The legendary band “Antis” celebrates its 40th anniversary in Vilnius and Palanga: surprises await

It has been 40 years since the rock band “Antis” was formed in 1984. Celebrating this milestone properly is a must, so two concerts, just before the New Year, will feature the most iconic hits of “Antis.” Performed with a fresh, modern twist, yet retaining the unmistakable “Antis” spirit. The show will take place on December 28 in Vilnius at “Tamsta” club and on December 30 at “Vandenis” in Palanga.

The anniversary celebrations will feature the exceptional duo “KAnDIs,” consisting of Algirdas Kaušpėdas and Viktoras Diawara. Fans will have the chance to enjoy their unique musical collaboration, as well as the newly reimagined legendary hits of “Antis.” To mark the occasion, December will also see the release of a limited-edition double vinyl album Antis – 40: Greatest Hits.

Moreover, the journey through the band’s musical and cultural evolution—from bold Soviet-era performances to modern-day experiments—will be complemented by special guests. In Vilnius, for instance, the event will be hosted by Darius Užkuraitis. Former “Antis” drummer Linas Būda will perform on drums, and Vaclovas Augustinas, the band’s former keyboardist, will join on keys.

Band leader A. Kaušpėdas reflects that in the early days, he never dreamed their songs—both serious and lighthearted—would still be listened to and sung four decades later. Especially without the need for scandals or succumbing to commercial projects.

“We managed to remain proud and true to our values, never selling out. We grew as individuals, and none of us went off the rails. I’m not saying we were saints, but we avoided scandals and shone brightly only on stage. ‘Antis’ was never our primary source of income, so we were free to experiment and sing about whatever we wanted, to provoke. The band started as a joke, a way to spice up daily life, and now people say we made a revolution,” says Kaušpėdas.

Although “Antis” officially ended its musical journey in 2016 with farewell concerts at Trakai and Raudondvaris castles, their songs live on. Kaušpėdas created new versions of these songs together with Viktoras Diawara, forming the duo “KAnDIs.”

“We experienced joy together – recording and discovering, listening and laughing, remembering and sharing,” says Kaušpėdas about this collaboration. This joy, laughter, and memories will be shared during the special occasion of the “Antis” 40th-anniversary concerts in Vilnius and Palanga, just before the New Year. Tickets are available at Shownet.lt.

These concerts are organized by the M.P.3 music agency, which also invites you this year to the festive “Biplan” concert in December at “Tamsta” club, “Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys” New Year’s Eve shows in Palanga, and next year to the legendary “Scorpions” 60th-anniversary and only Baltic show in Riga, as well as the iconic U.S. rapper The Game’s concert at Vilnius’ “Compensa” hall.