Harlej celebrates 30 years, stops in Pilsen

What does a typical Pilsen resident do on the last day of October if they are not a fan of American holidays? This year it is clear, they go to celebrate the 30th birthday of the music band Harlej at the local TJ Lokomotiva. At least that is what it looked like in the endless queue before the event started, it even seemed that all the fans could not even fit in there. After about half an hour, it fortunately turned out that it was possible, as if the hall was inflatable, but it was definitely crowded inside. After all, it was already sold out a week in advance.

After filling the hall, we still managed to catch at least part of the performance of Koblížci from Šumperk, who (at least towards the end) played mainly songs from their latest album. They heard, for example, Mladey, Zvedni mě ze země, Nejlepší chvíle or Skáču přes kaluže. The last one mentioned did not lack the usual trampoline, on which the singer jumped. From a distance, it seemed that he was flying really high. 

Then a tarpaulin was pulled over the stage so that the band could prepare in peace. Those who didn't have a seat right in the front row could go upstairs to have a snack with sausage and beer, or stop at the very end of the hall to buy some merch – both Harlej and Koblížci brought T-shirts, caps, key chains or CDs to add to their collections.

Then the first notes were heard and people impatiently and quickly returned to the main hall. The tarpaulin fell and the concert began. From the very beginning of the show, fans enjoyed it and from all sides and all age categories they could hear "Hej, já jsem zfetovanej!" 

During the concert, guitarist Tonda Rauer also got to the microphone, thanking the fans very much and remembering the beautiful 30 years of the band, the first Pilsen management and the late Vláďa Šafránek. 

During the evening, the entire cross-section of the band's work was heard, and it was clear that the whole family who came to the concert knew the well-known hits. Therefore, even those who were not that familiar with the band had a good time - they sang along anyway, because who wouldn't know the already almost popular Nejsem zklamanej, Pověste ho vejš, Svařák, Zrzi zrzi, Proč pocit mám or Přírození.

Of course, there were other, not so well-known, but popular songs for fans. We could also enjoy Svatbení košile (with a disco ball in the middle of the stage), Než to s námi půjde ke dnu (with large inflatable balloons that fans threw at each other) or Královna noci. At the end, Strážní Andělé was played and a large fiery sign with the band's name lit up behind the band. Most of the audience also picked up their mobile phones and lit up the hall.

As an encore after the enthusiastic applause, the band chose the song Kdo neskáče není Harlej to warm up the fans under the stage one last time. Then only the members came to say goodbye, throwing some picks, sticks, even a T-shirt flew among the people.

Thank you to the band and the organizers for a great evening of typical Czech rock. I am very happy that I could be a part of it in my hometown of Pilsen, which apparently means a lot to the band. 

Šári

More photos available on our ZONERAMA.