Forbes magazine published an issue on 4 February in which it introduced 30 rising stars of the Czech business scene (not only). As part of this special edition, Filip Košťálek, the head programmer of Colours of Ostrava, was given the challenging task of curating a playlist of 30 tracks that best represent him.
Filip approached the selection with honesty and care. "I focused on songs that have shaped me over the years, as well as those that have been resonating with me recently. This playlist is very personal: it reflects my first concert, my high school days, my first encounters with Colours of Ostrava, my wedding, my travel experiences, and my latest musical loves. Many fantastic tracks didn't make the final cut, but perhaps they’ll make it into the mix another time," he shares. Here's the final selection:
Manu Chao Me Gustas Tu - My first dance at my wedding. It carries a carefree, relaxed vibe.
Hermanos Gutiérrez: Tres Hermanos - My favorite song of the past few years. The Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers, in collaboration with Dan Auerbach, conjure an atmosphere with their guitars like no one else.
Youssou N’Dour: 7 seconds - Seeing this African legend perform live in his homeland and being part of the crowd at the festival was an unforgettable experience.
Stromae: papaoutai - A dream artist with an incredible live show. I would love to see him at Colours someday.
Woodkid: Iron - The first concert I remember from Colours of Ostrava, back in 2013.
Sting: Englishman in New York - A classic song. Will I finally get it out of my head when I hear it live this summer?
Macklemore: Can’t Hold Us - Some festival years are harder than others. Macklemore is the perfect cure for anything bad :)
Noga Erez: End Of The Road - I absolutely adore this rapper!
Peso Pluma: Lady Gaga - One of the biggest stars of the Latin American scene. I saw her perform in Austin, and surrounded by 3,000 Mexicans, I felt like a giant.
Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat: Pursuit Of Happiness - All the emotions I’ve experienced seem to crystallize in this track.
Charlotte de Witte: Overdrive - My first pick for Colours, ahead of its time. Back then, she played for 3,000 people in a tent; now she headlines the biggest festivals.
Justice, Tame Impala: Neverender - If anyone can create a show like no other, it's Justice. They push the boundaries of both music and stage design.
Fred again..: Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing) (feat. The Blessed Madonna) - Fred again.. at Primavera 2023 showed us what the crowds truly want: authenticity, simplicity, and carefree vibes.
Bratři: Lost Juno - These Czech guys have the potential to break through internationally. I’m really rooting for them!
Polo & Pan: Canopée - A few years ago, they brought a smile to our faces at Colours. Back then, not many knew about them.
Sofi Tukker: Drinkee - I loved the intro to the TV show The Young Pope, where this track played. Sofi and Tukker, however, offer musical journeys that take you beyond the Vatican.
Purple Disco Machine: Hypnotized (feat. Sophie and the Giants) - A track connected to my travels. The line "’Cause I've been hypnotized by the lights – But I'm coming home, I'm coming back down tonight" captures my feelings perfectly.
Judeline: zarcillos de plata - A fresh artist from Spain who’s starting to shake up the festival scene. Are we witnessing the rise of the new Rosalía?
Jelly Roll: Liar - I’ve fallen for country music, and Jelly Roll is in my top three!
Iggy Pop: The Passenger - I’ve always been fascinated by legendary figures. Seeing Iggy at 77, performing one of the most energetic festival sets, was mind-blowing.
DPR IAN: Don’t Go Insane - My journey into K-pop. DPR IAN has become an idol to the masses, now finding his way through artistic expression and a meticulous live show.
Ektor: Pro štěstí - I’m part of Generation Rap. Ektor has been with me since high school, from Vidím to jako včera to his current work.
Smack: Další rok - Back then, people laughed at the music I was listening to. But then Smack won several Anděl Awards.
Vladimir 518: Planeta Praha (feat. Martin Svátek) - I’m a proud Ostrava native, but even so, our capital, Prague, has its magic, full of both joy and pain.
Lucie: Šrouby do hlavy - The first concert I remember attending with my parents as a child.
Tata Bojs: Opakování - Milan Cais, Mardoša, their manager Petra, and their entire crew are a constant source of fun for me. Mainstream, but also not. Catchy and yet original.
Cheikh Lo: Degg Gui - This track reminds me of how lucky I am to have amazing friends all around the world. We spent nights together in Senegal after they won the Africa Cup, or when we watched traditional wrestling.
Mark Eliyahu: Journey - Listen to it, and you’ll understand why Mark is on my list. An incredible person and a phenomenal musician.
Ibrahim Maalouf: Love Anthem - Just when I thought my passion for world music was fading, a gem like this comes along and completely redefines my playlist.
Asaf Avidan: One Day / Reckoning Song (Wankelmut Remix) - "Baby, we'll be old / And think of all the stories that we could have told." That’s what it’s all about – living in a way that we never regret a single moment.