More than just music: 15 years of the Žižkovská noc festival bringing values to the stage
At a time driven by profit, productivity, and perfectionism, it can be hard to find something that breaks away from these expectations. Something that chooses solidarity over profit, authenticity over perfection, and community over individualism. However, the Žižkovská noc festival does exactly that.
The festival openly stands against racism, sexism, queerphobia, and other forms of hate, placing humanity at its core. This year, it celebrates its 15th anniversary and will once again bring a wide range of bands to Prague’s Žižkov district, filling up to fifteen clubs with music. Organizer Marek Dočekal told us more about the festival, its beginnings, and the values it is built on.
"How did it all begin? We were a group of young musicians and people from around the band scene, and we said to ourselves that we wanted to create something for ourselves as well as for others. Not really knowing what could go wrong, we went all in and didn’t overthink it."
What started as a simple desire to connect clubs in Prague’s Žižkov district and enjoy good music together gradually evolved into a festival built on clear values.
"For the entire team, a strong value dimension is absolutely essential. Most of us come from DIY hardcore, punk, or independent underground scenes. For us, it’s important to say that politics belongs in music – and music belongs in politics. By that, we don’t mean party politics or government institutions, but ethics and solidarity: solidarity with sexual minorities, with LGBTQ+ people, with minorities in general, and with anyone who is being marginalized or oppressed by the system around us."
The organizers have long emphasized keeping the festival financially accessible and open to a wide audience. That’s why they offer free solidarity tickets for people in need or clients of social services. Their values are naturally reflected in the festival’s line-up as well.
"For us, both the two days of the festival and the months of preparation leading up to it represent a kind of safe space – a chance to feel like something other than just a cog in a machine and to truly work on our dreams. Of course, we enjoy sharing this with people who hold similar values, but at the same time, there’s nothing better than someone who disagrees yet can communicate respectfully and remain open to discussion. Still, it feels especially meaningful to share the space with artists like Dukla or Amelie Siba, whose support for civilians in Gaza is constant – we feel safe with them, and we value that."
The festival works on a simple principle: with one ticket, visitors can access fifteen official venues and several more as part of the accompanying program. The idea is to move from place to place and experience a different atmosphere everywhere. All locations are within a ten-minute walking distance, giving visitors the chance not only to discover new bands but also new spaces – from intimate clubs to large halls, from cafés and pubs to community centres and even churches.
"I’m really glad that the festival remains rooted in the club scene and supports young and emerging bands. Every year, just when I start to feel that rock’n’roll might be fading and people are no longer going to clubs, I’m reminded that there are always new artists willing to take the harder path – choosing independent music and pushing their way through the underground because it truly matters to them."
Alongside headliners like Zrní, P/\ST, and Hm…, organizer Marek Dočekal recommends also the Slovak shoegaze band Eversame, Czech emocore group Esazlesa, or the Prague-based ska/reggae band All Mad Here.
"This is what I wish visitors would experience – the joy of discovering music that isn’t just a product or commercial gloss, but something genuine: music created out of passion, carrying a deeper meaning that connects us."
The Žižkovská noc festival can also be seen as an opportunity to explore the Prague district of Žižkov itself. Beyond concerts, the accompanying program invites visitors to discover local bookstores, enjoy vegan food, or support charity initiatives.
"Žižkov offers so much – great places like independent bookstores, where we’ve set up poetry stages, as well as benefit events supporting humanitarian aid for our friends in Ukraine. For us, it’s extremely important not only to talk about values but to actively create them. That’s why we’re also happy to host Food Not Bombs Prague at the festival. They provide hot meals for everyone, regardless of background, on a donation basis, with proceeds going to support Ukraine. They’re preparing a fully vegan menu so that anyone can enjoy it – and having them there feels especially meaningful to us."
The Žižkovská noc festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. With a single ticket, visitors will have access to all clubs and venues, where they can enjoy music from more than 150 bands and DJs.
