A complete guide to Czechia's summer music scene in 2024

Summer music offerings in Prague and throughout the Czech Republic reinforce truths about a somewhat eclectic local taste in music – legacy acts (Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart) mingle with Hollywood stars turned frontmen (Keifer Sutherland, Keanu Reeves) as avant-garde performers (Sam Smith, Oliver Tree) keep things weird.

The country’s leading festival lineups prove that Czechia’s got soul (Lenny Kravitz, Michael Kiwanuka) while standalone performances at smaller venues (Kim Gordon, The Gossip) offer edgy alternatives. Whether you go for stadium rock or experimental sounds, stay for the cold beer and the warm sunshine on your back with these summer 2024 events.

Festival fever: The Rock for People Festival (June 13-15) features headliners Bring Me the Horizon, Avril Lavigne, The Prodigy, Bad Omens, Sum 41, and Dogstar, featuring Hollywood hero Keanu Reeves. The Respect Festival (June 15-16), Prague’s 27th Annual celebration of music and diversity, features global sounds, from Yemeni melodies to Mongolian throat singing. 

Metronome Festival (June 20-22) brings Mercury Prize-winning artist Michael Kiwanuka to Prague along with headliners Milky Chance and Raye and a lineup of electronic artists, including Kosheen. Bad Religion and the Hives headline Mighty Sounds (June 28-30).

Under-the-radar gigs: The underground horror-core scene takes center stage with Sematary and The Haunted Mound (June 17) at Smíchov's MeetFactory, followed by Chelsea Wolfe (June 23), known for her mesmerizing doom-folk style. New Jersey indies Gaslight Anthem (June 25) bring their new album to the Roxy. The Gossip (June 26), helmed by Beth Ditto, stages a summer comeback at Roxy after a long hiatus performing.

Festival fever: Colours of Ostrava, scheduled for July 17-20, features headliners Sam Smith, Lenny Kravitz, Queens of the Stone Age, and James Blake for a diverse mix of soulful ballads, rock anthems, alternative rock, and electronic sounds in the outdoor space of a converted metal factory in Dolní Vítkovice. The smaller but no less noisy Beats for Love (July 3-6) celebrates its 10th year with Dave Guetta and a stellar lineup of house and techno acts. Also in Ostrava.

Stadium shows: Pet Shop Boys (July 1), Smashing Pumpkins (July 4), and Rod Stewart (July 3) will play arena shows at O2. Outside of Prague, Ed Sheeran (July 27-28) performs for two nights at Park 360 in Hradec Králové. Tickets are still available for the second show. In Pardubice, the Scorpions play at the Enteria Arena on July 29.

Under-the-radar gigs: Kim Gordon, co-founder of Sonic Youth, brings her introspective musings and avant-garde sounds to MeetFactory (July 2). Meanwhile, the eccentric Oliver Tree (July 8) entertains with his multimedia spectacle at Ledárny Braník. The Black Eyed Peas (July 10) will make a splash in Prague at Žluté Lázně; British band The Cult (July 23) celebrates four decades of rock mastery at ARCHA+. Australia’s Wolfmother returns to Lucerna Music Bar (July 24), delivering seventies sound and harsh guitar riffs. Legendary funk-metal band Living Colour will also play at Lucerna Music Bar on July 15.

Festival fever: Let It Roll, renowned for its electrifying drum and bass beats, promises a high-energy atmosphere filled with top-tier DJs, while Mácháč, Aug. 16-17, along the shores of Lake Mácha, has a similar energy to one of the most important dance festivals in the Czech Republic, with a stage right on the water.

Under-the-radar gigs: Freak folk pioneer Devendra Banhart is at Žluté Lázně Aug. 6; legacy rockers the Pixies play Forum Karlín on Aug. 10. Mr. Big's final tour hits Prague's Roxy on Aug. 7. As part of Prague Open Air 2024 Kiefer Sutherland brings his country riffs to the Občanská plovárna stage on Aug. 8, followed by Arrested Development, the iconic American hip-hop group on Aug. 14. On Aug. 29, Vesna, the all-female band and Czech Eurovision contender will bring their unique blend of pop, folklore, and rap to the stage.