The TrutnOFF festival will return to Trutnov from August 13 to 16, featuring the first appearance of the band Lucie. This year’s event is dedicated to the late Václav Havel, marking what would have been his 90th birthday, according to reports from trutnovinky.cz and festival organizers.
Lucie Makes Debut with Potential New Premiere
Band Lucie will perform at TrutnOFF for the first time, a move organizer Martin Věchet describes as the “connection of the seemingly unconnected” via trutnovinky.cz. Věchet noted that while the festival is 42 years old and Lucie recently turned 40, the timing for their collaboration aligned after the departure of David Koller from the group.
The band may premiere a new song written specifically for the event. Organizers describe the track as a “shamanic message” that blends underground influences with elements of a “Slavic Woodstock,” including shamanic drums, fire, and the moon.
Did you know? Robert Kodym, co-founder of Lucie, says the band’s name was inspired by the Beatles’ song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” symbolizing light and joy in the face of darkness, according to budejovice.rozhlas.cz.
Diverse Lineup Across Rock, Punk, and World Music
The musical program spans multiple genres, including underground, world music, folk, swing, and electronic projects. According to festival organizers and trutnovinky.cz, the lineup includes:
- Underground & Rock: The Plastic People of the Universe, Garáž (featuring singer Tony Ducháček), and Portless.
- Punk & Alternative: Gogol Bordello (USA), Visací zámek, and the international project Reflections of Karma featuring Maťo Mišík.
- World & Funk: The Wailers (Jamaica) and Monkey Business.
- Other Acts: Redzed, Ventolin, Mucha, and Ondřej Havelka with his Melody Makers.
The festival kicks off Thursday at 17:00 with performances by Pražský výběr, Jasná Páka with David Koller, and Hentai Corporation, according to the event organizers.
Honoring Václav Havel’s Legacy
The dedication to Václav Havel extends beyond the music. Marta “Indiánka,” a musician and organizer, stated that the non-musical program will include exhibitions, debates, and screenings focusing on Havel and alternative culture. For children, the event will provide a camp featuring a theater, an observatory, and art workshops.
The connection between Havel and TrutnOFF is historical. Trutnovinky.cz reports that the festival’s founder, Martin Věchet, started the event in October 1984. Early attempts to hold the festival in Staré Buky and Volanov were shut down by the StB (State Security). During the September 1987 crackdown, musical equipment was reportedly hidden at Václav Havel’s cottage in Hrádeček.
The Evolution of Lucie and Robert Kodym
The current iteration of Lucie features a new “chemical formula” and energy following the addition of singer Viktor Dyk. Robert Kodym told budejovice.rozhlas.cz that the change has brought back a sense of courage similar to when the band first started.
Kodym continues to balance his work with Lucie and the band Wanastowi Vjecy, a project he started in 1988. He described the two roles as a form of “bigamy” that requires careful planning to avoid scheduling conflicts, according to budejovice.rozhlas.cz.
Pro Tip: When attending multi-genre festivals like TrutnOFF, check the daily schedule for “non-musical” segments, such as the debates on alternative culture, to get the full experience of the event’s historical context.
TrutnOFF Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 13–16 |
| Location | Trutnov |
| Main Dedication | Václav Havel (90th Birthday) |
| Key Debut | Lucie |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the “chief” of the TrutnOFF festival?
The organizers have designated former president Václav Havel as the festival’s “chief” (náčelník), according to trutnovinky.cz.
Which band is making its first appearance this year?
The band Lucie is performing at TrutnOFF for the first time this year.
What non-musical activities are available at the festival?
According to organizer Marta “Indiánka,” the event includes exhibitions, debates, screenings, and a children’s camp with theater and art workshops.
Are you attending TrutnOFF this year or following the return of Lucie? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on alternative music festivals.