Łukasz Drapała & CHEVY are the winners selected by the jury of the Polish-Czech showcase: Zbigniew Lewandowski, Dariusz Uściński, Aleksandra Sozańska-Kut, Pavel Ondruj, Jacek Krzaklewski, Roman Badeński and Andrzej Winiszewski.
After hearing all the bands that qualified for the showcase final, the jury also recognized Sold my Soul and presented individual awards:
- Best guitarist – Kamil Czupryś (Biegun Zachodni)
- Best vocalist – Łukasz Drapała (Łukasz Drapała & Chevy)
- Best bassist – Maciej Cierlecki (Łukasz Drapała & Chevy)
- Best drummer – Marcin Prążyński (Łukasz Drapała & Chevy)
- Showcase Personality – Miza & Orsag (Miza & Orsag – Czech Republic)
The band showcase, held as part of the “Blues nad Bobrem – Polish-Czech Music Band Showcase” project, took place at the MOSiR stadium on Rajska Street on Friday, July 19. The first concert began at 3:00 p.m. Nine groups that had qualified for the final performed (six bands from Poland and three from the Czech Republic): Adam Zalewski Trio, Blackjob, Biegun Zachodni, Bluesberg (Czech Republic), Druty, Łukasz Drapała & Chevy, Miza & Orsag (Czech Republic), Sold My Soul and Marek Pleva (Czech Republic). The special guest of the showcase was Trzynasta w Samo Południe! Admission to all concerts by the finalists and the star was free.
After listening to the bands, the jury emphasized that the musical standard was truly very high and that the finalists were selected after heated deliberations.
The winning band, Łukasz Drapała & Chevy, performs heartfelt music filled with sincere words and true stories. The band’s single “Król” was nominated as Antyradio’s Hit of the Year 2017, and thanks to thousands of votes, the band was named Fabryka Zespołów’ Band of the Year 2018. ŁD & Chevy are known above all for atmospheric, highly evocative concerts, in which the message and closeness to the listener are most important. The band was formed in 2016 on the initiative of vocalist Łukasz Drapała – known from the band Chemia – and guitarist Tomek Jóźwiak (Ukeje, My Riot, etc.). Chevy also includes bassist Maciej Cierlecki and drummer Marcin “Martinez” Prążyński.
The Blues nad Bobrem – Polish-Czech Music Band Showcase project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and by state-budget funds via the Nysa Euroregion.
