Radio Bulgaria

The “Wickeda” band has returned after participation in this year’s edition of the Eurosonic festival, which is a part of the European Talent Exchange Program. The festival took place from January 14 to 16 in Groningen, Netherlands. 250 European artists showed their talent there. “Wickeda” is the fifth formation to attend the festival thanks to the Bulgarian National Radio’s special award – “Golden Spring”. The radio is a member of the European Broadcasting Union, which is among the festival’s organizers. A workshop also takes place within the framework of the event, dealing with the international music industry’s latest tendencies, as well as the media development. “Wickeda” member Erol Ibrahimov gives us his impressions from the festival: “We performed in Groningen’s biggest concert hall /the Stadsschouwburg town theatre/. The sound was good and the audience – friendly. We had to give an encore, perhaps because we were the last band, scheduled in the first evening’s midnight and had the chance to play another song. I would like to thank the Bulgarian National Radio /BNR/ for this opportunity. It was a great experience for us, we sang for an hour our songs, most of them in Bulgarian. Our composition “Of Suzi and the Tails” is included in the CD, published by the festival’s hosts.
The song is written, composed and arranged by the “Wickeda” band’s front man – Erol Ibrahimov. The musicians have won with it the 40th edition of the “Golden Spring” radio contest.
“In December we toured the clubs in 10 Bulgarian towns along with “The Pomorians” band from the coastal town of Pomorie. We plan another tour in April, this time with Milena Slavova’s “Artery” band. We will continue to play in different clubs in Sofia and the country until then. We are glad that the audience is interested again in live music with original texts and music. This is a stimulus for us and our young colleagues to continue our work.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev