The return of Vincen García — who impressed audiences at last year’s summer open-air edition — is the first announced concert of the 2026 season. He performs on 14 March 2026 at Brno's Metro Music Bar. Critics praise García as one of the most compelling bassists on today’s scene, often highlighting his “explosive combination of technical mastery, musical imagination and a groove that grabs audiences instantly.” García serves up an original blend of funk, fusion, jazz and hip-hop, while retaining a distinctive personal signature and approach that makes him a true discovery of the European scene.
Another spring concert of the festival will feature Cory Henry – a Grammy winner, keyboard virtuoso and one of the most distinctive performers on today’s music scene. Henry, originally from Brooklyn, first made his mark as a key member of Snarky Puppy (itself a multiple Grammy winner), and launched his solo career in 2018. His album Art of Love was a strong debut, followed by Something to Say, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category Best Progressive R&B Album in 2022. His remarkable collaborations include work with Kanye West (for instance on the album Donda), Rosalía (with whom he earned another Grammy in 2023), Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen. Henry will play the Sono Music Club on March 22 2026.
His current project, The Funk Apostles, is the band with which Henry tours worldwide. Critics describe their concerts as “musical power stations charged with energy.” Audiences across the globe appreciate Henry’s exceptional ability to create an unrepeatable musical experience every single time he steps on stage.
The nineteenth edition of Groove Brno will run from spring to November. It will bring dozens of concerts, a wide spectrum of funk and soul aesthetics, the return of beloved projects and entirely new premieres. It may even stretch into neighbouring genres, spotlighting artists who bring elements of groove into rock-leaning or R&B-focused music.
Organisers have chosen a year-round club-and-hall format because they face significant curatorial challenges: the pool of truly high-quality, available artists is not unlimited, and many performers long targeted by the festival are currently planning European tours outside the summer season. And there are further reasons: "It's not out of the question that Groove Brno may return to an open-air format in future years. Honestly — it was our dream, and for visitors it was a beautiful experience. The feedback was extraordinarily enthusiastic and everyone who came enjoyed the atmosphere and space to the fullest. But we also need to reckon with reality: the sheer number of events in summer is enormous, attendance at many excellent projects is declining, and part of today’s audience naturally gravitates toward simple mainstream concerts. Although we strive to bring world-class quality, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover rising costs — from artist fees and technical support to demanding production. In discussions with fellow organisers we sense similar worries: everyone is fighting for audiences, for funding, and many operate on the edge of sustainability. Doing live culture today is almost an act of masochism. We are therefore humbly returning to the previously established club and hall format, which simply makes sense under the current circumstances. But we believe the time will come when interest in high-quality music will grow again. And when it does, we and Groove Brno will be ready," says Josef Buchta, festival director.
A major new feature is the festival pass, which grants access to the entire Groove Brno 2026 programme. It includes standing entry to all concerts (a minimum of 15 events) and, for the main evenings in Sono Music Club, guarantees a first-category seat without any additional fees.
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