MARPO

Singer, drummer, and former boxer Otakar Petřina, known as Marpo, launched a brand-new solo project in 2025, bringing a fresh take on modern Southern country music to the Czech Republic.
Conceptually, the project builds on elements of country that had already begun appearing in his earlier work—but it wasn’t until the hiatus of TroubleGang that he fully shifted from rap to singing and embraced country as his new direction.

The highlight of this transformation is his tenth studio album, Making Country Music Cool Again, widely regarded as Marpo’s most mature work to date, both musically and lyrically.
That the “new Marpo” resonates with a broad audience is shown by glowing reviews of his 2025 summer live shows, two completely sold-out release concerts at Prague’s Roxy, rapidly growing streaming numbers, and even mainstream radio airplay—something once unimaginable for his music.

We’re excited to welcome Marpo to Friends Fest — and you should come see for yourself that yes, country can be cool.