The summer is always filled with incredible conferences and festivals, putting a spotlight on up and coming international talent and providing a platform for engaging dialogue. Topping the summer off, The Orchard made a stop at Moscow Music Week in Russia. Taking place August 30-September 2, the four-day event brought in good conversation with 40 guest speakers, 30 showcases featuring 120 artists, and a fun happy hour hosted by your friends at The Orchard.
A local music and culture scene comparative to Berlin, Moscow introduced a new wave of Russian bands during the week’s festivities. Bol’ Festival Showcase, hosted within the week, is a true underground festival in Russia, bringing to the stage a new post-soviet generation of young bands with a bit of a dark ‘suburbs decadence’ vibe. The festival (which literally means Pain Festival) introduces many emerging foreign artists to the local market, including RDS Records’ Garage lo-fi rock Ssshhhiiittt! and rapper Na Litso.
Austria-based singer-songwriter with Russian roots, Princesse Angine (also known as Xenia Ostrovskaya) performed at the Girls Are Singing Showcase. Princesse Angine started diving into music in 2010. Since then she’s worked with different collaborators and has actively been touring, introducing a new string quartet and rhythm sound to fans. Expect new music from the Princesse soon.
Hyperboloid Records, an experimental electronic label based in Russia, hosted a showcase featuring performances by RAUMSKAYA and Bad Zu. Bad Zu most recently released his first full-length album called Zupreme. That’s Zupreme with a Z.
As The Quietus’ Lottie Brazier put it, “[Moscow Music Week proved] there’s certainly more to Moscow than its DJ scene, with its post-punk, noise, rock and free jazz artists all enlivening the city and beyond with sounds that despite being dissimilar in terms of genre have a collective sense of explosiveness and urgency.”
Thank you Moscow Music Week for a wonderful time and bringing new talent to the forefront!
