SONIC DUNES: TRAVO (Portugal)

+ Andy Blackhole

Portuguese quartet TRAVO are one of those bands that are far easier to experience than to describe.

At their core lies heavy psychedelic rock, but they effortlessly veer into garage-rock chaos, progressive detours, and, at times, almost crushing metal territory. If comparisons are necessary, think of a darker, heavier King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—less concerned with technical virtuosity and far more devoted to hypnotic grooves and relentless momentum.

Ever since the release of Sinking Creation, TRAVO have become one of the standout names on Portugal’s underground rock scene. Their latest album, Astromorph God, expands their sonic universe even further. It’s no coincidence that they were picked up by Spinda Records, or that they’ve appeared at festivals such as Les Trans Musicales and sessions like KEXP—clear signs of a band whose reputation is steadily growing beyond their home country.

But above all else, TRAVO are a live band.

Long-form compositions, repetitive riffs, towering dynamics, and the kind of immersive intensity that makes you lose all sense of time—exactly the reason the Sonic Dunes concert series exists.

After the show, Andy Blackhole takes over the decks, serving up a slightly more psychedelic selection to keep the trip going—wherever the mood decides to take it.

Music policy: Heavy Psych / Garage Rock / Kraut / Prog

Admission: €10

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FINE MUSIC FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN – THE OTHER SIDE

DJ Bakto

The second edition of this year’s Fine Music from the Mediterranean turns its gaze toward the eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean.

This time, we’re leaving behind the Italian, French, and ex-Yugoslav canzone, schlager, boogie, and disco of the first edition in favour of the pop, folk, and dance music of Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and beyond. There might even be a touch of Yemeni psychedelic rock from the Levant thrown into the mix.

In other words, we’ll be dancing to the sounds of our overseas south-eastern neighbours.

Expect an evening of rai, dabke, chaabi, gnawa, Arabic funk, soul, disco, and pop gems, with the occasional familiar European tune woven into the selection for good measure.

Join us as we swap the rather stale slogan mare nostrum (“our sea”) for the far more welcoming mare omnibus (“everyone’s sea”).

And who knows—if we’re lucky, the food might take on a more eastern Mediterranean flavour too. Stay tuned.

Music policy: Rai / Dabke / Chaabi / Gnawa / Arabic Pop / Funk / Soul / Disco

Admission: Voluntary contributions

In case of rain, the event will be postponed.

SINTEZA: Open Synthesizer Jam Session feat. Bilka

SINTEZA KRU (Škerjo & Woo-D)

BILKA (Škofja Loka)

+ Open Jam Participants

What happens when you plug a room full of synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers together?

Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned synth wizard, or simply fascinated by electronic instruments, you’re invited to Gala Hala’s Summer Garden for a massive open synth jam session.

What should you bring? A synthesizer, modular system, drum machine, or sampler—plus your own MIDI and audio cables. If you’d like to take part in the jam, send your application via our Instagram profile.

This edition welcomes Bilka, a young collective of electronic musicians from Škofja Loka, who will join forces with the resident Sinteza Kru for a live performance of improvised electronic music.

Come to play, experiment, collaborate—or simply enjoy watching spontaneous electronic music unfold in real time.

Music policy: Trip Hop / Electronica

Admission: €5 before 9 PM / €8 later

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DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

DJ TORULSSON

Summer keeps rolling on, and so does our August edition of this genre-defying, alternative-leaning dance night, taking you all the way through to the early hours.

We kick things off outside the entrance to Gala Hala before slipping through the little corridor into the club, where the real mission begins: conquering the dancefloor. Hydration breaks are entirely up to you, while DJ Torulsson relentlessly serves one classic after another.

Expect a selection of well-known—and pleasantly forgotten—alternative gems from past decades. This time, the soundtrack comes with an extra dose of drama, poetry, darkness, emotion, and one unmistakably deep voice.

Who will be taking centre stage tonight?

Nick Cave, of course.

Music policy: Alternative Hits + Nick Cave

Admission: €5 before midnight / €8 later

DORA TOMORI

“Aranžirano Cvetje” Tour

One of the most resonant voices of Ljubljana’s melancholy, Dora Tomori, returns to Slovenia this summer with her second solo tour: “Aranžirano Cvetje” (Arranged Flowers).

At each concert, the singer-songwriter will present both familiar favourites and new material, accompanied by her unique live arrangements and a distinctive band setup. On 27 August at Gala Hala, songs such as “Mosquito Bite”, “New Religion” and “Everything” will be performed one last time this year with the support of her regular band—leaving their mark as summer comes to a close.

Welcome everyone who starts sneezing when spring arrives, and everyone who knows someone who doesn’t. No need to overthink it.

Music policy: Folk Pop / Alternative

Admission:
€10 — pensioners / students (available at the Gala Hala box office on the day of the event)
€12 — presale via mojekarte.si
€15 — on the day of the event

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