of the philosophy of Radio 1 is broadcasting without a playlist, a live contact with listeners throughout the day, and a constant cultural overview of events in Prague. To play it live, click on the right top button here.
3. Prague based musicians groups on Facebook
These groups serve as a meeting spot for musicians, artists, and their fans. You can learn there about upcoming events, plan jam sessions, find a new band member, buy or sell instruments, or simply engage in conversation. Check it out:
🎵 Prague Musicians
🎵 Musicians in Prague
🎵 Musicians in Prague
(You can’t get really inventive with the name of these groups, can you?)
🎵 Prague Musicians offering/seeking (musicians, gigs, instruments, etc…)
Engage with the Prague musicians’ community
“Well… I ask my friends,” – was usually the first reaction when I asked Prague people, both musicians and music fans, where they find inspiration and discover new music. To build a strong Prague music community and support those who didn’t yet have the capacity to be visible in any other way than live on stage, we need to spread the word and share with our friends.
To continue the chain reaction, let me recommend you to follow three local musicians and hear what they say about discovering new music in Prague.
Zack Slouka
“As a musician, it’s really hard to keep going sometimes. If you haven’t had an album or song in a while. Or if you had a big hit and then nothing for a long time, it starts fucking with your head. And it’s nice to have a community. And I think the Prague one could still use some work,” Zack explains what led him to create an online platform for recording live music performances during the pandemic.
Learn about the story behind his project, Sangwich Sessions, in this interview with him.
And make sure to check out his band Wet Knees.
Heyme Langbroek
How does Heyme connect within the music community? “It’s simple. I go to Zizkovsiska, meet everyone, jam with everyone, add them all as Facebook friends. 😃 Mission accomplished 😛,” he says and adds some tips on how we can contribute too, “Of course, don’t forget to click on their links to YouTube and such, and like all band pages and channels. Actually, listening and liking does great things for the musicians’ moods.”
Learn more about Heyme, a multi-instrumentalist, and master of improvisation and surrender to the unique vibes, cozy sax tones, and naked feelings in his tracks: interview with Heyme Langbroek.
Marley Wildthing
“Follow local musicians groups on Facebook, check local playlists, ask your friends for recommendations, and share great findings with them. Open links shared by friends from bands you don’t know, follow platforms that regularly post live sessions. But if the health situation allows, go to jam sessions, open mics, and little cafe concerts. Support the artists you like with your presence and interest 😊”
Marley is a Prague based singer and songwriter born in Austria. Learn how she got to make a living making music and where she gets her inspiration in this interview with her.
I hope this can start you off. Now, it’s your turn to go to gigs, click on links of unknown artists and ask your friends what’s on their playlists. Make sure you subscribe below to get a free e-book as a gift from me and won’t miss the upcoming “Prague-music-special” newsletter. Let me know if there are some venues or platforms that you consider essential, or worthy of mention or exploration. I’d be happy to add and share them. You can leave a comment or message me.
The following post on the blog is about trying new things in Prague, including a story of a rooftop bar you might not have visited yet. Make sure you don’t miss it by subscribing below and following my Facebook Page.
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