- by croatiaweek
- March 14, 2026
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(Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
British rock legend Chris Norman delivered an unforgettable two-hour performance at Arena Zagreb on Friday night, delighting fans with a mix of timeless classics and new material.
The singer, best known as the original frontman of the iconic rock band Smokie, performed in Zagreb as a solo artist for the first time.
His last visit to the Croatian capital dates back to the early 1980s when he toured with the band during the height of their international success.
The evening opened with a nostalgic musical introduction by the vocal group Gelato Sisters, whose retro sound transported the audience back to earlier decades of popular music. Their lively stage presence set the tone for the night ahead.
Gelato Sisters (Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
The atmosphere continued to build as Croatian rock veteran Walter Neugebauer took to the stage with his band Rockin Neno & The Cadillac.
Their set included both original material and international rock classics, including a spirited performance of the famous song The House of the Rising Sun.
Rockin Neno & The Cadillac (Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
A highlight of the opening performances was Neugebauer’s rendition of Dok razmišljam o nama, sung partly in German and partly in Croatian. The song is widely known for its interpretation by Croatian music icon Josipa Lisac.
Supporting vocals were provided by country singer Lady Rajka (Rajka Sutlović), known for her work with the legendary band Plava trava zaborava. Young singer-songwriter Andrea Rakočević also joined the band on stage.
The concert also marked a personal milestone for Neugebauer, who organised the event as part of celebrations for his 80th birthday, offering the concert as a gift both to himself and to the audience.
When Chris Norman finally stepped onto the stage, he was greeted with loud applause from the packed arena. Fans quickly joined in as he launched into some of the best-known hits associated with Smokie, including Needles and Pins and Lay Back in the Arms of Someone.
Chris Norman (Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
The atmosphere reached another level during his performance of the global hit Stumblin’ In, which sparked a wave of excitement throughout the arena.
Norman also used the emotional energy of the evening to introduce songs from his newly released album Lifelines, which launched worldwide the same day.
Chris Norman (Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
The crowd listened attentively to the new material and responded warmly, though the familiar classics continued to generate the biggest reactions.
Crowd favourites such as Mexican Girl and Oh Carol once again had fans singing along.
At one point during the show, Norman invited the crowd to dance. Within seconds, fans surged towards the front of the stage, turning the previously seated arena floor into an impromptu dance floor.
Chris Norman (Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
The night reached its peak during the performance of Living Next Door to Alice. The arena was filled with dance moves reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that transported the audience back to the era when Smokie’s music dominated radio stations across Europe.
For a few hours, age seemed irrelevant as the crowd embraced the youthful energy of the music.
After several encores and nearly two hours on stage, Norman brought the concert to a close, much to the disappointment of fans who would happily have continued the night.
(Photo: Lovro Šurbek)
Yet the evening will be remembered for the infectious energy, heartfelt nostalgia and the strong connection between performer and audience.
With events like this, Zagreb continues to reinforce its reputation as a city capable of hosting major international music performances alongside Europe’s leading concert venues.
The concert was organised by Zagreb-based label Total Rock World Records.