Līvi is a Latvian hard rock and heavy metal band from Liepāja. Formed in 1976 by Juris Pavītols and Ēriks Ķiģelis, the ensemble originally performed as a pop rock group. The band released its debut EP, Aprīļa pilieni, in 1985. Following the death of Ķiģelis in 1985, the group was joined by Ainars Virga, who composed many of the ensemble’s best-known tracks including “Dzimtā valoda”. Their recording history featured the studio albums Līvi (1988) and Karogi (1994), the latter of which achieved double-platinum status. In 1994, the ensemble issued the album Spoku koks, which was recorded and mixed in a single night. During its career, the band performed tours across Northern Europe. Following a 2003 car accident that resulted in the deaths of drummer Dainis Virga and sound engineer Juris Jakovļevs, the group issued the tribute recording Pāri visam (2004). The ensemble disbanded in 2010 following the death of bassist Jānis Grodums but resumed activity in 2017. Their later recording history featured the studio albums Bez štepseļiem (2018) and Pluss mīnuss (2019).
