Soviet Underground: the eighties Red Wave, played live in London
A London collective reviving the Soviet underground — Kino, Nautilus Pompilius, Zoopark, Zvuki Mu. They play Dalston on 12 September with free entry, Brighton on the 13th.
There is a collective in London doing something unusual: playing live the music that Soviet teenagers of the eighties heard on tapes copied four times over. Soviet Underground describes itself as a collective dedicated to reviving the Soviet-era underground scene — the one the West knows as the Red Wave.
What they play
The set is built on covers: Kino, Nautilus Pompilius, Zoopark, Zvuki Mu. Their Bandcamp page includes, among others, «Всё идёт по плану» and «Дрянь». There is original work too: a debut album of their own material, written in the same idiom, came out in June 2025. The video for «Иду тебя искать» is on their YouTube channel.
They describe themselves plainly: the aim is to bring the sound and atmosphere of that scene to a Western listener. Brighton Gig Focus calls the result a blend of post-punk edge and vintage cold-wave texture.
Dates
London — The Victoria, Dalston
Sounds of Soviet Underground. Per the band’s own poster: with Batsch, Sonia Shand (Hot Parts) on the decks all night, doors at 8pm, free entry. Registration through DICE.
Free entryBrighton — The Hope and Ruin
A second night, this time on the coast. Tickets through the link in the band’s profile.
Where to listen
Recordings on Bandcamp, video on YouTube, everything gathered on Linktree.
Disclosure: the musicians are known to the publisher of ONLYWAY NEWS. This piece was not paid for and its contents were not agreed with the band. Dates, venues and entry conditions are taken from the official event pages and the band’s own poster; check them before setting out, as venues do change schedules.
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