Siddharta Shook Stožice for Three and a Half Hours and Wrote a New Chapter in Slovenian Rock History (2023)
Performers: Siddharta
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
Location: Ljubljana / Arena Stožice / Slovenia
Siddharta! In a sold-out Arena Stožice, with a three-and-a-half-hour show delivered at a level that can stand toe to toe with the concert ceremonies of the biggest and wealthiest rock and metal stars in the world, Siddharta have set yet another historic milestone on the Slovenian rock scene — one that will not be forgotten.
Siddharta is a Slovenian rock band with a stamp that unites the majority DNA of Slovenians into one. Much like Vlado Kreslin managed to do in the singer-songwriter sphere, we Slovenians have claimed Siddharta as our own when it comes to rock. They are everyone’s band. The essence of Slovenian identity — with the Slovenian language at its forefront — can hardly be fused more perfectly with the spirit of rock and metal than Siddharta have managed. That is why they rightfully occupy the throne of Slovenian rock music.
The band wanted to test itself with a new show of megalomaniacal production while also marking 20 years since the pivotal moment of their career when they conquered the Bežigrad stadium in 2003. At the same time, it was a kind of ‘reset’ — a ‘restart’, you might say — as the band used the occasion to draw a line under recent activities while reconnecting with that unforgettable Bežigrad show that made all of us claim them as our own. The Arena Stožice show was the cherry on top, the closing act of a career chapter. So it made perfect sense to use the tail end of this year to appear at one of the biggest concert venues in Slovenia, embark on an epochal journey through the most essential and unforgettable moments of their career, and wrap it all up in a three-and-a-half-hour spectacular — one that also featured world premieres of four brand new original tracks (led by the single Prepovedana). At the same time, the show signaled that the band is gearing up for 2024, when a new studio album is due — opening a new chapter in Siddharta’s beautiful musical career.
Even the sights on arrival at the venue hinted that this Siddharta show would match the professional approach of the world’s biggest artists — on every organisational level. Tables with official merch were already set up outside the arena before you even walked through the door, then spread generously throughout the hall as well. Every ticket-holder received a wristband with a flashing light on arrival. Then further inside. A massive stage with a circular catwalk flanking the ‘golden ring’ (packed with a select few — the most fervent devotees) on both sides; a stunning combination of relentless pyrotechnics and lavish stage lighting, giant projection screens at the back. A non-stop play of lights and spotlights blazing throughout. A sold-out venue charged to the brim with euphoria and emotion. You knew today was only today. And that today only comes once. Not that it never returns — only next time it will be different. That’s why you simply had to be there.
The band played without a break. Without a pause. Thirty entries on the setlist, 28 of them full songs. The kind of set only a Slovenian rock act of this stature can deliver. Among the very biggest. If not the biggest outright. Siddharta loaded the set with classics from the first three studio albums — as expected, since the band was clearly trying to bridge the Bežigrad show with the Arena as intensely as possible. Of course, moments from later albums filled out the set as well, and the band genuinely surprised with the inclusion of Disco deluxe, taken from the album “Petrolea”. Here’s hoping they’ll keep surprising us in the future with more tracks pulled from the criminally overlooked “Petrolea” album.
Over the years the band has matured artistically to the point where they approach certain songs with adaptations, adding elements the originals don’t have and even allowing themselves moments of solo improvisation. The most intriguing moments were the world premieres. Four new tracks — all very different from one another — and the one that lodged itself most firmly in memory was Na nebu, in which Izabela, daughter of bassist Jani Hace, picked up the violin as a special guest. The dynamic, twist-filled song hinted that the new album will bring moments that will genuinely catch fans and the music world off guard. And speaking of surprises — Anja Möderndorfer and Miha Krušič also danced onto the stage during the performance of the classic Platina.
And yet…. Above all this part of the review, which is heavily rational…. What is it actually all about? From here on (I’ll) keep running out of adequate words to describe it, because the senses and instincts take over… The vibration and energy that drives it all? The switch-off (of reason). This is where the party lives. That raw, genuine energy that can’t be put into words. The band came here for exactly this, and came with the intention of sharing it. With the audience. The charismatic Tomi M. has over the years become a true master at hypnotizing the crowd and pulling them in. With a few thundering rallying cries he had the entire arena on his side in an instant. But what counted was something more. Not all the stage kit and spectacle — which was awe-inspiring in its own right. The essence is of course the music. The action. Every note, every line, every phrase. United. With the cohesion of the most determined hockey team. All for one and vice versa. That is the moment of extraordinary fascination that Siddharta gets you with. When you feel what a huge family these guys are, and how those bonds of mutual trust, respect and love flow freely into the space. Freely taking over the audience. Making the audience itself one enormous family with the band. That evening you wouldn’t find a single visitor who was indifferent, dispirited, who happened to be complaining or grumbling in any way. All negativity that night evaporated instantly into nothing. In its place, laughter, positivity, respect, reconciliation spread freely… And in that you felt an extraordinary unity. That’s what it’s like when Slovenians come together as one. And Siddharta is the key that opens hearts.
The guys played as if in a trance. They gave everything they had. The best they’re capable of. Three and a half hours as if they never existed. There was only a concert of such intense feelings that time and space vanish from the horizon. They no longer exist. All that remains is the eternal vibration of the universe, dictated by the language of music. In a one-of-a-kind thing called Siddharta. In all its glory.
As the band was approaching the finale of the regular set, Tomi first dedicated the performance of Siddharta to his daughter, who celebrated her 12th birthday on the very day of the Stožice concert. That was followed by Vojna idej — the only track taken from the slightly overlooked but excellent album “Saga” (2009) — and then one of the show’s singular highlights in Le mavrica, where Jani Hace let loose at the front of the catwalk with an exceptional, extended bass guitar solo. After an emotional introduction of the band members, the regular part of the show closed with the “Infra” track Piknik, where all members make their way to the catwalk — Tomaž picks up the bass guitar, Boštjan takes the drums, Jani picks up the guitar.
But the gathering wasn’t over yet. Two lavish encores came in the ensuing half-hour of the show. A set written by legends. Siddharta came to Stožice, saw, and conquered. With force, passion and fury they shook the foundations of the arena, with a devoted audience faithfully by their side, breathing in unison with the guys. As one body. It’s good to know that this kind of gathering with the band was certainly not the last — though it’s worth bearing in mind that for the next concert like this, Siddharta will surely find new levers to set new milestones. Bottom line: “Unforgettable and unique!”
Authors: Edita Klemen & Aleš Podbrežnik
Photos: Aleš Podbrežnik & Edita Klemen (last eight photos)
Setlist:
1. Intro
2. Rh-
3. T.H.O.R.
4. B Machina
5. Pot v X
6. Prepovedana (new track)
7. Klinik
8. Disco deluxe
9. Bonsai (ft. Martin Janežič – Buco)
10. Platina
11. Lej lej lej
12. Jaz
13. Samo edini
14. 1 minuta (new track)
15. Japan
16. Napoj
17. Et tu
18. Rave
19. Na nebu (ft. Izabela Hace on violin, new track)
20. Siddharta
21. Vojna idej
22. Le mavrica (ft. Martin Janežič – Buco, plus bass guitar solo)
23. Piknik (ft. Martin Janežič – Buco)
—encore I.—
24. Volk Q ovce
25. NGRMGMT (new track)
26. Na soncu
27. Medrevesa
—encore II.—
28. Ledena
29. Ring
30. Orion Lady
