Z++
Pop, Hip-hop, Trap
z++ is one of the most promising names on the Croatian music scene, and since it appeared, it has only had hits.
CRI ORCHESTRA
Experimental, Free Jazz
CRI Orchestra is a contemporary Croatian ensemble founded by composer and double bassist Vedran Ružić. The orchestra brings together musicians from jazz, classical, and experimental backgrounds, focusing on original compositions that explore collective improvisation, structured freedom, and orchestral sound textures.
ONE DREAD
Reggae, Dub
One Dread is a seven-piece reggae/dancehall band led by TNT (Tena, Nika and Tea), a powerful vocal trio that gives an exciting edge to all the songs the band performs.
ESSENCE
Progressive, Hardcore, Metal
Formed in 1998 ESSENCE is one of the longest-lasting bands in Croatia. Their music is a mixture of all sorts of styles from progressive metal and stoner sludge to punk hardcore and jazzy math.
TRAM 11
Hip-hop, Rap
Tram 11 is a Croatian hip‑hop duo from Zagreb, formed in 1996 by General Woo (Srđan Ćuk) and Target (Nenad Šimun). They are widely regarded as one of the most influential acts in the Croatian rap scene, known for pioneering hip‑hop in the region and bringing sharp social commentary, humor and wordplay to their music.
PETRALE
Death Metal, Black Metal, Avant-garde
Petrale is a Croatian one-man black metal project. The music is written and recorded entirely by a single musician who performs all instruments and handles production.
TI, JA I MOJA MAMA
Rock, Indie, Alternative
Ti, ja i moja mama is a Croatian indie pop band formed in Zagreb in 2015 by members of the band U pol’ 9 kod Sabe together with guitarist Sandra Sobočanec. The band’s music blends melodic indie pop with thoughtful, emotionally expressive lyrics that reflect on living life on one’s own terms, even when it feels difficult.
KRIES
World Music
Kries is a Croatian ethno/world music band formed in Zagreb in 2003 by frontman Mojmir Novaković, following his earlier work with the group Legen. The band is widely recognized for its unique fusion of traditional Croatian folk music with contemporary rock and world music influences.
LELA KAPLOWITZ
Jazz, Singer-songwriter, Swing, Country
Lela Kaplowitz is a Croatian jazz vocalist known for her expressive voice and artistic approach that transforms everyday emotions into refined musical storytelling. She began singing professionally at the age of 16 and later studied vocal improvisation in Graz and New York with renowned jazz musicians such as Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Barry Harris, and Mark Murphy.
LEFT TO STARVE
Doom, Sludge
Founded in 2013 in the city of Karlovac, Left to Starve embraced the ethos of the DIY punk community while blending aggression of dark hardcore and heaviness of sludge metal resulting in a couple of releases.
AKLEA NEON
Pop, World Music
Aklea Neon is a Croatian singer-songwriter and producer whose music blends Afro-soul, ethno-beats, and world-music influences into a unique sonic journey. Often described as a “travelling musician,” she draws inspiration from nature, global cultures, and personal growth. Through her one-woman-band setup, Aklea combines live looping, layered vocals, and organic instruments to create immersive performances full of warmth and energy.
STAMPEDO
Pop, Rock
Stampedo is a Croatian band founded in 1995, known for its eclectic, cabaret-inspired sound that blends rock, pop, and a wide range of global influences. Led by vocalist Ivanka Mazurkijević, the band combines genres such as mambo, swing, samba, tango, ska, and chanson into a vibrant, theatrical musical expression.
REZERVE
Rock, Punk
Reserves blend the romantic and the tragic, the modern and the retro, Petty-esque riffs and Ramones-like playfulness. Over the past few seasons, they have performed at festivals in the region and gathered experience.
TINA VUKOV
Pop
Tina Vukov is a Croatian pop singer. Tina has participated several times in the Dora festival, Croatia’s national selection for Eurovision, with notable songs like Il treno per Genova and Tata.
LUCE
Pop, Indie
Luce, the stage name of Lucija Ćustić, is a Croatian singer-songwriter who has spent nearly a decade building a recognizable presence on the regional music scene with her distinctive voice and emotionally driven songwriting.
LILI GEE
Pop, Rock
Lili Gee is a Croatian pop-rock band from Zagreb, fronted by vocalist and songwriter Lidija Graovac. The project evolved from her earlier solo work into a full band, developing a recognizable sound that blends pop, rock, funk, and indie influences.
LEUT MAGNETIK
Indie, Electropop
Leut Magnetik is a Croatian electro-pop collective from Split, formed in the early 2000s and recognized as one of the key acts shaping the regional alternative and club scene.
MERITAS
Pop
Meritas is a Croatian duo formed in 1996 in Zagreb, created by vocalists and songwriters Meri Jaman and Anita Valo. Their work is marked by thoughtful lyrics, warm harmonies, and an artistic depth that resonates with multiple generations of fans throughout the region.
MI VIDA
Pop, Indie, Alternative
Mi Vida is a Croatian musical duo made up of Vida Manestar and Stanko (Stanislav) Kovačić. Their music defies strict genre labels and often incorporates electronic elements, with arrangements shaped by their evolving tastes and the needs of each song.
ZORAN ČALIĆ BAND
Rock, Psychedelic
Zoran Čalić is a legendary figure in Croatian and regional rock’n’roll, best known as the former guitarist and songwriter for the cult band Majke. After decades of shaping the sound of the local rock scene, he embarked on a solo journey with his newly formed project, Zoran Čalić Band.
COTA G4
Hard Rock
Cota G4 is a Croatian rock band formed in 1998 in Daruvar, Croatia. The group plays hard rock and classic rock and has been active from its founding to the present.
JELENA RADAN
Pop, Fado
Jelena Radan is a Croatian singer and songwriter known for her versatile pop and fado music. She gained recognition with her hit “Leti do snova” and has released several albums, including Nije kraj (2003), Novi dan (2006), and the multilingual Voyage (2013), which earned her multiple Porin Awards and nominations.
GRADSKE BITANGE
Rock, Alternative
Gradske Bitange are an alternative rock band from Valpovo, Croatia, formed in 2018. Emerging from the Superval scene, they are considered one of its more long-standing acts, with several singles and numerous live performances behind them, including a notable appearance at INmusic Festival 2022.
