Anti-star Bregovic in Bucharest

I am not very sure if the huge success scored by Goran Bregovic’s music is mainly triggered by the fact that it was included in the soundtrack of three hit movies, directed by Emil Kusturica (“Underground,” “Arizona Dream,” and “Gypsies’ time”).

However, it is certain that the artist, together with “The Wedding and Funeral Band,” is currently enjoying fame and success in Europe. At the end of last week, the artist and his sixty-people band came to Bucharest for the second time.

Sala Palatului was packed, although the ticket price was quite high. The audience witnessed a concert that had many things in common with a Balkans wedding.

Goran Bregovic came to Bucharest on Friday, invited by the DaKINO Foundation that is celebrating ten years since its establishment. The artist did not run short of statements at the press conference, also mentioning that he will no longer work with Emil Kusturica. Why? Bregovic thinks that the director’s three great movies, true European cultural events, are slightly behind our time.

As one could expect, the Saturday night concert was a success, as Bregovic again chose to communicate directly with the audience. The artists performed hits from “Arizona Dream,” “Gypsies’ time,” and “Underground,” but also songs included in the albums “P.S” and “Ederlezi.”

Romanian folk music also found its way in the songs, as Bregovic stated he had discovered our music even since he was fifteen and playing in restaurants. Although he is known all over Europe, Bregovic is an anti-star. “Western civilisations have made gods out of their singers. That’s why I don’t think of myself as a star,” the artist stated.

The concert in Sala Palatului was a great DaKINO anniversary, but also very costly. Dan Chisu, DaKINO director, stated he could have brought Tom Jones to Bucharest with the same amount of money.