The chorus of "Malování" is something even a person who couldn't name a single other song by this band can belt out at the top of their lungs. And that's exactly the point. When you type DIVOKEJ BILL Rtyně v Podkrkonoší into a search engine, you're chasing the connection between the wildest Czech folk-rock outfit and a meadow somewhere beneath the Jestřebí Mountains. One thing that surprises many people straight away: all that drive that gets a crowd jumping is built on a banjo - an instrument you wouldn't expect in a Czech rock line-up. And the band's name is actually a tribute to a gunslinger. It refers to Bill Hickok, nicknamed Wild Bill - Divoký Bill in Czech. Let's sort out what this search is really about and where you can catch the musicians this year.

DIVOKEJ BILL Rtyně v Podkrkonoší: band or venue?

The search DIVOKEJ BILL Rtyně v Podkrkonoší points at two things at once: a specific band from Úvaly near Prague and an open-air venue called Na Rychtě. The venue's programme and the band's tour are not the same thing, and it's worth knowing that before you set off.

Rtyně is no random name on the map. It's a town beneath the Jestřebí Mountains with around 2,900 inhabitants and a deep mining heritage, still recalled today by educational trails through old workings. Cultural life here revolves mainly around the Na Rychtě complex, which comprises the rycht building, the town museum, a cinema and a natural amphitheatre for around 2,500 spectators. No stadium, then, but a more intimate open-air stage where the front row is within arm's reach. One figure is enough to show what kind of musical reputation Rtyně has: the local Koletova miners' band has been running continuously since 1864 and organises its own brass band festival here. Music here is simply not a seasonal affair.

Divokej Bill, by contrast, is a touring band that travels the length and breadth of the Czech Republic, and its summer stops change from year to year. Our events calendar currently has two confirmed dates, and neither of them is in Rtyně itself. We'll cover exactly where you can catch the band at the end. First, though, let's look at why it's worth making the trip.

Who is Divokej Bill and where did they come from

Divokej Bill is a band from Úvaly that blends rock with country, punk and Irish melody. They formed in the late nineties and staked everything on live performance from the very beginning.

The band came together on 6 June 1998 in Úvaly, but a number of people from the founding line-up soon left and the musicians spent two years searching for a definitive roster. The turning point came with one instrument. After the original banjo player departed, that characteristic element was missing until Honza "Jack" Bártl arrived, playing both banjo and harmonica. With him on board, the band's sound settled. Armed with a demo, they entered several talent competitions, including Rock Nymburk, Jim Beam Rock and Rock Fest Dobříš, and won most of them. That was followed by a three-album deal with Monitor EMI, and in 2000 their debut record, Propustka do pekel, came out.

What's distinctive is precisely that mix of instruments. Alongside a classic rock set-up you hear violin, accordion and banjo, which gives the songs an original, danceable campfire drive that audiences connect with instantly. Today it's an eight-piece group combining vocals, guitars, bass, drums, violin and harmonica. One place above all brought the band to wider attention. They played the early editions of Rock for People and through that forged a lasting partnership with the Ameba Production agency. If you'd like to browse other names on the Czech scene, take a look at our artists overview; the band's profile is listed under DIVOKEJ BILL.

Discography: from Propustka do pekel to a Slavík award

The band has a string of studio albums behind them as well as a legendary live recording from the Lucerna. The discography neatly shows how a club act became a permanent fixture on Czech radio.

The launch was handled by the already-mentioned Propustka do pekel from 2000. That was followed by Svatá pravda (2001) and, most importantly, the third record. On the album Mezi nima (2003) the band reached for synthesisers for the first time, and the lead single Znamení opened the door to radio airplay. For that record they received a Gold Disc for ten thousand copies sold. That it had hit the mark was confirmed by a professional poll as well. In the Český slavík awards for 2006 the band won the Band of the Year category.

Their live output is a chapter of its own. The concert held at the Lucerna in Prague on 10 March 2004 was released as a live album and DVD and remains to this day one of the best ways to give a newcomer a taste of the band's energy. By 2021 they had seven studio albums, four live albums and two compilations to their name. If you want a quick picture of the playlist the crowd knows by heart, titles like Pocit, Malování, Čmelák, Šibenice, Plakala and Znamení will help. Most of them will turn up at a concert sooner or later.

The live show: why people go to see Divokej Bill

Divokej Bill is above all a live band. The records are great, but the real thing only starts on the ground, where folk-rock becomes a shared jump for the entire audience.

