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Draft:2025 Hipodrom Concert

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Performance of the song "Bojna Čavoglave" during the concert
View of the concert from Most slobode
Fireworks during the concert

Marko Perković and his band Thompson held a concert at the Zagreb Hippodrome on 5 July 2025. The event broke the world record for the most tickets sold for a single performance, with over half a million tickets sold.[1] Tickets sold out in less than 24 hours,[2] making it the highest-selling concert in history.[3] The previous record, set in 2017, was held by Italian musician Vasco Rossi.

According to the organizers, approximately

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people attended the concert.[4]

Preparations

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A joint decision was made by the singer's team, the City of Zagreb, and the Ministry of the Interior to hold only one concert, but with expanded capacity. Additional land was leased to accommodate all interested attendees.

The police planned to establish a special task force[5] in charge of Logistics and Security, involving thousands of police officers, as well as private security and stewarding services. The task force functioned as an operational body comprising representatives of the police, event organizers, stewards, emergency services, and firefighters.

A total of approximately 6,500 police officers, 5,000 stewards and security personnel, and 70 firefighters were engaged for the concert.[6]

Traffic management

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Police tape and barriers on Avenija Dubrovnik
"Wild" parking in Sopot created for the concert

Attendees were advised to use public transport, and shuttle buses were organized to bring people to the concert venue. Croatian Railways introduced additional train lines to Zagreb from Sisak, Karlovac, Ivanić-Grad, Koprivnica, and Zabok.

In the Kajzerica neighborhood, József Antall Street next to the Hippodrome and a section of Damir Tomljenović-Gavran Street under the Most slobode bridge were first closed to private vehicles (except residents) on 18 June, and later to ZET buses on 23 June.[7] Josip Rassel Street was also closed during that time. From 28 June to 6 July, the eastern parking lot of the Zagreb Fair was also closed.[7]

On 27 June, the City of Zagreb published a traffic closure plan for the area around the Hippodrome, divided into three phases.[7][8][9]

The police activated phase III of temporary traffic regulation after the concert, during the night from Saturday to Sunday.[5]

Service Organization

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Three telecom operators carried out extensive technical preparations ahead of the concert to strengthen the mobile network for the event.[10] Emergency medical care was provided by 250 employees[11] of out-of-hospital emergency medical service deployed inside and outside the Hippodrome and Bundek, and a field hospital with 200 hospital beds and medical equipment was set up in the Velesajam area.[12] The Croatian Institute of Public Health (Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo) issued health recommendations for visitors ahead of the concert.[13] In the area of the Hippodrome, Bundek, Savska and Selska roads, Većeslav Holjevac Avenue, and Vukovarska Street, about 40 hydrants were equipped with drinking water taps, and seven tankers[7] provided by the Water Supply and Drainage Company (Vodoopskrba i odvodnja) were available.[14] The Zagreb City Pharmacy (Gradska ljekarna Zagreb) extended the working hours of ten of its branches on July 5.[15]

By the end of the concert, emergency medical services performed 133 interventions, with no cases of life-threatening conditions. At the temporary field hospital, 112 people were treated, and 24 were transported to Zagreb hospitals. Deputy director of the Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine Damir Važanić stated that most interventions were related to syncopes, while several cases involved alcohol poisoning, epileptic seizures, cardiac rhythm disorders, and chest pain.[16]

The police reported that 123 persons were detained, 111 of whom for possession of pyrotechnics, others for disturbing public order. A total of 121 pyrotechnic items were confiscated.[5]

There were no delays or disruptions in Zagreb Airport, rail, and road traffic after the concert.[5]

Schedule

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Queue to the entrance of the Hippodrome on Većeslav Holjevac Avenue

The area of the Zagreb Hippodrome was opened at 16:00. The concert started at 21:00 and ended around midnight.[17]

The repertoire lasted three hours with 30 songs,[17] and Perković announced and released before the concert a new album Hodočasnik with 12 songs, the first after a ten-year hiatus.[18] Alongside Perković performed drummer and producer Mario Klarić and keyboardist Branimir Jovanovac (from the band Opća opasnost), who were new members of the band;[19] guitarist Ivan Ivanković, with Thompson since 2013; Ante Padovan, who is also the arranger on the latest album "Hodočasnik"; Petar Buljan from the group "Božja pobjeda" and producer Branimir Mihaljević.[20] The backing vocals were performed by the Palić sisters: Djordjija, Elizabeta, Kornelija, and Mihaela Karla Palić.[21]

Set list

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The song list leaked to the media unexpectedly one day before the performance,[22] and that was the actual set list during the concert.

