Dubioza Kolektiv

Once upon a time (2003) in a dubious corner of the world and a land called Bosnia and Herzegovina, a group of friends decided to form a band. But this was no ordinary band, and they did not form under ordinary circumstances. True, along with local Balkan flavours, musical influences came from all over the world: ska, punk, reggae, electronic, hip-hop. Yet, there was no music industry, few concerts, and no space for cultural
or political expression among the new crop of plugged in youth. In fact, the entire region was reeling from a deep moral and economic post-war stagnation. It was from this environment that Dubioza Kolektiv was born, and not quietly, but kicking and screaming, presenting no-go topics front and centre, and demanding to be heard. In doing so, they created a phenomenon.

For a quick rundown of the band’s history, their self-entitled first album DUBIOZA KOLEKTIV was released in 2004, and was instantly met with an enthusiasm not seen on the Bosnian scene since pre-war times. Next came the EP OPEN WIDE, this time featuring dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Mush Khan from Fun-da-mental. Then came their second full-length CD DUBNAMITE and this is when their popularity began to spread beyond Bosnian borders. By 2008, with the release of FIRMA ILLEGAL, their bold and uncompromising stand against the nationalist establishment elevated them to fame across the entire Balkan region

Over the years, Dubioza Kolektiv became the biggest band in the Balkans, with sold out shows in venues with 12,000+ capacity in Zagreb, Belgrade, Ljubljana, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Sarajevo, Sofia, etc. Besides the Balkan region, they played sold out shows in USA, Canada, and all across Europe: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Budapest, Oslo, Prague, Vienna, Madrid, etc. The band also performed at major European festivals, such are Glastonbury, Roskilde, Lollapalooza, Boomtown Fair, Lowlands, Das Fest and so many more. They set the attendance record at Špancirfest and at the Exit Festival’s Fusion stage and played in front of half a million people at Pol’and’Rock Festival, where they
received Złoty Bączek award for the festival’s best international performance in 2018, voted by the audience.

They toured and continue touring tirelessly, having over 100 shows per year. Audiences across the world recognized them as a must see live act.