Are you ready to have a close encounter with some of the most influential music from Poland? Krzysztof Cugowski, one of the most legendary local rockers, a co-creator of the famous Budka Suflera band, will soon return to Opole.
Krzysztof Cugowski began his journey in 1969 in Lublin, when he founded the band Budka Suflera (The Prompter’s Box) together with Janusz Pędzisz and Krzysztof Brozi. “We had our heads full of dreams, we didn’t plan a bright future, we just wanted to play,” recalls the vocalist. Over time, those youthful dreams grew into a band that truly shook up the Polish rock scene. This has led to recording a part of their material in English for international markets and work with some of the most acclaimed and sought-after instrumentalists in the world – including Steve Lukather, Greg Phillinganes, Marcus Miller, and Sheila E. have worked with legends such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyoncé, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, and Ringo Starr. In 2015, American rapper 50 Cent sampled the band’s song “Noc nad Norwidem” in his track “Body Bags” from The Kanan Tape. After the legendary group first ended its activity in 2014, the artist never once stepped off the stage. He started a new path, initially with his sons Piotr and Wojciech, known earlier as part of their group Bracia (The Brothers), creating the project Cugowscy (The Cugowskis). This family venture resulted in two albums and a gold record.
Now, as a very successful solo musician, he is continuing one of the most important endeavors of his career, the celebration of 55 years on stage, which started out last year. He also released an original album on September 20. “We couldn’t imagine it any other way. I’m glad the album was released this year and opened another chapter in our shared story,” the Artist adds on the matter. A biographical book, “Singing Doesn’t Tire Me”, was published just five days later, conducted as an interview with Marek Sierocki – one of the most acclaimed musical journalists in our country. The year also included dozens of performances. The upcoming shows, including the one in Opole, act as a continuation of this jubilee project. “Our concerts are a journey through the decades. We play songs that are important and dear to me from these 55 years on stage, as well as several from the latest album. So the audience can expect many musical memories, but also new songs,” adds K. Cugowski.
Since 2017, the artist has been conquering Polish stages with the extraordinary Zespół Mistrzów (The Band of Masters). The group features top-class musicians: Jacek Królik on guitar, Cezary Konrad on percussion, Robert Kubiszyn on bass, and Tomasz Kałwak on keyboards. Together, they have already played in hundreds of venues in Poland and abroad, including previously on the on the stage of the well-known Millennium Amphitheatre in our city. “We understand each other without words. We’re tuned to the same musical wavelength, and we enjoy every concert together,” says the Singer.
The retrospective journey into his career will take place on October 16, 2025, at Toyota Park Opole (ul. Oleska 70) as the first celebration of Drum Fest 2025 – an international percussion festival in Opole, featuring top drummers and the 20th Young Drum Hero competition for emerging talent. We highly recommend joining the event as a way to experience live the songs that shaped local generations.
Buy tickets here: [LINK, kupbilecik.pl – in Polish], [LINK, biletyna.pl – in Polish]
(photo: press mateirals provided by Drum Fest)