Concert Progress

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Before the concert started, Thompson and band members prayed backstage. The Prayer and prayer address was led by Petar Buljan, accompanying musician and member of the group "Božja pobjeda".[23]

Thompson was dressed in a shirt with the number 03941158, which was the prison number of Zvonko Bušić.[24] Around his neck he wore a Saint Benedict Medal, and on his feet were the "zenge" ankle boots worn by defenders of Vukovar.[25]

The concert began at 9 PM with scenes and music from several Thompson songs displayed on video screens. The first song was Ustani iz sjene accompanied by fireworks.[26] After the second performed song Ravnoteža, Marko Perković Thompson addressed the audience for the first time. He started with the religious greeting “Praise Jesus and Mary,” thanked the audience for coming, greeted guests from other countries, and called for Europe to return to its Christian roots.[27]

Bishop Ante Ivas in retirement recited a prayer at the beginning of the song Maranatha: “Come Lord, those born in family love may live and grow happily in your blessing, in freedom, peace, and faith of the Croatian people. Maranatha, come Lord. Strengthen youthful hearts, firm their hands on oars so that through earthly hardships they may row to heavenly harbors.”[28]

During the song “Only love is the secret of two worlds,” two marriage proposals happened in the audience.[29]

During the song Bojna Čavoglave, Thompson started with the salute Za dom spremni. The audience lit a large number of flares.[30]

The last song was Lijepa li si. After it, Thompson addressed the youth with a speech, among other things saying: “Take over Croatia completely, make it proud and beautiful as in dreams.”[31]

Drone show

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The event included a coordinated use of 1,000 drones that displayed religious and national symbols, as well as significant quotes.[32]

One thousand drones participated in this spectacle, making it the most complex technological undertaking in the field of public events in Croatia.[citation needed] The complexity of the production required the engagement of 50 members of the expert team, and the organizer told Nova TV "that such a large show is rarely done worldwide because it is an extremely technologically demanding situation, many drones, many people."[32]

Coordination between a large number of drones and the presence of half a million people posed a special challenge. Between the two parts of the show, it was necessary to replace battery packs within 15 minutes, requiring precise logistical organization.[33]

First Drone Show

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The opening part of the show focused on religious themes, with drones forming in the sky:[34]

Second Drone Show

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View towards the stage during the performance of the song "Oluja"

The second part of the program was dedicated to Operation Storm, accompanied by the title song by Thompson. Visual elements included:[35]

The show combined aerial visual effects with additional multimedia elements. A clip of a speech by Franjo Tuđman was shown on the video wall, which is an integral part of Thompson's song "Oluja".

Reactions

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At the soundcheck one day before the concert, besides several hundred visitors on the Bridge of Freedom, the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković with his children, Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved were present.[36] Thompson gifted the Prime Minister the album Hodočasnik, while the ministers received specially crafted medallions.[36]

The concert was supported by journalist Velimir Bujanec,[37] national football team coach Zlatko Dalić,[38] singers Miroslav Škoro[39] and Radojka Šverko[40], Minister Davor Božinović,[41] some members of the Croatian Government[42] and others.[43] Several politicians attended the concert itself:[44][45] Speaker of the Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ivan Penava, representatives Nikola Grmoja and Miro Bulj, former Minister Zdravko Marić, and former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša.[46] Croatian footballer Mateo Kovačić came accompanied by his wife.[47]

On the Croatian political scene, the concert was condemned by Jadranka Kosor, Dalija Orešković, Anka Mrak Taritaš, and others,[43] as well as some public figures such as Severina, Darija Lorenci, and Marko Bošnjak.[48]

Media

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From Friday July 4 to Sunday July 6, the First and Second programs of Croatian Radio and Radio Sljeme continuously followed the events around Thompson's concert at the Hippodrome live. They broadcast information about traffic, public transport, and parking. Reporters gave updates day and night.[49]

Before the concert, many Croatian print and electronic media published articles about the possible collapse of the healthcare system, security, and Traffic[50][51][52] possibility of deaths and injuries and stampedes,[53] and journalist Nataša Škaričić initiated a petition to ban Thompson's concert.[54][55]

South 2 entrance to the concert; Croatian flags and two HOS flags are hung on the fence, next to the entrance is a poster "Antifascism is..."

