Big names and new stages: Jamiroquai, ZAZ to headline 2023 Metronome Prague

The city’s biggest music festival, Metronome Prague, returns to Výstaviště for four days of music and cultural events this summer from June 21 to 24.

In addition to big names as headliners, the festival includes an accompanying program of outdoor art installations, a family-friendly fair, and, for the first time, a rap music stage.

Festival founder and organizer David Gaydečka said that after last year's festival introduced a rap program, this year's edition will have a separate stage dedicated to it. Gaydečka added that the festival will also boost the night program in the Křižík pavilions.

This year, 80 concerts will hit the festival's stages, double the number from last year. International headliners for the festival’s sixth edition are Jamiroquai, Aurora, and Biig Piig on June 22; ZAZ, Moderat, and Editors on June 23; and M83, Tove Lo, and White Lies on June 24. A recent addition to Saturday’s lineup is Holly Humberstone, who won the 2022 Brit Award for Rising Star.

Czech and Slovak acts include Jana Kirschner, rappers P.S.H. with a live band, and Midi Lidi with Laco Lučenič. The set from alternative rock band Zrní will be recorded for Czech Television.

"We will start the festival on Wednesday, June 21. The main concerts will then run from Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning," Gaydečka said. Bands on Friday and Saturday are scheduled throughout the night to 4 a.m. or 5 a.m.

A special lineup of Monkey Business will play after Jamiroquai to keep the funky vibes going on Thursday. “We will be joined by our brothers from J.A.R. and it will be grand, we are really looking forward to it,” Monkey Business frontman Matěj Ruppert said.

The Beats for Metronome dance music stage will host performances by David Penn, Simon Doty, Mike Väth, and others who were picked by the organizers of Beats for Love, the biggest dance festival in Central Europe.

An accompanying program called Metronome Fair has the theme of "Courage," which is meant to inspire visitors. As part of the program, there will be an outdoor installation of H.R. Giger’s Alien based on the film series with the same name. Non-profit organizations will present their activities, and events for children plus workshops and various games are planned.

To make the festival more visitor-friendly, refreshments will be in two zones with more seating. Selected places will sell beer by the glass, and other beverages in returnable cups to reduce waste. Payment will be cashless, by card, mobile phone, or smartwatch. The number of entrances has also been increased to reduce lines. The festival area will include chillout zones and Wi-Fi.

Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda expressed enthusiasm for the event. “During the festival, thousands of spectators visit our metropolis not only from Prague but also from other parts of the Czech Republic and abroad. … As mayor, I am glad that Metronome Prague contributes to spreading the good name of the city,” he said.

Last year, the festival was headlined by Beck and saw over 22,000 visitors. It did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic.