Alexander Ivanov and the Rondo Band

No matter how much they try to convince you that the era of Russian rock sunk into the abyss years ago, Alexander Ivanov and his group Rondo continue to blow this myth to smithereens. If it were true, they wouldn’t be selling out shows left and right, and the words from “My Unkind Rus” and “Pale Barman” wouldn’t be ingrained in the minds of millions. Come see for yourself on 7 May at Casino Sochi.

The rock legend’s path to the stage was a winding one. Alexander trained in judo from an early age and dreamed of a career in sports. But that all changed during his national service, when, after putting together a regimental orchestra, he came to the realization that music was his true calling. In the mid-80s, Alexander was offered the vacant position of lead singer in the Moscow-based band Rondo, and within just a few years, the number of places they had performed expanded so much that they had given more than ten concerts in Alaska alone. The band was mentioned in the same breath as Western rock acts, and Ivanov himself was dubbed the “Russian Rod Stewart”. But true stardom didn’t come until the late 1990s, when the single “My God, What a Load of Nonsense” won a Golden Gramophone and forever became Alexander’s calling card song. Many of his songs possess a special energy and depth of meaning, but most importantly, they remain popular today, some 40 years later.

We know for sure that your May weekend needs the right soundtrack. So, get your spring cleaning done, get your old friends on the blower, and invite them to an Alexander Ivanov and Rondo concert. We’ll see you in Casino Sochi on 7 May. The programme starts at 20:30. Admission is free.

Bring along your Krasnaya Polyana Gaming Zone guest card and your passport (no photocopies). 18+. The organizer reserves the right to refuse entry on the day of the event.