The band earned its reputation through wild performances. The frontman leaps into the air, shouts into a megaphone, and all the while the banjo and violin turn every chorus into something the crowd sings along to. It's not just running through a setlist. The show is also enhanced by lighting effects including fire-breathing, so even after all these years there's plenty to watch. First-timers should count on needing comfortable shoes and the urge to move. At a Divokej Bill gig you stand, dance and shout - you don't sit.

There's also an international dimension that isn't a standard entry in a Czech folk-rock band's biography. The group went on a joint tour with Čechomor and played two short European tours as support for the kindred-spirited British band Levellers. The same fusion of folk, rock and Celtic melody that went down well in England works just as well on a Czech meadow beneath the mountains: catchy, loud and built to be sung together.

Summer at Na Rychtě: what Rtyně has to offer around it

Even when there's no specific Divokej Bill date in Rtyně, the Na Rychtě venue itself doesn't sleep through the summer. The programme blends music, film and old local traditions.

The strongest summer draw is a country vibe. The natural venue hosts the annual 34th Folk - Country - Bluegrass Festival NOTA 2026, which in 2026 kicks off on 1 August. The previous edition was held in Rtyně for the thirty-third time as a full-day showcase of country and folk bands, making 2026 the thirty-fourth edition. It's a day spent with music under the open sky, and when the weather plays along it's one of the most enjoyable things the summer beneath the mountains has to offer.

The programme doesn't end there. A week later, on 8 August 2026, comes the Night Watchman's Round of Rtyně v Podkrkonoší, a living reminder of an old town tradition. And anyone who enjoys open-air cinema under the stars can head along on 22 August for the Summer Cinema at Na Rychtě screening of the comedy Někdo to rád v Plzni. The venue also hosts the Koletova Rtyně brass band festival. It has been held in Rtyně since 1962 under the auspices of the Koletova miners' band and is one of the oldest brass orchestra festivals in the country. Rtyně is also worth a walk in its own right. The town's symbol is a wooden bell tower from the late 16th century beside the Church of St John the Baptist, unique in both its shape and construction.

Where Divokej Bill will actually play this year

Here's the key information for anyone looking for a live concert. Our calendar currently has two confirmed Divokej Bill dates, both outside Rtyně, but both within easy travelling distance and with a clear venue and tickets available.

The first and most tempting is the open-air Divokej Bill + Wohnout + Michal Horák at Čestické nádvoří on Friday 21 August 2026 at the chateau in Čestice. A triple bill where alongside Bill you also get the high-energy Wohnout and singer-songwriter Michal Horák - more music in a single evening than any other summer date. Tickets are on sale through the official vendor; the link is on the event page along with the start time.

The second option is Divokej Bill at Chateau Boskovice on Thursday 4 September 2026. A chateau setting, late summer and a straight-up band concert with no additional guests. Anyone closer to Moravia will probably go for this one. Both concerts are also listed in the general concerts overview, where you can keep an eye out for any additions. Dates are added throughout the season, so it's worth checking the calendar regularly.

Frequently asked questions

Does Divokej Bill play in Rtyně v Podkrkonoší?

Our calendar currently has no confirmed Divokej Bill date at the Na Rychtě natural venue. The nearest confirmed concerts are 21 August 2026 in Čestice and 4 September 2026 at Chateau Boskovice. The Rtyně venue fills its summer mainly with the NOTA festival, open-air cinema and local traditions.

What genre does Divokej Bill actually play?

Folk-rock is the most common label. The band blends rock with country, punk and Irish melody, adding banjo, violin and accordion. The result is as good to listen to as it is to dance to, and it's more at home at a live gig than on a quiet album through headphones.

How many people does the Na Rychtě amphitheatre hold?

The natural amphitheatre in Rtyně is built for around 2,500 spectators, making it a more intimate open-air stage rather than a large stadium. The stage is closer and the atmosphere benefits from it.

Where does the name Divokej Bill come from?

The name refers to the American gunslinger Bill Hickok, nicknamed Wild Bill - Divoký Bill in Czech. The band has used a Czechified version of the name since their early days in Úvaly.

Where can I buy tickets for Divokej Bill?

Tickets are sold through the official vendors listed directly on each event page. For both the Čestice concert and the Boskovice date you'll find a link to purchase on the event page in our calendar, which also shows the date, venue and start time.

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