Pohoda Shows Some Solidarity

Pohoda chief Michal Kašcák described how the crowd was particularly moved when the orchestra played “The Great Gate of Kiev,” the final movement of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition.”

“It’s next door and we wanted to show some support,” Kašcák told Pollstar. Russian influence in Ukraine has been causing unrest in the country, and in the last three months has brought it to the brink of civil war.

Another highlight of this year’s Pohoda was a visit from local ice hockey hero Marian Gaborik, right winger for the Stanley Cup-winning Los Angeles Kings.

Gaborik’s from Trencín, where Pohoda is staged, and was in his home city to show off the cup. He also brought it to the festival when showing up to catch Seasick Steve.

Although the crowd was about 1,000 down on its usual 30,000 per day, Kašcák said it didn’t cause any financial concerns.

The acts keeping Pohoda among the foremost central European festivals July 10-12 included Kraftwerk, Tricky, Suede, Disclosure, Mogwai, and Azealia Banks.