Rock for People festival begins amid ominous weather

One of the Czech Republic’s major music festivals, Rock for People, kicked off its 15th year Friday at the airport in the city of Hradec Králové. Based on advanced booking, organisers say they expect record turnout in spite of severe challenges posed by severe weather conditions. An afternoon storm on Friday flooded a number of festival tents, including the press centre. Notwithstanding the deluge, a range of popular acts are set to play the festival’s seven stages over the weekend, including the popular Spanish group Ska-P, trumpeter Laco Deczi, and the British bands Bloc Party, Underworld and Placebo.