ABOUT METRONOME PRAGUE

 

 

METRONOME PRAGUE
 

The metropolitan arts event of the year has always offered several days of programming, unique musical performances and unforgettable experiences at the end of June.

Thanks to top international stars, a wide range of artistic forms, its location in the heart of the city and its perfect timing during the most beautiful time of the year, Metronome Prague was set to become the number one metropolitan music festival.

In addition to the June event, METRONOME PRAGUE brings music fans (and others) a range of other events throughout the year. One of the most memorable events in the past was the Covid-era music party ‘NÁROD SOBĚ’ in February 2021, when 40 musical projects performed at the National Theatre in a single evening under strict lockdown measures. The auditorium had to remain empty, but the live broadcast on Czech Television was watched by more than 1.5 million viewers. In 2022, just a few days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, METRONOME and Czech Television organised the ‘CONCERT FOR UKRAINE’, which marked the very beginning of a massive wave of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The METRONOME PRAGUE festival itself was the first international music and arts event to be held in Prague. Thanks to the event’s diversity, the organisers appealed to audiences of all ages and musical tastes every year. It focused on current trends in modern music, whilst not neglecting the enduring classics of various genres.

The programme did not overlook domestic performers, who often presented unique shows here, such as the return of the Sexy Dancers, the collaboration between J.A.R. and the Maranatha gospel choir, or Ivan Král with Jiří Suchý, and the mega-concert by the band MIG 21 with the Orchestra and Choir of the National Theatre in Prague, entitled ‘SymfoMIG’, when nearly 100 musicians gathered on the stage at the Křižík Fountain. Over the first four full-scale editions, whilst the event was still operating under its original name, Metronome Festival Prague, it was attended by stars such as Kraftwerk, Primal Scream, Liam Gallagher, Morcheeba, Sting, Iggy Pop, Foals, the Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Tom Odell, Ella Eyre, David Byrne, John Cale and Massive Attack. From the local scene, performers included Ohm Square, Floex, Ille, Tata Bojs 30, David Koller with Katarzia, the aforementioned Sexy Dancers and dozens more.

The Covid era brought about METRONOME WARM UP. Originally intended as a replacement for the cancelled 2021 edition, which we organised in September of that year, it sparked the idea for a ‘warm-up’ event on the festival grounds. The festival thus began on a Wednesday in 2022, when the festival’s MOON STAGE was filled by the UKRAINIAN FREEDOM VOICES charity concert, and subsequently in 2023, when the Ukrainian Queens Orchestra and David Koller with his band performed.

In 2022 and 2023, METRONOME PRAGUE welcomed nearly 22,000 visitors, who were completely captivated by superstars such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jamiroquai, Beck, ZAZ, M83, Underworld and Everything Everything, Aurora, Lola March and Oh Wonder, whilst from the Czech scene, the line-up included SymfoMIG, Tata Bojs, Jana Kirschner, Mňága a Žďorp, Zrní, the return of Alice with Dan Bárta, Marpo, Midi Lidi, Lenka Dusilová, Lenny, Prago Union and RedZed.

The year 2024 was a showcase of new trends and debut performances in the Czech Republic, the highlight being a performance by British superstar RAYE, who converted 6 out of 7 nominations into awards at the 2024 BRIT Awards.  Other stars also more than lived up to the audience’s expectations, including Michael Kiwanuka, Milky Chance, Marc Rebillet, Roachford, Meute, Tom Grennan, as well as the anniversary concerts for Kosheen’s 25th and Michael Kocáb’s 70th, both featuring a host of guests.

In 2025, not only did global stars such as Alanis Morissette, Rag’n’Bone Man, Die Antwoord and The Streets showcase their talent, but so did Czech rock icons Michal Prokop and Vltava, the all-female trio Langerová/Poláková/Vytisková, and stars of the Czechoslovak rap scene. We are no less proud of the fresh discoveries across genres from the Czech Republic and beyond.

The year 2026 marked two major milestones in the festival’s history – the move to the new venue at Letňany Airport and the partnership with Live Nation ČR. Thanks to this new partnership, Metronome Prague 2026 featured icons such as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sting, Manic Street Preachers, Slowdive and The Flaming Lips, alongside younger artists like Tom Odell, Lykke Li and Of Monsters and Men, right through to the younger generation – Jade, Don West, Cobrah and Orville Peck. The Czech scene was represented by MAT213 & Gufrau, Marcel & fiedlerski and Marie April.

We will no longer be organising or running the Metronome Prague festival in June itself. However, you can look forward to smaller-scale events in the same spirit as the nine full-scale editions and the two ‘half’ editions held during the Covid pandemic.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you!