Del Arno Band, one of the most prominent and influential reggae acts from the region, will celebrate 40 years of work with a major concert on September 19 at Belgrade’s Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, organized by the production company Long Play.

The legendary band has dedicated the entire year to marking the anniversary with concerts across the region, and will conclude the series of performances in Belgrade. As band leader Jovan Matić points out, the Botanical Garden is one of the best places in the city for their anniversary concert.

The celebration will feature special guests – prominent former members of the band, some of whom have gone on to successful solo careers.

In the unique setting of the Botanical Garden, surrounded by greenery, Del Arno Band will present its audience with a representative overview of a four-decade career – from the songs that earned the band recognition and popularity during the 1990s to those that have marked its creative work in recent years.

The audience will have the chance to hear some of the band’s best-known songs, including “D.A.B. je tu da spaja”, “Verujem”, “Više nego život”, “Svakog dana reci hvala”, “Još uvek ima nade” and “Dim iz moje lule”.

“This anniversary is, at least in my view, worthy of attention and respect”, says Matić. “For forty years, almost to the point of masochism, we have remained faithful to the idea we believe in, and we look back on the past decades with pride. We have never strayed from the path we set out on and, even more importantly, we have played a significant role in establishing reggae as an equal genre on the region’s musical landscape.”

Matić adds that, as the oldest reggae roots band in the former Yugoslavia, following the work of younger reggae artists from Slovenia to the southern parts of the region, they have come to realize that their efforts were not in vain.

“Bands, festivals and sound systems were being established, much to our delight. Despite the disbelief our artistic venture provoked at the beginning, and even later on, reggae’s messages of understanding, tolerance and love reached all parts of the former country, despite the bloody events that unfortunately accompanied our journey.”

Serbia, Matić points out, has taken a particularly important step forward as the host of the “Natural Mystic” festival, one of the most significant reggae festivals in the region.

Announcing the September 19 concert at the Botanical Garden, Matić concludes:

“Del Arno Band has always been a meeting place for people with similar musical interests, and all generations have gathered around the band. We will be very happy to look back on our 40 years of work together with our audience. We can’t wait to celebrate this anniversary in our own city – a milestone that many line-ups cannot boast of. Cheers!”

Tickets for the Del Arno Band concert have been on sale at a price of RSD 2,500, online and at all Tickets.rs sales outlets.

LINKS:

Tickets >>  ǀ  Del Arno Band: Instagram >>  ǀ  Long Play >>