The three-day rock festival Chernozem, which had become a fixture in Voronezh, did not run in 2024. Local outlets, including Vesti Voronezh, reported the pause, while details about the decision were not publicly disclosed.
Officials have not clarified whether the festival is temporarily on hold or permanently canceled. The prevailing media narrative points to a combination of constraints, notably a shortage of performing rock acts and heightened security considerations, as possible factors behind the postponement or cancellation.
In 2022, Chernozem faced controversy when the rock band Splin dedicated a song to artists who left Russia. That incident preceded a wave of tour cancellations for some acts, contributing to a tense climate around the event in subsequent years. The 2023 edition, however, returned to life in Voronezh and drew a sizable crowd near Grad City Park. The event showcased about 50 groups and performers, among them Crematorium, Picnic, Melnitsa, Kipelov, Garik Sukachev, Gleb Samoilov, Nike Borzov, Neuromonk Feofan, Birtman, and others. The festival’s emblem for that year featured a sculpture from Novovoronezh known as Alenka, originally created in 2020 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the village of Novaya Alenovka in Novovoronezh.
Chernozem has been held in Voronezh since 2021, marking a shift from its earlier location in Tambov, where the festival ran from 2015 until the move. The Voronezh edition has become a magnet for fans of hard-edged guitar tunes, gritty vocals, and a robust, outdoor concert atmosphere that draws people from across the region and beyond.
As listeners look for future updates, organizers and participants continue to navigate a landscape shaped by changing artist lineups, logistical challenges, and community sentiment. The enduring appeal of Chernozem lies in its ability to bring together diverse rock subgenres under one banner, offering a snapshot of the Russian rock scene as it evolves in real time. The decision in 2024 will likely be interpreted in the context of prior years, with fans awaiting official announcements that will outline plans for 2025 and beyond. The episode also underscores how regional festivals adapt to shifting public interest, security considerations, and the broader cultural dynamics at play in central Russia. [Source attribution: Vesti Voronezh]