Druhá tráva performs at O2 universum in Prague
Czech band Druhá tráva performed a full but not sold-out anniversary concert at Prague’s O2 universum on November 7, 2026, celebrating their newest album Memphis alongside a career-spanning retrospective. Robert Křesťan sang and provided lyrics about love and death during the evening, which featured the live baptism of the new record.
The group traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, in February to record the album. The choice of Memphis symbolically distanced the band from its long-standing bluegrass and country label, rooting the project instead in the city’s rich blues, soul, and early rockabilly history. Memphis stands entirely outside those genres on the historical musical map, serving as the territory of bluesman B. B. King, the birthplace of soul linked with the Stax studio and label, and the epicenter of early rock and roll and rockabilly where innovative recordings by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash were made at Sun Studio long before Johnny Cash became a country icon. The band stayed there first in a rented house to prepare the songs before spending a few days in the recording studio under the supervision of producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Recording Memphis in Tennessee
Rather than relying on digital post-production or studio trickery, Ross-Spang favored an old-school recording approach. Dobro and lap steel player Luboš Novotný anchored the instrumental side of the record, delivering earthy blues figures that drive songs like the opening track “Chryzantéma.” Banjo player Luboš Malina performed on the album using a banjo loaned by Béla Fleck, while session veteran Al Gamble contributed Hammond organ tracks in Tennessee. While Křesťan remained the exclusive lyricist, he shared the musical composition of the nine tracks with his bandmates—banjo player Luboš Malina, bassist Tomáš Liška, and above all Luboš Novotný. Sound direction and production were entrusted to Matt Ross-Spang, a four-time Grammy Award winner who has collaborated with singer-songwriters Jason Isbell, Elvis Costello, and John Prinne, as well as the Czech band November 2nd. The relaxed, focused atmosphere is also documented in music videos by Linda Arbanová for the singles “Chryzantéma,” “Rebeka,” and “Stopy v písku,” which were filmed directly against the Memphis backdrops.
The resulting sound contrasts sharply with the band’s previous two records—Díl první (2020) and Díl druhý (2022)—which were produced by British sound designer Eddie Stevens and leaned heavily on electronic colors and studio layering.
Concert Performance in Prague
On stage at O2 universum, the traditional six-piece lineup expanded to seven musicians with the addition of guest Hammond organist Jan Kořínek, who played an entire set. Later in the evening, Dutch saxophonist Cyrille Oswald joined the ensemble.
Despite an unintended clicking noise that briefly surfaced while Křesťan introduced songs, the performance drew standing ovations from the seated audience.
Recording locations and producer details for albums
Where was the album Memphis recorded?
The band recorded the album in February in Memphis, Tennessee, working in a local studio under the supervision of producer Matt Ross-Spang.
Who produced the previous albums Díl první and Díl druhý?
British sound designer Eddie Stevens produced both Díl první and Díl druhý, utilizing extensive electronic post-production and layering.
Which guest musicians joined Druhá tráva on stage in Prague?
Hammond organist Jan Kořínek joined the band for the entire set, and Dutch saxophonist Cyrille Oswald made a guest appearance during the performance.