Before the concert, posters with the inscription "Antifascism is the greatest concept in the world," referring to Thompson's concert, called "the greatest concert in the world," were placed throughout New Zagreb. They were located near the Zagreb Fair, near the extension of Islandska Avenue and Većeslav Holjevac Avenue, as well as along Jadranska Avenue.[56] The author was initially unknown, but the day after the concert, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights revealed that they were behind the posters. They intended to "remind that modern Croatian statehood was founded in opposition to the proclamation of the NDH, i.e., against fascism and Ustasha," with which the Initiative associates "the behavior of the singer and the audience."[57]

Associated Press, reporting on the concert, wrote that Perković is a "right-wing oriented singer known for affinity to the pro-Nazi puppet regime from World War II."[58] German-speaking media Deutsche Welle, 20minuten, Focus, and Heute also commented on Perković's alleged ties to the extreme right and fascism, as well as previous bans of concerts in other European countries.[59] Alleged ties to the Ustasha movement were also mentioned by Slovenian and French newspapers, as well as by the The Jerusalem Post and Kurir[60] and other Serbian media.[61]

References

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  1. ^ Thompson's concert officially sold out! Over half a million people expected at the Hippodrome showbuzz.dnevnik.hr, retrieved 8 April 2025.
  2. ^ Thompson tickets being massively resold online 24sata.hr, retrieved 8 April 2025.
  3. ^ Major security challenges in organizing the Hippodrome concert totalinfo.hr, retrieved 8 April 2025.
  4. ^ Index Magazin (2025-07-05). "Thompson performed at the Hippodrome, organizers claim there were 504,000 people". index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  5. ^ a b c d Video: Information from the task force on security measures for the MPT concert mup.gov.hr, Ministry of the Interior of Croatia, published 5 July 2025.
  6. ^ "The spectacle ends: Half a million people sang with Thompson" (in Croatian). Hrvatska radiotelevizija. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  7. ^ a b c d "Jutarnji list – Street next to the Hippodrome to be closed, even buses banned from Monday". jutarnji.hr (in Croatian). 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  8. ^ "Concert at the Hippodrome – public transportation plan". zet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  9. ^ July 2025, For the period from 4 to 6 July (2025-07-02). "Marko Perković Thompson concert". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved 2025-07-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Telecoms about Thompson's concert: Networks are being strengthened, but congestion is possible magazin.hrt.hr, published June 16, 2025.
  11. ^ At Thompson's concert, 250 health workers engaged vijesti.hrt.hr, HRT, published June 27, 2025.
  12. ^ Due to Thompson's concert, increased engagement of emergency medical services vijesti.hrt.hr, published June 20, 2025.
  13. ^ Health recommendations before the concert at Zagreb Hippodrome – July 5, 2025 hzjz.hr, Croatian Institute of Public Health
  14. ^ Expanded availability of drinking water on July 5 at 47 points near the Hippodrome vio.hr, Water Supply and Drainage
  15. ^ Exceptional working hours due to the concert on Saturday, July 5 gljz.hr, Zagreb City Pharmacy, published July 2, 2025.
  16. ^ "Emergency teams performed 133 interventions at Bundek and Hippodrome" (in Croatian). Croatian Radiotelevision. 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  17. ^ a b "The spectacle ended: Half a million people sang with Thompson" (in Croatian). Croatian Radiotelevision. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  18. ^ Thompson's manager revealed: "The concert at the Hippodrome will last three hours" tportal.hr Accessed April 8, 2025.
  19. ^ "Goran Belošević supported colleagues who will perform with Thompson". www.24sata.hr (in Croatian). 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  20. ^ Known names: Here's who will perform with Thompson at the Hippodrome! mnovine.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  21. ^ Palić sisters: Meet the most famous Croatian backing vocalists gloria.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  22. ^ Is this the list? The set list of songs Thompson will sing with the audience tomorrow is spreading tportal.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  23. ^ Before going on stage, they bowed their heads in prayer book.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  24. ^ Thompson wears the number 03941158 on his shirt, here’s what it means vecernji.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  25. ^ Special "zenge" made for Thompson. He wore them at the concert, here’s the story behind the boots... 24sata.hr Accessed July 7, 2025
  26. ^ Spectacular start of Thompson’s concert! See the first scenes from the Hippodrome showbuzz.dnevnik.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Thompson from the stage: Let us return to our tradition, our roots index.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  28. ^ What kind of prayer was prayed at Thompson's concert index.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  29. ^ A proposal happened at Thompson's concert – the video is beautiful! zagorje-international.net.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  30. ^ Thompson fans went wild on the first beats, flare show started after the shout dnevnik.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  31. ^ Thompson’s concert ended with a significant message; before that, madness broke out because of these three words story.hr Accessed July 7, 2025.
