Despite recent outcry against holidays allegedly forced upon us by the West, this is going to be a weekend of love. We realize love comes in all shapes and sizes, so here's our pick of the best Valentine Day-themed concerts you can go to with your beloved, or just that someone you just met on Tinder.
British rockers The Vaccines will finally visit Moscow this Thursday. Their 2012 concert was canceled and it took them three more years to make it over here. Their best known song, "Post Break-Up Sex," is not exactly Valentine's Day material, but they are experts in all matters of heartbreak. Their third album, "English Graffiti," was released last year and some critics hailed as the best so far.
Yotaspace. 11 Ulitsa Ordzhonikidze. Metro Leninsky Prospekt. Tickets from 1900 rubles ($24). Thurs. at 8 p.m.
Jenia Lubich
Jenia Lubich is possibly the most romantic singer in modern Russia. She started out as one of the Nouvelle Vague singers but became famous as a solo artist with her English-language hit "Russian Girl." A native of St. Petersburg, Lubich will perform in Moscow on Friday. She sings in Russian, English and French and most of her songs are ballads about love and heartache. Combined with her upbeat humorous songs, this concert is sure to be a hit of the Valentine's weekend.
Concert Club. 50 Zemlyanoi Val. Metro Kurskaya, Chkalovskaya. Tickets from 800 rubles ($10). Fri. at 9:30 p.m.
Nina Karlsson
Nina Karlsson is another indie pop female act from St. Petersburg. She released her first album in English and her second in Russian, but this Friday she will present her new material. On her previous albums Nina mixed indie-rock, pop and jazz music into her own original style, which is sometimes compared to the 90's girl band Colibri. One thing you can count on is great tunes and upbeat mood — perfect to get you in the swing of Valentine's Day.
Mumy Troll Bar. 7 Tverskaya Ulitsa (Central Telegraph Building). Metro Okhotny Ryad. Free entrance. Fri. at 10 p.m.
Hospital
Hospital is one of the most successful English-language indie-rock bands in Moscow. They opened the night at major concerts in Moscow for everyone from Lana Del Rey to The Kooks and The Neighborhood. On Saturday they will throw a pre-Valentine's Day party at 16 tons. Their hits include songs with titles like "Lovergirl" and "Lust for You," which is basically everything you need for a gig date on Valentine's Day.
Sixteen Tons. 6/1 Ulitsa Presnensky Val. Metro Ulitsa 1905 Goda. Tickets from 400 rubles ($5). Sat. at 11 p.m.
Alina Os
On Sunday, Valentine's Day, check out up-and coming singer songwriter Alina Os at Powerhouse. Alina now performs with a full band and plays contemporary jazz with elements of rock, funk and hip-hop. Unlike most Moscow jazz artists, Alina Os performs original material with her own lyrics (in Russian). This will definitely be a treat for your special someone.
Dewar's Powerhouse, 7/4 Ulitsa Goncharnaya. Metro Taganskaya. Tickets 500 rubles ($6.50). Sun. at 8 p.m.
Contact the author at artsreporter@imedia.ru
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