In our weekly series “The Saturday Gig”, we highlight one special performance happening on Saturday night in Budapest – if you have no plans, you do now!
Drastik Putto concert at Kuplung – January 6th, 8pm
THE BAND: As Hungarian pioneers of “surreal pop”, Drastik Putto takes listeners on unpredictable journeys into a harmonious soundscape of alternative rock tinged with electronica elements, funky beats, and lighthearted vocals. Led by singer Ábel Mihalik (formerly a member of the beloved Magyar bands Kispál és a Borz and Kiscsillag) since its formation in 2012, the group also features esteemed musicians Zsolt Csókás on guitar, Mátyás Borbély on bass, keyboardist Zoltán Bubenyák, and drummer Csaba Papp melding experimental audio artistry into transcendental songs full of feeling. In late 2017, Drastik Putto released their third album, “Keptönamerika”.
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:Drastik Putto will almost certainly be playing their newest material at this concert, so you might want to arrive early to avoid crowds at the bar as the night goes on; you can also catch the Gyík Zenekar trio warming up the stage before the main event, and stick around later for Kuplung’s resident DJs grooving towards dawn – check out the concert’s Facebook event info for more details.