  32. ^ a b A thousand drones performed an unprecedented show in Croatia for the first time, revealed details novilist.hr Accessed July 6, 2025.
  33. ^ Revealed details about the drone show at Thompson's concert tportal.hr Accessed July 6, 2025.
  34. ^ Religious spectacle with drones delighted the Hippodrome: This has never been seen before, Interior Ministry also commented direktno.hr Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  35. ^ One thousand drones at Thompson's concert took off to form Our Lady, cross, the word "Oluja"... novilist.hr Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  36. ^ a b Šaponja, Antonela. Plenković and two ministers arrived at Thompson's rehearsal: They received a specially made medallion 24sata.hr, published July 4, 2025.
  37. ^ M.D. (2024-08-10). "Bujanec showed why Thompson bothers some in Croatia: 'Look, Marko bothers just for that'". Dnevno.hr. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  38. ^ Narod.hr (2025-07-05). "Coach Dalić shared the atmosphere from Thompson's concert, Štimac also arrived". narod.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  39. ^ Igor Bobić (2025-07-04). "Škoro: Thompson did not invite me to the concert but regardless I would go hear him live, but I can't because of anaphylactic shock!". Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  40. ^ Radojka Šverko sent a message to Thompson and his wife: 'Who thinks otherwise is wrong!' slobodnadalmacija.hr, published July 5, 2025.
  41. ^ B. Stilin (2025-07-06). "Božinović on Thompson's concert: Celebration of unity, love, and homeland". tportal.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  42. ^ Penić, Goran; Špoljar, Marko. We find out which members of the Croatian Government are coming to Thompson's concert: ‘I went even when many others didn’t...’ jutarnji.hr, published July 2, 2025.
  43. ^ a b Index Vijesti (2025-07-05). "Reactions to Thompson: "I'm ashamed that songs about slaughter and killing echo through Zagreb"". index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  44. ^ Božena Matijević (2025-07-03). "Here's which politicians are going to Thompson's concert, one surprised with his answer: 'I waited for tickets eight hours'". Večernji list. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  45. ^ DNEVNIK.hr (2025-07-05). "Thompson's concert: Half a million people, flares, Our Lady and ZDS at the Hippodrome". Dnevnik.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  46. ^ "Janez Janša came to Thompson and caused outrage in Slovenia: 'Shame for the country'". Večernji list. 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  47. ^ Even crutches did not stop Mateo Kovačić from coming to Thompson's concert showbuzz.dnevnik.hr, published July 6, 2025.
  48. ^ N. Sa (2025-07-05). "Famous Croats reacted to Thompson's concert: 'A wonderful kind of world. What was it again? Patriots?'". tportal.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  49. ^ HRT commented on the broadcast of Thompson from the Hippodrome: They revealed details direktno.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  50. ^ Tomašević appeals to citizens: "Zagreb struggles with this anyway" dnevnik.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  51. ^ Zagreb faces traffic collapse, HAK issued warning before Thompson's concert: "Biggest crowds expected..." dnevnik.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  52. ^ Counting down to Thompson's concert, and two main problems are unresolved: "That would help those coming from the south!" slobodnadalmacija.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  53. ^ Will we celebrate "Thompson's" in the coming years? After last night's spectacle, the decision is his alone... slobodnadalmacija.hr
  54. ^ Communists and Masons are setting up Thompson: They have only one final goal dnevno.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  55. ^ Journalist initiated petition: Cancel Thompson if it threatens healthcare availability nacional.hr Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  56. ^ "Jumbo posters appeared in Zagreb before Thompson's concert: 'The greatest concept...'". 24sata.hr (in Croatian). 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  57. ^ Romana Kovačević Barišić (2025-07-06). "The authors of the antifascism posters revealed: In their appeal, they called on institutions to act". Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  58. ^ Index Vijesti (2025-07-06). "World media write about Thompson's concert". index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  59. ^ "German media: "Extreme right-wing star has the largest concert in history"". N1 (in Croatian). 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  60. ^ "World media wrote extensively about Thompson, Serbian media 'on the brink': 'Scandalous, Ustashas roam Zagreb'". net.hr (in Croatian). 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  61. ^ "INCREDIBLE: See what Serbian media wrote about the spectacle at the Hippodrome". Večernji list (in Croatian). 2025-07-06. Retrieved 2025-07-06.

See also

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References

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