Paraf Say Goodbye to a Sold-Out Pogon: The End of One of Regional Punk’s Most Important Stories
Paraf Say Goodbye to a Sold-Out Pogon: The End of One of Regional Punk’s Most Important Stories
Paraf played their final show on Friday, May 29, at a sold-out Pogon in Rijeka, closing a musical journey that spanned five decades. Over the years the band became one of the key symbols of Rijeka’s alternative scene, and their influence reached far beyond the city and Croatia. The gig marked the end of an important chapter in regional music history, and the crowd met it with huge enthusiasm and respect.
The night ended up meaning far more than your average concert.
Adding extra weight to the occasion was the fact that this was the first sold-out show at Pogon since its renovation and reopening. Once again, Rijeka’s crowd showed just how much Paraf mean to the identity of the city. The evening kicked off with a set from Termiti. They served up a selection of songs from the early days of Rijeka punk. The crowd also gave a rousing welcome to a guest appearance by Pavica Čabrijan. It was a strong opening that set the stage nicely for everything that followed.
Next up on stage was Grč led by Zoran Štajdohar – Zoff. The band played songs from their latest album, Harmonija Spazmofilija. Their set was defined by a mix of dark sound, theatricality and powerful stage presence. Grč once again showed why they’re considered one of the most original names on the regional alternative scene. At Pogon they conjured up a special atmosphere steeped in punk, post-punk and dark wave influences. The crowd rewarded them with loud applause.
The high point of the night came with Paraf’s own set. The band opened the show with the instrumental “Karmina”, dedicated to departed friends and fellow musicians. Members from the band’s different creative eras gathered on stage, and Valter Kocijančić joined them during the show. Over nearly two hours they ran through the most important songs from their entire career. From the first track to the last, the crowd sang along with the band.
The atmosphere in the hall was outstanding all night long. Pogon was packed to the rafters, with people from different generations, fellow musicians and longtime fans of the band all in the mix. A particularly moving moment came during “Fini dečko”. That’s when the band members were joined on stage by their daughters. The scene underlined the human, family side of the Paraf story.
Paraf came back out on stage several times during the night, a sign of how strong the bond is between the band and their audience. The farewell show wasn’t about nostalgia but about energy and gratitude. The band said goodbye the same way they’ve lived their whole career, with honesty and zero compromise as their defining traits. With this gig, one of the most important chapters in Rijeka’s music history came to a close.
The memory of Paraf and their influence on regional alternative music will live on.
