Live is Life

For the first time in Latvia, on July 26, the authors of the mega-hit “Live Is Life” will perform. The band OPUS will 'ignite' in Daugavpils

For the first time in Latvia, the European rock legends, the band OPUS, known for their bright and expressive performance style, earning them the nickname “Lighters,” will perform. The show will take place as part of the “Daugavpils Summer Dance” festival.

The Road to Success

The Austrian pop-rock band OPUS gained world fame thanks to their hit “Live Is Life,” but their journey to success began back in 1973. The band started by performing cover versions of songs by “Deep Purple,” “Colosseum,” and other famous bands. The original OPUS lineup included Kurt René Plisnjér (keyboards), Ewald Pfleger (guitar), and Walter Bachkönig (bass guitar). Soon, drummer Günter Grasmuck joined them, bringing the band closer to its characteristic sound.

The band started with small concerts in the Austrian regions of Burgenland and Styria, performing both cover versions and their own compositions. In 1978, OPUS organized the first Austrian rock festival, which became a significant event in the local music scene.

In 1979, vocalist Herwig Rüdisser joined the band, and in 1980, they released their debut album “Daydreams,” which showcased classical music influences. However, over time, OPUS focused on pop rock. In 1981, the album “Eleven” was released, bringing the band their first gold status in Austria, while the singles “Eleven” and “Flyin’ High” became European hits.

By 1983, OPUS had widely toured, playing 65 shows to more than 100,000 people. They participated in major festivals and entered the international scene for the first time. In 1984, the band recorded the album “Up and Down” and continued expanding their performance geography.

“Live Is Life” – A Triumphant Success

On September 2, 1984, during a concert dedicated to the band’s 11th anniversary, OPUS performed the song “Live Is Life,” which later became an international hit. In 1985, the song immediately topped charts worldwide and received gold and platinum awards more than 25 times. The band performed on iconic music shows like “Top Of The Pops” and MTV, and went on a world tour from Ibiza to South America. In Canada, OPUS received the prestigious “Juno” award for the Best Single of the Year.

Incredibly, but true: even after 40 years, the popularity of “Live Is Life” has not diminished. Currently, the most popular version of the song has over 245 million views on Spotify, and the most popular “Live Is Life” videos are played on YouTube up to 3 million times a day. On the TikTok platform, almost 700,000 videos from the three most popular versions of the hit have been posted, and the song is played approximately 700 times a day on world radio stations.

“Live Is Life” has become a popular anthem in broadcasts of major sports events. It was played before the opening match of the European Championship between Germany and Scotland, before Argentina national football team’s games, and before the summer Olympic Games in Paris.

OPUS continued to release new albums and go on tours. In 1992, OPUS recorded the album “Walkin’ On Air,” and in 1993, celebrated their 20th anniversary with a concert and the release of the anniversary album “Jubilee.”

In subsequent years, OPUS continued releasing new, extremely popular songs, such as “Just For Fun” (1996) and “Hands In The Air” (1997), and actively performed on international stages. In 1998, OPUS recorded the football anthem “VIVA AUSTRIA.”

The band has participated in significant musical events in Germany, Portugal, Italy, Brazil, and Austria. Their compilation “Flyin’ Higher,” which included ten new versions of “Live Is Life,” confirmed the band’s enduring popularity.

“Fire” on Stage

Today, OPUS remains one of the most iconic European rock bands, and their legendary hit “Live Is Life” continues to inspire listeners worldwide. The band continues to boldly experiment, especially by starting a collaboration with the popular Austrian band “The Schick Sisters,” which gave new impetus to their joint creativity. Their joint album “We are one” received recognition from OPUS fans worldwide.

In Daugavpils, as part of the “Daugavpils Summer Dance” festival, OPUS will perform together with “The Schick Sisters.” All legendary OPUS hits will be performed on stage, including, of course, the immortal “Live Is Life.”

As critics note, the band OPUS, thanks to their bright and expressive performance style, earned the nickname “Lighters.” Their live performance, characterized by direct communication with the audience, a wave of emotions, and a unique musical sound, will be an unforgettable concert of this summer.

The OPUS concert as part of the “Daugavpils Summer Dance” festival will take place on July 26, 2025, at the Daugavpils “Lokomotīve” stadium.

A pleasant BONUS for concert-goers will be the opportunity to enjoy performances by other world festival stars – the bands “Bad Boys Blue,” “Joy,” “Culture Beat,” and the incomparable Sabrina.