Balaton concert at Gödör Klub – October 28th, 9pm - 4am
THE BAND: With gently flowing melancholic rhythms, transcendent guitar solos, and the poetic lyrics of front man Mihály Víg, Balaton reigns as a pioneering Hungarian alternative-rock band for decades now. In 1980, Balaton first made a splash on Hungary’s underground-music scene with their inaugural concert held in the courtyard of a psychiatric hospital, and went on to become one of the country’s most popular bands until breaking up in 1987 – but in the early ’90s, Balaton regrouped as a trio to play small clubs and festivals nationwide, and has remained active with various lineups ever since. Nowadays, Balaton only performs occasional concerts, but Mihály Víg’s soulful singing continues to thrill audiences with pure emotional power.
THE VENUE: Celebrating its 15th anniversary this week, Gödör Klub originally occupied the city-center mega-club space under Erzsébet Square that now houses Akvárium Klub. While Gödör Klub’s current site deep within the Central Passage promenade on Király Street is not nearly as prominent as its former locale, this remains one of Budapest’s best venues for concerts by living-legend Magyar musicians along with up-and-coming talents.
THE SHOW: As a highlight of Gödör Klub’s ongoing 15-year birthday celebrations, Saturday’s Balaton gig is a celebration of Hungary’s ’80s underground-rock scene – the show opens at 9pm with songs by Ági és Fiúk performing music by the Kontroll Csoport (another prominent Magyar outfit of the 1980s), and after Balaton leaves the stage, dj.wurlitzer.hu spins discs late into the night. For more details, click here or check out the Gödör Klub website.
