Metallica (USA) @ Olympiisky Stadium April 24-25
After releasing their masterpiece “Master of Puppets” in 1986, tragedy struck the band when their tour bus crashed while traveling in Sweden. Burton died in the accident. When the band decided to continue, Jason Newsted was chosen to replace Burton; two years later, the band released the conceptually ambitious “…And Justice for All”, which hit [...]
Reel Big Fish (USA) @ GlavClub Jan. 15
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Reel Big Fish was originally a trio comprised of vocalist/guitarist Aaron Barrett, bassist Matt Wong, and drummer Andrew Gonzales. At that stage, the group was a conventional rock band with pop-metal leanings that covered both classic rock and Top 40 songs – essentially, it was music designed for frat parties. [...]
Oceana (Germany) @ B1 Maxiumum Dec. 25
From an early age it was clear which direction she would take. Oceana’s whirlwind path could not be stopped. Her mother started taking her to concerts as a young child. She saw big name artists including Ziggy Marley, Burning Spear, James Brown and she felt drawn to the stage, where she wanted to sing and [...]
The Orb (UK) @ GlavClub Dec. 19
Paterson’s ambient sets incorporated a wide array of samples and sound effects, ranging from BBC nature recordings to NASA space broadcasts and special effects. With those samples mixed underneath the music of ambient pioneers such as Eno and Steve Hillage, his sets became popular alternatives for dancefloor victims and worn-out club kids. The Orb’s first [...]
Xiu Xiu (USA) @ Gogol Dec. 19
Having performed together in previous groups IBOPA (the Indestructible Beat of Palo Alto) and Ten in the Swear Jar, Jamie Stewart and Cory McCulloch in 2000 formed their third collaborative effort, Xiu Xiu. An amalgam of various independent artists and friends, Xiu Xiu began its first tour in 2000. Prior to the 2002 release of [...]
Mumiy Troll (Russia) @ Milk Dec. 17-18
Mumiy Troll (pronounced Moo-me Troll) is undoubtedly the most influential Russian band since the fall of the Soviet regime. Mumiy Troll actually left their mark on rock history with startling albums and live performances bursting with energy, warmth and total debauchery. The band was formed in 1981 in Vladivostok by Ilya Lagutenko. The literal name [...]
Natalie Imbruglia (Australia) @ B1 Maximum Dec. 11
By mixing Lisa Loeb/Alanis Morissette-like singing with music that sounds similar to a more mainstream Portishead at times, Natalie Imbruglia became one of the biggest pop sensations in Europe. Born in Sydney, Australia, on February 4, 1975, Imbruglia was one of four sisters and grew up in a tiny beach town. After becoming a teen [...]
Whitney Houston (USA) @ Olimpiisky Sports Complex Dec. 9
Music historians cite Whitney’s record-setting achievements: the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits (”Saving All My Love For You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love Of All,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”); [...]
Biohazard (USA) @ B1 Maximum Dec. 8
Biohazard was one of the first bands to regularly incorporate elements of both hip-hop and hardcore metal into their sound; since their lyrical fare dealt with the harshness of urban life and the resulting anger and frustration, which both genres of music have been known to address, the connection only made sense, especially in light [...]
Jose Gonzalez (Sweden) @ Ikra Dec. 4
Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1978, Jose was bought up in a house that teemed with all kinds of music. His Argentine-born father’s natural taste for Latin American music was only rivalled by a penchant for American and UK pop classics – and the eclecticism rubbed off on his young son. After these fledgling dalliances, [...]
