Thirty-five years on from their genesis in Yugoslavia, Laibach (which is one of the historic names for Ljubljana) is the most internationally acclaimed band to have come out of the former communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe, and one of the most enigmatic, prophetic and authentic music groups in the world.  Founded in the year of Tito’s death in the industrial city of Trbovlje, located in the so-called revolutionary Red District area of Slovenia, they rose to fame as Yugoslavia steered towards self-destruction. Laibach have consistently opposed labels of any kind, and refuse to be categorised as “rock”, “pop”, “techno” or “industrial”. In August 2015 Laibach became the first ever band of its kind to perform in the secretive country of North Korea, a reclusive garrison state that is as well-known for its military marches, mass gymnastics and hymns to the Great Leader as for its defiant resistance to Western popular culture.

Programme has been put together in collaboration between Laibach and RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. The young Slovenian composer Anže Rozman arranged the orchestrations and Simon Dvoršak will conduct the orchestra. The audience will be able to hear some new interpretations of already acclaimed Laibach songs, including those from their Sound of Music and Spectre projects, but also from the 2003 album WAT, which deals with the refugee and migration crisis in Europe and in Middle East. Self-styled “engineers of human souls”, Laibach can make you think, dance and march to the same music. However, this time, supported by the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, they will have you nailed to your seats.

LIVE REVIEWS:

 “It seems this most fascinating, assiduous, entertaining collective still have plenty to say about our past – and our present and future.”  (The Quietus live review)

“Laibach continues to provide us with much-needed reflection on politics and ideology, and for that matter even puts a new step forward. It is no exaggeration to say that they have invented themselves again. Not an easy thing to do for a band that soon celebrates their 35 anniversary…”  (The Peek A Boo live review)

‘It was definitely an evening of awesomeness! I have to speak in superlatives. An extraordinary show from an extraordinary band. Many fans are totally stoked, have smiles all over the faces. Even doubters got convinced. Fully. What a great band!’  (Nocturnal Hall Magazine live review)

‘Laibach were like a polished, earth shaking ideological freight train who with humour as a disarming stimulant was running through the audience, from the hardcore totalitarian to nuanced songs resting like beautiful spires on a black, dark and foreboding construction of danceable discomfort.’ (Dagavisen live review)

‘With ‘Spectre’ and the respective tour, Laibach step out of their niche and prove their quality as Pop entertainers – but beware, they will allure you, they will debauch you, they will mislead you and they might stab you in the back! And you will thoroughly enjoy it! (…) one of the must see shows of this year!’ (Reflection of Darkness live review)

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