Brkovi returned to Zagreb’s Boogaloo on Friday, October 9, for the first night of their two-day Vikend Brkova u Zagrebu celebration, bringing their unmistakable fusion of punk aggression, Balkan folk melodies, and irreverent humour to a crowd ready for a full-throttle party. With their ninth studio album, Duga devetka, adding fresh material to an already extensive catalogue, the band demonstrated why they remain one of the most distinctive and enduring live attractions on the regional scene. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the audience’s enthusiastic response quickly transformed the venue into a celebration of everything that makes Brkovi such a singular musical phenomenon.
Musically, the band’s greatest strength lies in its ability to combine driving punk rhythms and muscular guitar riffs with instantly memorable melodies rooted in Balkan folk traditions. Frontman Shamso69 once again stood at the centre of the spectacle, delivering his characteristically provocative vocals with the irreverence, sarcasm, and theatrical flair that have become integral to Brkovi’s identity. The setlist brought together fan favourites such as “Moj prijatelj je postao žena”, “Ništa više mi ne značiš”, “Boli me”, “Balkan Star” and “Vještica i vila” demonstrating the enduring appeal of the band’s provocative songwriting and infectious hooks. The musicians provided a tight, energetic foundation, shifting effortlessly between punk-driven assaults and the folk-inspired rhythms that give the songs their distinctive character. Rather than relying on technical showmanship, Brkovi excelled through immediacy, strong arrangements, and an instinctive understanding of how to turn a concert into a collective experience.
The audience responded with remarkable enthusiasm, singing along, dancing, and embracing the band’s deliberately outrageous humour throughout the performance. The connection between the stage and the crowd was particularly impressive, reinforcing the sense that Brkovi’s concerts are as much about shared experience and release as they are about the music itself. Although their deliberately provocative approach can be divisive, the band’s ability to unite seemingly contrasting musical traditions into a coherent, high-energy sound remains one of its greatest achievements. The first night of Vikend Brkova u Zagrebu was therefore a resounding success, delivering an entertaining, uncompromising performance that left the crowd with plenty of reasons to return for the second evening.
Note: photographs from a private archive
