A Moscow Weekend With Depeche Mode

It might not yet be the ideal sunny spring, but it is, however, looking like we're going to have an ideal sunny weekend! And because March 8, which is a public holiday, falls on a Saturday this year, we get to enjoy a luxuriously long weekend too! Monday will be a day off for most people, and with all the great concerts lined up, we're all going to need that extra day to recover. And just because it's Lent doesn't mean we have to give up the music — so let's see who's in town and worth checking out!

Friday is going to be a very special day. In an unexpected, but greatly appreciated move, Depeche Mode is coming back to Moscow, even though the band was just here last June. But tickets for their summer show sold out in minutes and scalpers made a small fortune. After all, Depeche Mode is a hugely popular band in Russia. Partly because of this, the guys decided to return to our fair capital, closing out their Delta Machine tour with a second performance in Moscow.

I remember my first encounter with Depeche Mode. I was about 5 or 6 years old, and I saw the band's logo graffitied on a brick wall not far from my house. When I came home and asked my parents what the words meant, they played me some of their music, and I've been a fan ever since. Their set list includes all-time favorites as well as songs from their latest album, and there is nothing they don't know about working the crowd, so the concert is guaranteed to be a big hit. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Olimpiysky Arena on Friday, March 7,, and tickets start at 2,000 rubles. There are still some available, so don't miss your chance to see these musical legends live!

Saturday, March 8, is known in Russia and some other countries as International Women's Day. Traditionally, that means you're going to see men with heaps of flowers all over town — but it also means there are some special events planned for the night!

One of the biggest club nights is planned for Space Moscow. The Russian cousin of this legendary Ibiza venue has teased Muscovites with some big names, including France's Bob Sinclair, Ultra Nate from the U.S., Rafha Madrid and AN21 from Spain. Arma17 is also playing host to some great DJs, including Dutchman Legowelt and Patrice Scott from the U.S. Expect a long, loud, techno and house-filled night at both venues.

For those looking for a more unique performance with some character, however, I'd suggest Emir Kusturica and The No Smoking Orchestra. As you probably know, Kusturica is an internationally acclaimed Serbian film director with two Palme d'Or awards to his name, among many others. But what you might not have known is that he is also a very talented musician and his concerts are always very popular in Moscow. The band's set list covers everything from folk Serbian motifs to covers of Deep Purple, and of course, one of their most popular tracks, "F*ck You, MTV," which the audience joins in for, so go check them out! Emir Kusturica and The No Smoking Orchestra take to the stage 8 p.m. at GlavClub on Saturday, March 8.

The theme of folk music continues into Sunday as well, because Pipes and Pints are in town. The band, which formed in Prague back in 2006, plays Celtic punk, making the most of punk rock and Highland bagpipes. They have released two albums to date, tour almost constantly, and in the words of the band members themselves, are looking forward to "making music until we die." Their beats are practically guaranteed to put you in a good mood, so grab some tartan, a pint or two and enjoy their show! Pipes and Pints will be playing at Plan B on Sunday, and the concert starts at 7 p.m. — don't be late!

All this excitement and we get Monday off to recuperate — I'm telling you, unless you're going on vacation somewhere warm and lovely, it does not get better than this. Just remember to buy the special women in your life some flowers, and have a fantastic weekend!