Rock and Rockets. The summer appears to be the best time for music lovers to enjoy that quintessential summer activity music festivals. Luckily, Russia is no different from the rest of the world and also hosts a series of incredible festivals over the summer. Seeing a music festival in Russia is an amazing and unforgettable experience. In July thousands of rock fans gather on a giant field in Tver Region, south of Moscow, for Nashestviye rock festival. Organisers of the event, which brings together up to 170,000 people from across Russia, usually invite over 70 groups playing rock and a variety of other musical styles. Nashestviye is probably one of festivals uniting the best Russian rock bands. It organised by Nashe Radio station. It has been held annually since 1999 during the first weekend of July. Nashestviye has changed its venue several times: it was initially set in Ramenskoye, Moscow Region, but recently has moved northwest to Zavidovo, Tver Region. The festival's name is a play on words. It literally means 'invasion', but it is also derived from the name of Nashe Radio (meaning 'our radio') and could be looked upon as a portmanteau word made up of the word 'our' ('Hame') and 'march' or parade ('mecTBHe'). Journalists often call it 'Russian Woodstock' because they believe it looks and feels very much like The Woodstock Music & Art Fair (Ulster County, New York, United States), which was listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll'. Russia's most popular rock bands (Aria, Alisa, Korol i Shut, Agatha Christie, Nochnye Snaipery, Spleen), as well as bands from Ukraine and Belarus, such as Okean Elzy or Lyapis Trubetskoy participated in Nashestviye rock festival. Bands are not paid for participating in Nashestviye. The Nashestviye festival is used as a free promotion for them. Young and little known bands can participate mornings or, since 2005, on special small stages. Some of the bands that began their Nashestviye history in this way, namely Epidemia and Melnitsa, have recently started to play on the main stage. People who come to the festival live and sleen in tents. They seem ready to put up with the bad weather conditions the festival has experienced over the years, with a good deal of rain and mud You can see people of all age groups among festivalgoers. There are many children too love fooling around: there is a lot of shouting and laughter and everyone appears to be having fun. Though the noisiest have to be calmed down from time to time, parents and children get on really well with each other! they For all the visitors the festival is a great escape from a buzzing metropolis and a great opportunity to see Russia's key rock artists on one stage. There's a relaxed atmosphere there, Among rock fans hanging around you might see familiar faces or even bump into an old friend in the crowd .. what else is needed for a great weekend that will rock you? Nashestviye has featured military displays over the years, but they were usually limited to performances by the Russian Knights, the Russian Air Force aerobatic display team. In 2014, close to one of the stages and not far from the camping site there was an amusement park called Defending Russia with an impressive display of defence equipment. Many rockers had their pictures taken in front of huge, powerful tanks and rockets. You could also enjoy a flight in an air balloon, or try your hand at shooting in a multimedia shooting gallery. Children were eager to try the rides and attractions organised for them. On the second day of the festival there was a stunning aviation show by the aerobatic group Sokoly Rossii ('Russian Falcons'). This famous festival is worth a visit if you're looking for a good outdoor festival with a bit of adventure!
