Festival Spotlight: Kaverdrom Brings Rock Tributes to St. Petersburg and Moscow
Russia’s premier cover festival, Kaverdrom, continues its signature tradition of celebrating the power and versatility of rock and metal through live performances, fan favorites, and respectful tributes. This year the festival will light up two iconic cities, with events planned in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The schedule and lineup reflect a concert culture where classic tracks are reimagined for new audiences, keeping the spirit of legendary bands alive on modern stages.
The St. Petersburg leg is set for December 7, with the Ice Palace hosting a night of energetic homage and guitar-driven anthems. A parallel show will unfold in Moscow on December 9, taking place on the stage of the VK Stadium. These performances promise a blend of faithful renditions, high-energy reinterpretations, and moments that honor the lasting influence of metal and hard rock across generations.
One of the festival’s headline attractions is EASY DIZZY, an AC/DC tribute band that has earned official recognition from the original band itself. Their set will deliver the unmistakable crunch of classic AC/DC riffs, the punchy tempo of their rhythm section, and the swagger that fans associate with the legendary Australian group. In addition, the lineup will feature a tribute to Deep Purple, reimagined by a group that brings the classic late 60s and 70s sound into a modern stage setting, allowing new audiences to experience the depth and drama of the British rock era.
Beyond these high-profile tributes, the festival will present performances from acts paying homage to other cornerstones of rock history. Notably, Cactus Jack will honor Deep Purple through a dedicated set, continuing a tradition that links Belgrade’s live music scene with the broader European tribute circuit. The festival is structured to celebrate how iconic songs can be reinterpreted across different countries, with artists adapting to different acoustics and crowd energies while preserving the original energy that made these bands famous.
In addition to the main attractions, the event showcases a broader tapestry of tribute projects. The Metallica Motorbreath tribute group will deliver a set featuring the thrash-driven catalog of Metallica, echoing the intensity of their most celebrated albums. Likewise, Seattle Supersonics will offer Nirvana’s timeless catalog, re-creating the raw, restless spirit of the 1990s alternative scene with accuracy and passion. These performances underscore the festival’s aim: to connect fans with the sounds that defined whole generations while letting performers explore their artistry within a shared rock culture.
Earlier this year, a scheduled Moscow show by the band Leningrad met an abrupt change in plans. On September 14, organizers announced the cancellation of the concert, which had been slated for September 16 at the Luzhniki Sports Complex. The decision was attributed to factors beyond the organizers’ control, as stated by representatives of ARTLIF LLC, the event organizer. In the wake of that decision, Shnurov publicly acknowledged the cancellation and offered a reflective note on the unforeseen challenges that can affect large live productions. These developments highlight the unpredictable nature of live entertainment while underscoring the resilience and adaptability of performers and promoters who keep the rock culture vibrant for audiences across Russia and beyond.
As Kaverdrom moves forward, fans can expect a festival atmosphere that blends celebration with the communal energy of live rock. The performances are designed to fuse nostalgia with contemporary stagecraft, yielding a memorable experience that resonates long after the final encore. The festival’s dual-city format creates opportunities for cross-city cultural exchange, letting audiences in St. Petersburg and Moscow share in a common night of iconic riffs, sing-alongs, and collaborative spirit among artists who honor the legacy of bands that shaped modern rock and metal.