Nebál will return to Nová Zbrojovka for the fifth time on 12 September. This immersive night-time event is described as “somewhere between a party, a ball, a circus and an art experience”; the theme this year is ‘WE’, placing visitors, performers and organisers on an equal footing as co-creators of the night.
Neither a conventional festival nor a club night, Nebál is an extravagant, glamorous party, a mix of music, theatre, performance, carefully designed scenography, and gastronomy. Over its first four editions, it has established itself as one of the most distinctive immersive events in the Czech Republic, combining art and nightlife into an experience that defies easy categorisation.
This year’s theme, ‘WE’, is based around the idea that Nebál is not created by the organisers alone, but from the coming together of everyone who attends, performs and helps prepare the event. The organising team is therefore symbolically stepping into the background for this edition, and handing the role of “atmosphere creator” over to the visitors, according to Eva Gerych, art director and co-creator of Nebál.
This concept is reflected in the programme with live scenography that changes depending on who passes through it, a speed-friending format, and games that only work when at least two or three people cooperate. The dress code is based on the idea of exchange (“from me to you — from you to me”).
On 12 September, the Nová Zbrojovka complex will be transformed into a space featuring 27 bars, including 13 so-called ‘experience bars’, each with its own concept and surprise. The event will also feature its largest music and performance line-up to date, with around 17 artists and groups performing. For the first time this year, Nebál is also collaborating with the automotive brand Lynk & Co, with the organisers preparing a special experience that begins on the journey to the venue itself.
The line-up is being announced gradually on the event website. Artists already announced include:
- Kristian Mensa (performing as Mr. Kriss) — a dance artist combining breaking with the fluidity of contemporary dance; his performance is a dialogue between body, music and audience.
- P/\ST — a duo breaking down the boundaries between rap and electronic music, with a raw and playful show; this year they will present their new album ‘Fotr’.
- Hard-Ton — an Italian duo associated with the Berghain scene, combining acid techno with echoes of Italo disco; they will make their Czech debut at Nebál.
- La Valentina — a Colombian rapper blending her Latino roots with contemporary music; her sound mixes salsa and reggaeton with raw drill and trap.
Before Nebál itself, the programme will also include a guided tour of Jan Černý’s exhibition in Moravská Galerie, in cooperation with the Ploom brand. The artist will be present in person to guide visitors through his work.
More information on the programme and ticket sales are available at www.nebal.cz. Since mid-July, the price has increased to CZK 2,026, with another price increase planned for early September.
