The tradition is to gather family and friends on Saturday evenings. The capital continues to witness the preservation of exits on Saturdays.
On this very day of the weekend, the various bars are filled with artists, and the atmosphere differs depending on the music that is played and the people who are there.
The first Saturday of February in "Dit' e Nat'" started differently. Art Lokaj, accompanied by instrumentalists, was the headliner of the evening. "Use You", his first album, was the one that introduced the public to a musical journey with different colors and themes. Its essence is love, and the entire performance created such an atmosphere.
The "R&B Soul" genre project in "Dit' e Nat'" proved that Lokajt's 2019 work continues to be remembered. Even recruit new fans. Although almost 4 years have passed since the release, the melody and lyrics of the entire album sound like something new.
When the instruments took center stage, the enthusiasm of the performance caught everyone off guard. While the sound of Nesim Maxhun's tupans could be heard strongly, Ilir Bajri's keyboard playing softened the situation by giving it a special finesse. The "clash" between the guitar of Art Lokaj and Kejdi Barbullushi came out cool, when the song performed by Lokaj was accompanied by Arian Randobrava on the saxophone.
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It was the formation of Art Lokaj and "Killin' Quintet" that gathered many people in the space of the bar, while the closeness between the artists and the public kept it full. The evening seemed like a night among friends, when Ilir Bajri, Art Lokaj and others sat at the table with the attendees and were chatting. When the audience ran out of patience for songs, the artists came on stage, which, although it is meant to separate the audience and the performers, almost did not create such an image.
The soloist of the evening, who made this union of names dear to the audience, besides others, was also happy with this formation. It was the minimal line-up with which he sings his own songs, but it turned out to be successful in the end.
"Every night is different. The people are different, the bars, the band, the cities. I've been a part of 'live' for 16 years and it never gets stale. But tonight is pretty interesting, because I haven't played my songs in maybe 6 months, because I usually play them with a big band of 10 people. Now we have made a small lineup, we have a 50 percent discount. Today there are 5 of us", said Lokaj.
He was also pleased that even though he started the night as a solo artist, he did not sing the songs alone. While he was singing, the audience joined him as a chorus.
The bond between the local and the public is strong. He has proven this for more than a decade.
"Keep in mind that I don't have any other profession, even at night it's too boring for me to hang out, because I'm not used to it. Normally you can make contacts to go to any festival that you can even outside of Kosovo, which happened to us. So, it is good because it also keeps you in shape when you are active, you are in condition, for whatever performance you have, you are ready to perform. If you stay at home and don't make music, you start to doubt yourself", said Lokaj while explaining his presence in the pub scene.
Apart from Pristina, which is his home, he also performs abroad very often. He showed that he has such friendships not only with the public of his country, but also with those outside the borders.
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There is an audience that he recognizes and that forgives him a lot of enthusiasm.
"I like Shkodra a lot. In a bar where I play there are many people who love 'live' music. From the first song they are very supportive. Normal even in Tirana. So in Shkodër so far, of all the performances in the venues, there is a pretty good audience", Lokaj said.
But while Lokaj "loves" Shkodra and its public, the Shkodra native who was part of the band speaks with the same love for the Prishtina public.
"Prishtina is the best in the world. It awaits me as the best in the world. I come very often and have always had a good welcome. I have all of them friends, brothers and I have been invited many times to make music in "Dit" e Nat" and in different places. I played in Gjakovë and Gjilan, and it was always a good experience", said Kejdi Barbullushi.
He often becomes part of foreign formations with his guitar, performing in different countries. Despite this, it seems that above all he finds satisfaction in Albanian bands and near artists with whom he is friends as well as colleagues.
"It is a great pleasure, because we have a very good chemistry with Art. We've had it since the first time we played, because when played with two guitars at the same time, it brings a super 'clash'. So we have a great chemistry with Arti and it is always a pleasure to play his songs", said Barbullushi.
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Such evenings dedicated to music, with people who enjoy Saturday nights, are not rare for Art Lokaj. The frequency has not made each of them not special.
His album "Use You", which was the headline of the evening, with 8 songs, for the realization of which he did most of the work himself.
