While in Europe this trio is considered one of the best club projects of the year, most of the people who came to their concert on the last party of Stereoleto, were hearing their music for the first time. But the public fell in love with them from the first sight  It wasn’t just all about their irresistible singer and her charming voice, but about their unique and indescribable sound, one that musical critics try to describe as blip hop, r’n’b punk, click pop electronica, raga-tech, glitch pop amongst others. Anyway, their live show proved, as always, that the words don’t matter anyway when these guys are on stage with their new energetic program.

The music of Copy Cat Project, about which Pavel Polakov, the leader of the band, says that it initially appeals to both the beautiful and to alienation from reality, seemed to suit as well as quit the terrestrial. The guests holding their breathes didn’t just listen to the retro-futuristic sounds evoked from retro-futuristic looking instruments, they danced taking a break from the every-day routine and gain the strength to continue on into the night.

If anybody still had hard feelings towards the Scandinavian rock temperament, listening to the Danish Band, Who Made Who, certainly took care of that. The appearance of these three brave guys turned out to be pretty unexpected for most of the audience.  Few in attendance expected to see such hot and stylish men with such an alluring and sharp sound. The guys started off the concert by flirting with the audience, but when the third sample was on nobody could help but dance. Indefatigable Who Made Who showed that three guys having only a bass, a guitar, a drum machine and percussion instruments can completely destroy expectations.

The news that Ladytron is going to perform at the 5^th annual Stereoleto season was spread all over the city long time before their concert. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was the most anticipated music event of last summer. On the show night the entire venue was packed with fans, all dressed in black, looking pretty much like the band themselves.  Four identical figures stand on stage, Ladytron were known to perform in monochromatic military uniform-inspired outfits of black or olive drab, lending an edge of simplicity and asexuality to their stage presence.

Strangely enough warm and friendy concerts have become a rarity these days. While there are countless energetic guitar bands touring pretty regularly, it is getting harder and harder to hear high-quality heartfelt guitar tunes. Those who were at the concert of Brazzaville at Platform had a great chance not only to enjoy the simplicity and elegance of the music but also to participate in a concert. While the band was busy playing all of the audience’s musical requests-which were written on notes passed to the stage-David Brown, the vocalist of the band, broke into conversation whenever he heard any questions or statements. Thus, Brazzaville put the audience into the atmosphere of a light romantic fairy-tale which was centered around the natural charms of David Brown and the performance of a long-awaited remake of Star Called Sun by Kino.

To say that the performance of this beloved by romance lovers collective was spectacular is to say nothing. The stage decorated in milky tones, 10 musicians all dressed in white, inimitable sound of Argentine tango, mixed with dub, trip-hop, house and magic voice of their charming singer. Every tiny movement, every little sound brought to perfection, absorbed the public’s attention as they stood, enchanted, near the stage. Gotan Project opened the 5th Stereoleto season, and infected everyone with a dancing spirit that captured stayed around for the rest of this night and for the rest of Stereoleto season.

Bikini Machine, usually described as icons of retro-futuristic electro surf rock-n-roll, turned out to be really complicated guys. Their rich bright sound, hooligan look and aggressive performance created an atmosphere similar to an absurd French movie where everything is possible and nothing is forbidden. Five French musicians were changing places, playing different instruments all the time and mixing such un-mixable things as retro and futuristic sounds, reason and absurdity, drive and romance. Rock’n’roll, in a word.

Imagine 4 mix tables, 4 pair of hands, four attractive young men and unimaginable number of  samples connected in one music line. Well for the person who never saw their performance it could be hard to  imagine what it looks like. Those who were lucky enough to see them on stage   will not soon forget this amazing electronic performance.  These young Frenchmen surprised the audience with their sophisticated improvisations created with their extensive collection of sounds.  No one doubts that Birdy nam nam became one of the greatest  musical discoveries of the summer.

Cuban orchestra, Buena Vista Social Club, are living legends. In spite of a constantly changing line-up (a new pianist has recently appeared in the band; he is a little bit over 20 but he is already world renowned talent) the band maintains their originality. That’s why it’s not surprising that their only concert in Saint-Petersburg was such a great success. The concert hall was filled up both with old fans of the bands cheerful music and with those who came because of the well-known name of the band, and who fell in love after the first note. The most expressive action took place in the orchestra pit, where fans of Latin-American dances displayed their skills, swinging the glasses with rum Havana Club. Both Buena Vista Social Club and the audience improvised passionately getting lost in hot Cuban melodies. 

Most people wouldn’t have believed that Deus was planning to perform in Saint-Petersburg until they saw them on a stage; the band-very respected amongst independent-experimental music fans-rarely ever tours. But their hopes came true and the band played both very emotional and intimate concert. The audience was made up, not of random people, but only connoisseurs of  this unique band. Musicians pleased their fans by playing songs from their last album Pocket Revolution and with performing their old hits.