Saturday, 4 August 2012

monsters of rock, russia

Moscow, Russia, 28 September 1991. During an already unstable time in Russia due to unwelcome reforms by Mikhail Gorbachev a one day concert was arranged at the Tushino Airfield just outside of Moscow. The event was preceded by clashes between the KGB and young Russians making a stand against the oppression and propaganda with a few paying the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

The concert allowed the youth culture to express their freedom and enjoyment of music, including some big name western bands. The event was free and open to everyone with an estimated turn out of 500,000 people but in response to the huge numbers of people enjoying this sense of freedom, thousands of soldiers and police were deployed to keep the crowds in check. Although the concert seems to start with a volatile atmosphere between the young fans and those keeping them in check, the end of the day saw some of the soldiers revolting by taking off their uniforms and becoming one with crowd.
If you think concerts these days have become too regulated, check this out. Here is a fantastic video of local band E.S.T. with an appropriately titled track, Bully