Petra Vlkova & Sonic Playground @ U Staré paní | 19.6.2026
I am going to make it easy for myself today and quote my own words from my June HotSpots list regarding Sonic Playground (Petra Vlková – voc; Mikuláš Pokorný – p; Libor Šmoldas – g):
“My absolute favorite band when it comes to jazz standards, as you all are well aware of by now! You never quite know what to expect when they take the stage—every gig is a completely new experience. You will never hear the same gig, setlist, or solos twice. They are incredibly skillful both as a group and individually. Because they are all tied up in various other musical projects, you don’t get to see them together that often—so grab your chance while you can!”
After last night’s gig at U Staré paní, I can happily report that absolutely nothing has changed! If anything has shifted, it has only been for the better. Because they don’t get together that often, each reunion is incredibly fresh and pleasant for the audience. You can truly feel and hear the pure joy and happiness all three musicians share while doing their thing on stage.
As much as I would like to highlight individual solos from last night, doing so almost feels wrong. Petra Vlková & Sonic Playground is a true band if there ever was one. They live, breathe, and create in total harmony. I highly suggest you do yourself a favor and catch one of their rare upcoming concerts so you can experience exactly what I mean.
If you happen to miss a live gig for some strange reason, don’t worry—I have a perfect Plan B for you. Their stunning debut album, released last year (2025), is now officially available in physical CD format. It is an absolute must-have if you love jazz standards played with a deeply personal twist. The album is a brilliant piece of work, or as Petra beautifully describes it on her website: “a musical trialogue about listening, playfulness, and the shared joy of jazz music.” You can grab a copy directly from her website, or better yet, kill two birds with one stone by buying a CD directly at their next gig. Go ahead—you are absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Petra Vlková & Sonic Playground. See you next time! 
To see all the evening’s pictures click HERE!
