Mighty Sounds Festival (the biggest Ska Punk Festival in Europe).

The idea of organising the Mighty Sounds festival was to create a summer party, which would connect music styles like ska, punk, rock´n´roll, hardcore, reggae, indie or more independent forms of electronic music e.g. breakbeat, jungle or even more alternative streams of hip hop. Mighty Sounds is not among the events which serve you the traditional fish and chips spiced up by some big foreign name. It tries to be a festival where high quality foreign performers are given space and Czech bands must try hard to keep their place in the sun. On live stages, there are around 100 bands from many countries around the world (and in 2009 around 150 bands are expected). Genres like ska, punk, reggae, dancehall, rock'n'roll and hardcore are catered for, but the organisers do not hesitate when it comes to good quality hip hop or indie guitar music.

More than 10,000 visitors came to Mighty Sounds in 2007 and 2008, and even larger numbers are expected in 2009. Many artists from over 30 countries have performed at Mighty Sounds during the four years of its existence (in 2009 it is the 5th jubilee year). For example Derrick Morgan (Jam), New York Ska Jazz Ensemble (USA), Desorden Publico (VEN), Karamelo Santo (ARG), Persiana Jones (IT), Mad Sin (D), The Peacocks (CH), Elvis Jackson (Slo), Hotknives (UK), Mark Foggo's Skasters (NL/UK), Panteon Rococo (Mex), Skalariak (Basq), The Slackers (USA), Jesse James (UK) and many more.
Visitors to the festival can set up tents at the campsite for free, or use the services of surrounding hotels and boarding houses. Cars can be parked for all three days at a paid car park for around 100 CZK (but check this as it might vary each year).

Like other open summer festivals, there are many mobile restaurants with a wide choice from classical meats to vegetarian at affordable prices. Drinks are available, and excellent Czech beer can be had for just 30 CZK for a half litre.

Location: Olší u Opařan. Olsi is a small village about 15km from the South Bohemian town of Tabor, around 100km south of the capital city Prague.
When: annually in mid-July (for 2009, July 17-19)
Ticket prices: around 680 CZK (check as it might vary, and if booking in advance you might get a discount)
Website: www.mightysounds.cz

Mighty Sounds 2009

Among the already confirmed bands are British punk rock legends Buzzcocks, Swedish rock'n'roll stars Backyard Babies and American dirty reggae formation The Aggrolites. The British Isles, which are always strongly represented at MS, are home of punk rockers Deadline; from the country of cheese and high quality watches you can see rockabilly trio The Peacocks; the South of Europe will be represented by Italian ska rebels Talco and their Spanish colleagues La Gossa Sorda. Lovers of unusual experiences will definitely appreciate punk rock cabaret The World/Inferno Friendship Society or American psychobilly matadors Koffin Kats. Let's mention some other interesting names which are in the first wave of confirmed bands: Swedish 2tone legend Liberator, Dutch ska star Mr. Review, rock'n'roll massacre Peter Pan Speedrock and certainly also a British-Dutch legend Mark Foggo's Skasters.