Forty years of music, countless memories, and songs that have become part of the personal history of generations, Neno Belan is a name associated not only with hit songs, but with the emotions that have outlived them. From the days of the iconic Đavoli, through a rich solo career, to his collaboration with the band Fiumens, Belan has remained faithful to simplicity, sincerity, and melodies that endure.
On Thursday, March 6, Neno Belan returns to the stage of BitefArtCafe, a venue where his concerts have grown into a tradition over the years. It will be an evening dedicated to songs that have accompanied us through different stages of life, to emotions that have not faded, and to a face-to-face encounter between the audience and the performer.
Over four decades, Neno Belan has created music that has become part of the lives of many generations throughout the entire region. Hits such as “Vino noći,” “Stojin na kantunu,” “Rijeka snova,” “Dotakni me usnama,” and “Pričaj mi o ljubavi” marked an era, but have become timeless, remaining just as beloved to this day.
Ahead of the concert, we spoke with Neno Belan about his relationship with the Belgrade audience, the power of club performances, the emotions that deepen over time, and why live music today may be more valuable than ever.
You’ll soon be performing at BitefArtCafe, a club regarded as one of the most significant live music venues in Belgrade. How do you see this concert and the venue itself?
I see BitefArtCafe as a place with soul and continuity. It’s a club where music is truly listened to, not just consumed, and you can feel that immediately. Such spaces are rare and precious because they preserve the idea of live performance as an encounter, not just an event to be “get it over with”. That’s why this concert is especially dear to me, it feels like a return to the essence.
Your music has been present on the regional scene for years and has a strong connection with the audience. How would you describe your relationship with the Belgrade audience today?
The Belgrade audience has always had a special sensibility, open, emotional, and very sincere in their reactions. That connection hasn’t faded over the years; on the contrary, it seems to me that today it is even warmer and more mature. There is a mutual trust: they know what to expect from me, and I know they will listen with their hearts.
Club concerts offer a different kind of intimacy. What does performing in a more intimate space mean to you compared to large halls and festivals?
Club concerts strip away all the excess layers. There’s no distance, no barrier, only the song, the voice, and the audience’s reaction. It’s a very honest and somewhat raw experience, but that’s exactly what makes it so beautiful. In a club, every emotion is visible.
Your songs have endured through decades and are listened to by different generations. What do you think makes them lasting and recognizable?
I believe the key is simplicity and sincerity. Songs that stand the test of time aren’t the ones that follow trends, but those that speak about emotions that never change: love, longing, joy, the passage of time. If people still see themselves in them after twenty or thirty years, then the songs have truly done their work.
Emotion is a powerful element in your music. How has your approach to emotions in songwriting and performing changed over the years?
Over the years, I’ve learned that emotion doesn’t have to be explicit to be strong. In the past, I may have expressed it more directly; today, I trust it more and let it breathe. Emotion now comes from experience, from the silence between the lines, from the way I look at the audience.
How does your creative process look today, and where do you find inspiration for new songs?
The process is slower now; I don’t write on demand, but wait for the moment when I have something to say. Inspiration comes from everyday situations, conversations, travels, but also from the inner changes we all go through over time. The song has to come on its own, I just welcome her with the open heart.
In today’s era of speed and digital content, what role do you think live concert music plays?
Live concerts may be more important today than ever. In a world where everything is available at the click of a button, live music remains a rare experience that cannot be repeated or rewound. It is a moment of true presence, both for the audience and the performer.
What is your message to the audience that has followed you for years, as well as to those who may be hearing you live for the first time?
Thank you for your trust and for the time you share with me and my music. To those coming for the first time, I say: relax and let yourself be carried by the evening. To those who have been here for years, know how much your loyalty means to me. See you, face to face.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of an unforgettable night at BitefArtCafe, filled with music that has resonated for 40 years.
Date: March 6, 2026
Doors open: 8:30 PM
Concert starts: 10:00 PM