The Saturday Gig: Ripoff Raskolnikov concert at Kuplung

Ripoff Raskolnikov concert at Kuplung – November 18th, 8pm
THE MUSICIAN: With his dark fedora, pinstriped pants, and a red flower perpetually pinned to his lapel, Austrian bluesman Ripoff Raskolnikov (secret: that’s not his real name) cuts a memorable figure on the European music scene. While widespread fame still eludes this modern-day minstrel, he’s earned a cult following across the Continent… or at least as far as his decades-spanning wanderings have taken him, as he plays countless dive bars and headline acts at rural community centers. This raspy-voiced singer-songwriter is especially popular here in Hungary – but Ripoff Raskolnikov’s repertoire of original English-language songs transcends all boundaries, as do his soulful guitar solos influenced by genres far beyond the blues, all performed to express “such human emotions as love, passion, desire, loss, pain, the quest of beauty, hunger for life, or fear of death”.

THE VENUE:Kuplung is hidden down a shady alley off downtown Király Street, and while service can be surly at this longtime ruin pub, it’s definitely a top Budapest venue for club concerts. Formerly the garage of a city-center mechanic (“kuplung” is Hungarian for “clutch”), the cavernous barroom features a large stage starring diverse bands that draw fun crowds to the dance floor, where a whale-skeleton statue hangs overhead. Kuplung hosts live music or DJs almost every night – and alcohol aficionados especially enjoy each Monday’s “HappyMondayz” party, when all drinks are half-price.

THE SHOW:Ripoff Raskolnikov is teaming up with some old Magyar road buddies for this Kuplung concert – namely Szabolcs Nagy on piano, Lajos Gyenge on drums, and Laca Varga on bass – so we can count on a solid audio journey. Warming up the stage, The Pontiac plays the kind of songs you want blasting from the car radio while trying to speed across a winding mountain pass before the LSD kicks in. For more details, check out the Kuplung Facebook page.

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