Čuvarkuća, Vodenkonj, Layka and Badel-Bager to perform at Bear Stone Purpurne Bašte showcase

The showcase will take place on the Mill Stage on 4 July, featuring four bands emerging from Osijek's alternative scene: slacker rock quartet Čuvarkuća, noise rock outfit Vodenkonj, alt-rock duo Layka, and garage rock and Osijek underground "cult heroes" Badel-Bager.

The takeover will be led by Purpurne Bašte, an independent label and creative collective founded by designer and musician Hrvoje Dešić. Operating as part label, part design studio, and part cultural platform, it's described as a "home for čudne biljke (strange plants)", in other words, artists with ideas that deviate from the mainstream.

Bear Stone launched in July 2022 with Year Zero as a limited capacity, free-entry event, before holding its first official edition just one year later. The festival has maintained a capacity of below 5,000 attendees to maintain its intimacy, positioning itself as a unique opportunity to engage with heavy music, community, and nature, situated within the canyons of the Mrežnica. Previous years have seen performances from Orange Goblin, High On Fire, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, and more.

Now in its fifth year, Bear Stone is set to feature the likes of Altın Gün, Karma Sheen, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Elder, My Sleeping Karma, Planet of Zeus, TRAVO, Godzilla Was Too Drunk to Destroy Tokyo, Wyatt E., and more.