Sian Evans and band brought a quarter-century of hits to Tvornica Kulture, where a devoted crowd sang happy birthday on the eve of her birthday
Kosheen returned to Zagreb last Thursday, and the city welcomed them like old friends. The band played Tvornica Kulture, the Culture Factory, on 8 October 2026 as part of their 25th anniversary European tour. By the end of the night, a well-filled hall had danced through the hits and sung happy birthday to lead singer Sian Evans.
Croatian music site Sound Report summed up the mood in its headline, calling Kosheen “Zagreb’s well-kept secret”. Its review opened with a playful line about the singer: “Sian Evans, the unshakeable force of Wales, landed in Zagreb and is seriously thinking about buying property here, because judging by her encounters with our audience so far, Zagreb could very easily become her second home.” Meanwhile, 24sata reported that the band filled Tvornica Kulture.
That affection clearly runs both ways. As the reviewer put it, “we too, it seems, have become dangerously hooked on this Welsh queen of drum and bass rhythms, who proves time and again that years, kilometres and the odd technical problem cannot stand in the way of a good dose of dance-floor madness.” (All Sound Report quotes in this article are translated from Croatian.)
A birthday night at Tvornica Kulture
The show began just after 9pm. According to Sound Report, the crowd was mostly a more mature audience, the kind of fans who have grown up with Kosheen over the past two decades. Sian opened with Damage, before leading the room through the band’s catalogue.
Early sound issues did nothing to slow her down. The review described her as “in a good mood and full of energy”, adding that she “seemed unfazed by the initial technical difficulties with the sound and looked as though she could easily play another concert as soon as this one finished.”
The standout moment came when the audience turned the tables on the band. Sian was born on 9 October, so the Zagreb show fell on the eve of her birthday. In response, “the whole hall readily sang happy birthday to Sian,” the reviewer wrote, “and that moment was exceptionally sweet.” For a band celebrating 25 years on stage, it was a fitting touch.
The Kosheen setlist: classics that still hit hard
As the night went on, the atmosphere grew hotter. The second half leaned on the songs that made Kosheen’s name in the early 2000s. Sound Report highlighted “the good old All in My Head, (Slip & Slide) Suicide, Hide U and Catch”, and said the crowd danced to them wholeheartedly.
Those tracks carry real weight. Resist, the 2001 debut album, went platinum and introduced the band’s blend of breakbeat, drum and bass and emotive songwriting. Kokopelli followed in 2003 and also reached the UK Top 10. Notably, All in My Head and Hide U were both UK Top 10 singles, so the Zagreb crowd heard the band’s biggest moments live.
Not every favourite made the cut, however. The reviewer noted that Empty Skies and Hungry were missing this time. She also recalled that Sian had previewed a new song at Zagreb’s Boogaloo club in September 2025, but that track did not feature on this setlist.
Four Zagreb shows in five years
Croatian media have long described Kosheen as favourites of local audiences, and the numbers back that up. “Four Zagreb shows in five years are no small thing,” Sound Report wrote, hoping “this musical connection of ours” will continue.
The review closed with its verdict: “One thing is certain, Kosheen are still an unstoppable force on stage, still have a loyal audience across Europe and still manage to take us back to the carefree days of the 2000s when their hits ruled the dance floors.” It then added: “Kosheen may be a somewhat forgotten name of the 2000s for the wider public, but Zagreb clearly keeps its secrets well, and it seems it has no intention of giving them away so easily.”
Kosheen’s sound has also aged well. In 2025, the band released Reworks, which gave Hide U and Catch fresh arrangements and modern remixes. As a result, the catalogue now speaks to two audiences at once: fans who heard the originals first time round, and younger listeners finding them now.
The line-up behind the Kosheen live show
Since 2019, Kosheen have performed with a refreshed line-up. Founding vocalist Sian Evans remains the heart of the band. Alongside her, producer Ron McElroy shapes the electronic side of the show, while drummer Mitchell Glover drives the live energy.
That set-up matters on stage. A live drummer gives breakbeat tracks a physical punch that a laptop set cannot match. Sian, in turn, brings the emotional pull that turned Hide U and Catch into anthems.
A landmark season for Tvornica Kulture
The show also landed during an important season for the venue. For 27 years, Tvornica Kulture has shaped Zagreb’s music and cultural calendar. In September, it unveiled a new d&b audiotechnik sound system across both of its halls, the same V-series system the company has installed at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Kosheen sit within a strong autumn programme there. The new season features GusGus, Autechre, Nazareth, New Model Army and Suede, with Kim Wilde and DAF already confirmed for 2027. In other words, Kosheen shared the calendar with some of the most respected international acts touring the region.
Why heritage acts are winning in the live music market
The Zagreb show reflects a wider trend. Anniversary tours have become one of the most reliable formats for promoters, particularly across Central and Southeast Europe. Audiences want artists with proven catalogues, and they will buy tickets early to see them.
However, a successful heritage booking needs more than a famous name. The act must still deliver on stage, and the city must already care. Kosheen tick both boxes in Zagreb. Artists with strong live reputations and a loyal regional fanbase often outperform acts with bigger streaming numbers but weaker stage shows.
How the Kosheen Zagreb show came together
MN2S secured the Kosheen booking for Tvornica Kulture and announced the date back in March. The fit was obvious from the start: a much-loved act with a devoted Croatian following, a newly upgraded venue and a milestone anniversary to celebrate. MN2S connected the dots and made it happen.
The result was a warm, energetic night, strong local press coverage and a birthday singalong the band will not forget. Zagreb, it seems, is in no hurry to let go of Kosheen.
Looking to book Kosheen or other live acts for your venue, festival or event? Explore the MN2S talent roster to find the right artist for your audience.