So, we waited. On Sunday, August 10, 2025, our very small group of desperate fans of Dubioza Kolektiv set off from Bar via Podgorica to Niksic for the performance of our favorite band. It should be noted that the journey was uneventful – the train to Niksic, which we were supposed to change to in Podgorica, was waiting for us safely.
And here we are in Niksic. It turned out to be as hot here as in Podgorica and on the coast. Upon arrival, we went in search of coffee and rakia. And it should be noted that we found it very successfully – not far from our apartment there is a cafe Zhivago. We recommend it.
The apartment that we rented for 1 night turned out to be very good. A separate bedroom, a large sofa and a double bed in the living room, a kitchen with a large refrigerator and a dishwasher, and an excellent bathroom with a modern boiler. Having settled in, we decided to have a bite to eat at a nearby tavern. After having a bite to eat, we headed to the festival. Moreover, our friends who had attended all three days of the festival were already waiting for us there! Before the main program began, there was an additional program, where the guys we already knew, O’Konrads, performed, as well as another new group from Montenegro, whose guitarist we know – he plays in Magic The Gathering. After the end of the additional program, we had enough time to walk along the lake and even swim.
And what about the Dubioza Kolektiv performance itself? As usual, it was not enough for us. Everyone danced and sang along. But the strict regulations of the event allotted only 2 hours for their performance.
In any case, they were great, as always!
It should be noted that after 22:00 in Niksic, nothing works – no cafes, no shops, no gas stations. Therefore, having taken a taxi to the apartments, we finished the beer that was prudently left in the refrigerators, chatted and went to bed.
In the morning, we leisurely got ready, went to breakfast and headed back. The road to Bar passed without incident.
1) Niksic: history, information and what to see
A brief overview of the city. Niksic is the second largest city in Montenegro and the center of the country’s largest municipality by area (≈2,065 km²). According to the 2023 census, the municipality has a population of about 66.7 thousand people; the city center itself has a population of about 32 thousand. It is known for its bauxite mines, metallurgy and the Trebjesa brewery (Nikšićko pivo). The city is located on the karst Niksic field at an altitude of ~630–640 m above sea level, at the foot of the Trebjesa hill.
Historical sketch. Ancient authors mention an Illyrian settlement here; in late Roman times, a camp castrum (Anagastum) appeared. In the Middle Ages, the city was known as Onogošt, and the current name “Nikšić” was established by the 15th century. The Ottoman period lasted from the 15th century to 1877; further urban development took place as part of Montenegro
Main attractions.
- The Tsarev (Imperial) Bridge on the Zeta is a grand 18-span stone crossing, ~269–270 m long, built in 1894 according to the design of Josip Slade at the expense of the Russian Emperor Alexander III. Today it is a state-protected monument.
- The Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog on Petrova Glavica — erected in 1895–1900 as a memorial church; the author of the design is the Russian architect Mikhail (Mikhail Timofeevich) Preobrazhensky; inside there are plaques with the names of the fallen heroes of 1875–1880.
- Bedem Fortress (Onogošt Old Town) — the upper fortress dominating the city; presumably it dates back to the Roman era, the last major battle at the walls was in 1878.
- Ostrog Monastery — one of the shrines of the Orthodox Balkans, a 17th-century rock monastery located just ~15 km from Nikšić.
Economy and “taste” of the city. Nikšić is an industrial hub: the largest bauxite reserves in the country and a historic metallurgical plant; here is also the Trebjesa brewery, which produces the Nikšićko line.
2) Krupacko Lake (Krupаčko jezero): description and history
An artificial lake 5 km southeast of the city — a favorite place for swimming, kite riding and picnics for Nikšić residents; formally located at an altitude of ≈614 m and connected by canals with Slansko Lake and Vrtac. The lake basin was created for the needs of hydroelectric power (Perućica) – the main work took place in the middle of the 20th century; today the water area also serves as a recreational area.
Size and landscape. In guidebooks there is an area of about 5.7 km²; maximum length – up to 2.5 km, width – up to 2.8 km. Inside are the islands of Veliki / Mali Zakrnjak; coastal beaches go among poplar groves – under them and the main festival sites are located.
3) Lake Fest 2025: program and participants
Dates and place: August 8-10, 2025, traditionally on the shore of Krupacko Lake (Niksic). The festival has been held since 2011 and is positioned as the largest music forum in Montenegro; camping is free.
Lineup 2025 (main names): Dubioza Kolektiv, Dr Nele Karajlić, Goblini, Kultur Shock, Nikola Vranjković, Bombaj Štampa, Sunshine, M.O.R.T., Dža ili Bu, Samostalni Referenti, Savršeni Marginalci; cover projects – Wider Horizons (Pink Floyd tribute), Ring (ABBA tribute); opens the nursery Choir “Zahumlje”.
