Rock Monsters Romania

From the joy of the first qualification for the knockout stages at the Euros in 24 years to seeing one of your favorite bands live for the first time, June 26th was a day to remember. Bucium marked the start of Purple Sessions, one of the most exciting series of events happening this summer in Bucharest.

I arrived at Expirat to find the entire city blocked with people celebrating the team’s qualification. The same energy filled the concert room, where a large screen had been set up. The concert was delayed by about half an hour so everyone could watch the Romanian National Football Team’s historic performance live.

At the start of the concert, I was surprised by how few people were in the room. But as time passed, the crowd grew, likely drawn in from the terrace by the sound of the band, which was so good that many decided to come and see for themselves.

The entire concert felt like a dream, guiding everyone through different stages of emotion. The beginning was a bit slow, with the band gradually stepping onto the stage and playing some of their most popular songs. This created a nostalgic atmosphere, allowing the audience to relive the past. At the same time, it felt like everything around us was frozen, as everyone watched the stage in a mix of surprise and admiration.

The concert could have been divided into two parts: before and after Ligia Hojda’s appearance. Her energy and movement completely transformed the atmosphere, and her immaculate voice, paired with the white dress she wore, lit up the entire room.

Ligia took the stage for some of Bucium’s more popular songs, including “Cântecul Soarelui” and “Frunză Verde Foi Mărunte,” among others. I had never seen Ligia perform live before, but I had always heard people praising her. And wow, they were absolutely right.

“Frunză Verde Foi Mărunte” was probably the most impressive moment of the night. I was expecting a cameo from Dora Gaitanovici, as she features on the recording, but when Ligia began the song, I realized it sounded just as good, if not better, than the studio version. It was absolutely breathtaking.

When the concert ended, everyone felt it was too soon, leaving the crowd wanting more. This was especially true given how rarely the band performs in Bucharest, compared to other folk-rock bands that consistently sell out shows.

So if you see their name on a poster in your city or spot them in the lineup of a festival you’re attending, make sure to catch their performance—especially if you haven’t seen them before. It’s an absolute must!

Review and photos by Radu Mihai