This time, I want to take you into the depths of the youth music scene in Skopje. I have the pleasure of introducing you to bands from two completely different sides of the scene. 

Lost In Reverie
(post-hardcore/emo/metalcore/extreme noise)

They don’t believe in genres. 

“It’s just bad music or good music. If it’s good, it’s good, if it’s not good, then we try to make it good”.

Band based in Skopje that started making music as a group in January 2023. They first came together for a My Chemical Romance tribute concert in December 2022. After that, they decided to start creating their own music. Since then, the band had a lot of changes in the group, especially on drums. 

They released their first studio album “Flowers for Your Grave” on December 5, 2024. They wrote the material within 6 months and the production took them about a year. “We are friends, but we are individualists. Every one of us has a different style of learning and playing music. When we write, everybody brings something to the table, and the final product is something that we are all proud of.“

Lost In Reverie has already played concerts in Skopje and Dojran (opening the Dfest last year). Their next planned gig is in Kumanovo. This summer we can also see them at the Hills of Rock festival in Bulgaria. “The Skopje scene is pretty small, but we are all part of the same movement, so we promote each other. We just know some people, and that’s how it works. Basically, Alex, who produced our album, also plays drums in Conspiracy (MK).”

For them, being in a band is an experience. “It allows us to meet new people who might like our music. Then we get the chance to go somewhere and play, just be there, experience new places. We don’t care if it’s in front of five people, every gig is important for us.” 

As artists they are all really creative and experiment with different styles, which is why some of the band members also have side projects (LV$T, Luke Levin, Sol Nocivo). “When you have an idea, you develop it, and then you see – ‘Oh, this one is for the band’ or ‘This one is for my solo project’. You need to know how to manage that”.

Screams, varied vocals, instrumental tapestry, and a mix of genres, that is what makes them special. “It’s special because it’s ours. It’s special because we are a band of friends. We love and are grateful for each other.”

So, if you want to experience some hardcore local noise made with passion, just turn up the volume on Lost In Reverie in your headphones!

https://www.instagram.com/l0stinreverie/

Zanadu

(indie/funk with rock and psychedelic moments)

This Skopje-based band has been active since 2022. Their songs flow with freedom, funky guitar sounds, and a vibrant energy. Why the name Zanadu? Because of a song by the band Rush. Their musical background is diverse, ranging from metal, rock, and jazz-funk to popular music and ’70s/’80s rock. 

How did they meet? The guitarist had the idea, and then they randomly met at an English language school. Zanadu creates songs in Macedonian. “Locally we have a lot of people who help young bands. Being a band in Skopje, especially in our style is cool because we are all close together, we play together at festivals like Dfest and around the country”. However, their beginnings weren’t easy. “Terrible times, we changed singers twice, but they were part of our early journey.”

Soon they plan to publish a new album. The songs БРОТЧЕ, ОЧИ, and НЕ САКАМ are already available with music videos on YouTube. Martin Chichovski is responsible for the visual part and creative process of the videos. They make their videos without strict scripts, relying on core ideas, improvisation, and fun. “Right now, we’re deciding how we want to release our album. It’s a bit expensive for young bands to produce an album. So, instead of splitting the money we earn from gigs and festivals, we save it to pay for producers and video production.”

Zanadu is also part of a collective of bands called Gola Planina – a “so-called liberal union”. “If someone finds a festival, we inform each other. Everybody knows everybody.” In 2024, this movement launched an independent record label called Мртов Коњ (Dead Horse), an underground young band producer in Macedonia. The label has already published music from bands in Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia, gaining recognition on the Balkan scene.

Zanadu has performed in Bitola, Strumica, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Prilep, Belgrade, and Sofia. Some of you can also know them from music festivals like Pin or So Alive. 

The freshest news? Zanadu is planning a Balkan tour this April, with stops in Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Mostar!

https://www.instagram.com/zanadu___/

As you can see, the local scene has a lot to offer. Just take a look around, search on social media, and ask people. Don’t limit yourself to just listening to radio hits. The best thing you can do is wander into Skopje’s concerts and events. Hope to see you at the next gigs!

Karolina Kubera 

All of the quotes come from my interviews with members of the bands Lost In Reverie and  Zanadu.