When I first heard of it, it sounded like the name of a sedative drug. But it happened to be one of the coolest things Dan and I experienced in Budapest. Random Trip is the city’s underground music scene (not a drug) and you won’t exactly find it in the guidebooks. We learned about Random Trip through Hajnalka, a local friend who lives in Budapest and runs Budapest Local (she also just created these handy 1-day itineraries and themed guides to her city).
Random Trip is a weekly project that happens on a ship where independent Hungarian musicians are invited to play together. But the concept is not like any music show you’ve ever experienced.
There is no rehearsal. And no music sheet to follow.
The entire night is improvised. Artists come from different genres and styles of music, so what is created is an eclectic, spontaneous mish mash of soul, funk, hip hop, Hungarian rap, jazz, and dub all on the same stage. It’s kind of like watching a jam session in a musician’s garage.
Most of the time the artists have never played together before (except for the drummer who created this idea on a whim). Each week a band is randomly thrown together for a 3-hour show where they’re forced to adapt, switch, and change right on the spot. It’s raw and authentic the way music should be. It’s also neat to witness art organically created right before you. Instead of focusing on their own key strokes, they’re usually watching their other bandmates to anticipate their next move.
Sometimes they make mistakes but most of the time you’re left wondering if it’s really improv.
That is how good Random Trip is.
The other cool thing about Random Trip is that it’s on a ship along the Danube which also makes for a romantic Tuesday night date. Like strolling the boardwalk with the lights all lit up. Music, art, and nightlife. How could we not love this city so much?
When: Every Tuesday night at 8pm
Where: A38, Petőfi Bridge on the Buda side (tram 4 or 6)
Cost: 800 ft (about $3.75 Canadian)
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