Day by day schedule (official announcements):
- Friday, Aug 8. Children’s Choir “Zahumlje” → Wider Horizons → Kultur Shock → M.O.R.T. → Nikola Vranjkovic (at night).
- Saturday, Aug 9. (among the participants are Dr Nele Karajlić, Samostalni Referenti and others; see the poster/Day 2 page).
- Sunday, Aug 10. (Day 3): Dža ili Bu (19:40) → Bombaj Štampa (20:40) → Dubioza Kolektiv (22:10) → Goblini (00:10) → Sunshine (01:50).
4) Day three – in detail about the bands
Dža ili Bu (Serbia, Belgrade; since 1987)
A punk rock band, one of the emblematic voices of the Serbian scene of the 90s. Famous releases – “Strašni sud” (1995), “Jasno i glasno” (2022). The hit manifesto “Ustani i kreni” is the hallmark of the live shows. Line-up (core of different years): Nebojša “Sablar” Simeunović (vocals/guitar), Goran “Goksi” Maikić (guitar), etc.
Bombaj Štampa (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo; 1982–, breaks)
Members of the “novi primitivisam” movement, colleagues of Zabranjeno Pušenje. Returned to the stage in 2008–2010. Key album – “Ja mnogo bolje letim sam” (1990); the song of the same name “Bolje letim sam” is the main hit, along with “Nedim”.
Line-up (various years): Branko “Đuro” Đurić (vocals), Nedim Babović (guitar), Ernie Mendillo (bass) and others.
Dubioza Kolektiv (BiG; 2003–) — headliner
A genre hybrid from ska/dba and punk to hip-hop and electronica, with socio-political lyrics, multilingual verses and wild live energy. The best-known tracks: “Kažu”, “No Escape (From Balkan)”, “Free.mp3 (The Pirate Bay Song)”, “U.S.A.”, “Himna generacije”. Discography: from the debut Dubioza kolektiv (2004) to #fakenews (2020) and Agrikultura (2022).
Line-up (current): Almir Hasanbegovic, Adis Zvektic, Brano Jakubovic, Vedran Mujagić, Mario Ševarac, Senad Šuta, Jernej Šavel.
Goblini (Serbia, Šabac; 1992–2001; since 2010 — again)
Cult punk/alt-rock; authors of the bright “comebacks” of the 2010s. Hits: “Cipjonka”, “Deca iz komšiluka”, “Ima nas”, “Ti si taj”. Albums — U magnovenju (1996), Roba s greškom (2013), Jednina (2019). Line-up (current): Branko “Golub” Golubovic (vocals), Alen Jovanovic (guitar), Leonidas Pilipovic (guitar), Vladislav Kokotovic (bass), Milan Arnautovic (drums).
Sunshine (Serbia, Belgrade; since 1993)
Hardcore rap/rapcore with a characteristic “street” presentation. Main songs: “Misli mene gone”, “Kokane”, “Sha bilo”.
5) Dubioza Kolektiv: who they are, what their phenomenon is “made of”
History and ideas. The group grew out of the Sarajevo-Zenica scene in 2003, uniting people from the projects Ornament and Gluho doba. From the very beginning – a contrast of the “dance shell” and sharp, satirical, socially active content; the band fundamentally encourages the free distribution of music and advocates for alternative models of monetization, and the video Free.mp3 (The Pirate Bay Song) has become a symbol of their position.
Lineup and stage. The “heart” of Dubioza is vocalists Almir Hasanbegovic and Adis Zvektic, keyboardist/producer Brano Jakubovic, bassist Vedran Mujagić and the rhythm section Senad Šuta, etc. At concerts, the band switches between Bosnian/Serbian, English and “Balkan Esperanto”, prioritizing the message over the “purity of the genre”.
Key recordings and hits for the playlist:
- Apsurdistan (2013) – “Kažu”
- Happy Machine / EP (2014/2016) – “Free.mp3 (The Pirate Bay Song)”, “One More Time”
- Wild Wild East (2011) – “Making Money”, “U.S.A.” • #fakenews (2020) — «Kafana»
- Agrikultura (2022) — «Bubrezi», «Može li»
Useful notes for travelers
- To Krupacko Lake from the center of Nikšić ~10–15 minutes by car/taxi; altitude — ≈614 m, noticeably cooler than the coast in the evenings.
- If you love engineering beauty — be sure to visit the Tsarev Most (photos are taken from the bank of the Zeta on the old road Danilovgrad → Nikšić).
- The city’s “calling card” is the Nikšićko mug from the Trebjesa brewery. Excursions and tastings are periodically announced by local tour operators.
