Legendary guitarist Marc Ribot will perform in Bratislava for the very first time, bringing with him the spirit of four decades of groundbreaking musical exploration across countless genres, scenes, and collaborations.
This special, intimate solo acoustic guitar performance will take place in the unique setting of Rudavsky’s Magic Garden, an artistic garden space that adds a distinctive atmosphere to this one-of-a-kind event.
May 22, 2025, Thursday
Rudavsky’s Magic Garden, 19:00
Marc Ribot (solo acoustic performance)
For the first time in Bratislava, legendary guitarist Marc Ribot will present an intimate solo acoustic concert in the unique setting of Rudavsky’s Magic Garden.
Ribot began his career in New York’s no-wave scene, notably with John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards. His distinctive guitar style has since become a defining element in the work of many collaborators. One of the most iconic partnerships was with Tom Waits on the groundbreaking album Rain Dogs, where Ribot’s guitar work left a lasting impression that continues to influence musicians today. He has also worked with Elvis Costello (Spike), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (Raising Sand), and extensively with composer and saxophonist John Zorn.
In addition to his countless collaborations, Ribot leads several genre-defying bands including Ceramic Dog, Shrek, Los Cubanos Postizos, Rootless Cosmopolitans, The Young Philadelphians, and The Jazz Bins. All are unified by his raw intensity, direct compositional style, and ever-present punk ethos.
As a solo artist, Ribot has released six diverse guitar albums, including Book of Heads (by John Zorn), Plays the Works of Frantz Casseus, Saints, Don’t Blame Me, Exercises in Futility, and Silent Movies (Pi Recordings, 2010), described by the Village Voice as “a masterpiece of melancholy,” and featured on numerous “Top of 2010” lists including the LA Times.
His live solo performances are unpredictable journeys, drawing from all or none of these works—creating a soundscape of memory, free improvisation, zeitgeist, and something like alien radio waves. Ribot keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, every time.
When it comes to Marc Ribot, it’s more effective to consider what he hasn’t done than to list everything he has. Over four decades, his career has touched on smooth soul, raw blues, noisy no-wave, cinematic scores, solo compositions, and iconic guitar lines. His solo shows gravitate toward quiet, intricate improvisations built around jazz standards—recognizable yet wholly reimagined. He is a master of timing, tone, and taste, capable of navigating any song or moment with effortless grace.
“Consider this performance a masterclass.” — Grayson Haver Currin, indyweek.com
Opening act: Szabó x Bodnárová x Nosáľ
Music from Strekov and Lišov performed by a trio combining deep respect for traditional songs with bold, creative interpretation. Drawing on regional folk collections, they offer a balance between the archaic and the innovative.
- Martin ‘Noso’ Nosáľ – cimbalom and vocals
- Ela Bodnárová – violin and vocals
- Štefan Szabó – guitar and vocals
Tickets:
Presale: €25
Students & disabled persons: €15