Rock Monsters Romania

Do we have enough time to be happy? Do we need to feel like children again to remember what we want to become?

These were the questions on my mind when my ticket was scanned at the entrance. VUNK’s concert was a last-minute plan because if you had asked me a week ago whether I was going, I probably would have said that I would be too tired for another concert. And that was true, but I had to take my inner child to see one of his favorite bands.

It was also at Sala Palatului, which was another major factor in my decision to say, “Yes, I’m going.” Even though I’m not a big fan of the venue and still believe that Bucharest needs more concert halls, it’s the place where I saw some of the bands I adored as a child perform live, from Voltaj to Tarja.

The show started quite early, at 19:50, with Andrei Irimia. It was the first time I had heard his name, and I didn’t know what to expect. As I walked up the many stairs to my seat, I looked him up. Thirty thousand followers? I felt ashamed of myself, it humbled me so much that I couldn’t help but think that, out of everyone in the concert hall, I was the only one who hadn’t heard of him.

It was a neoclassical performance, so it made sense that I hadn’t heard of him before. I immediately understood why he was chosen. I’ve seen many orchestras, but this was something different, a perfect fit for a symphonic concert. It was so surprising and powerful that it left me speechless. And incredibly, everything was done with just three musicians and three instruments.

For a few seconds, I forgot why I was there; I was so captivated by the flow of notes that everything felt surreal. It only lasted about 20–30 minutes, but it left me wondering if I would ever get the chance to see him live again.

“Dă-i timp iubirii și iubirii timpului” (“Give time to love and love to time”) was the message that appeared during the break. Was it an answer to my questions? I chose to take it that way. It also felt like a reminder for all of us, especially since the concert took place on Valentine’s Day.

The hall was nearly full when the Radio Orchestra and VUNK took the stage. This was their first concert since the passing of drummer Nicu Sârghea in December. For this performance, Vlad Gheorghe stepped in to take his place, joining the usual members, Cornel and Onel, along with the band’s newest addition, Călin Grăjdan. With time, perhaps after a few concerts or a few years, we’ll likely get used to the change. But for now, something still felt missing.

I had originally planned to say a few words about each song, so I opened my notes app and began writing. But after the first song, I realized this was a special moment, and it was better to simply enjoy it rather than taking notes. This concert wasn’t about the songs themselves, it was about their meaning and also about new beginnings. I closed the app and just listened.

The concert featured two types of songs: those performed solely by the band and those sung with guest artists. And every song was shared with the audience, who sang along as well.

I personally enjoyed the songs without guests, and you might wonder why, since the guests and their performances were indeed really good. The answer is simple: those songs felt more like the “classics,” such as “Artificii pe Tavan” or “Pleacă!”, the ones I grew up with. They placed VUNK among a small list of Romanian bands that shaped my childhood.

Speaking of the guests, I really enjoyed the chemistry between Cornel Ilie and Florian Rus, who seems to be friends with everyone. Just days earlier, I had seen him perform at Ana Coman’s concert. I was expecting to see Anastasia Sandu again on stage singing “Mi-e dor de tine,” and she absolutely delivered.

The big surprises were Aura Șova, who had just won The Voice of Romania this year, and Villia. I was especially impressed by Villia’s performance and the growth of her career. She has a unique voice, and going from somewhat underground to performing on major stages in less than two years is a huge achievement. I’d love to see her again on stage, whether with VUNK or other bands, or even headlining her own sold-out concerts.

As always, the audience had the chance to hear two new songs, which were both good and catchy. But I won’t say more to keep the suspense.

However, there was one more moment that brought us all to tears, and I believe it was the most special moment of the night. Before performing “Doină fără doi,” Cornel gave a speech to commemorate his dear friend Nicu. He couldn’t hold back his emotions and needed a moment to compose himself. At that moment, the rest of the band, Onel, Călin, and Vlad, came up to hug him. Together through thick and thin. It’s something we should all remember and never take for granted, as life is short and unpredictable.

The show ended with “Așa, şi?”, accompanied by confetti and people dancing everywhere. It felt like more than just a concert, it was a lifetime portrayed through songs.

Thank you, VUNK, for 30 years of incredible music and #foreverNicu!

Review by Radu Mihai
Photos by Anca Zvorișteanu