Big construction site: why did Basta and Toxi$ put on hard hats and overalls

A stele with the names of Russian pop stars — chart leaders, heroes of the alternative scene, famous rappers and young talents — appeared on Vorobyovy Gory in Moscow. Some of the musicians literally had a hand in creating the object. Lolita, Basta and the young performer Toxi$ exchanged their stage costumes for construction overalls for one day — they tried on the roles of workers for filming the announcement of the upcoming VK Fest. How they coped with the task and who else will keep them company on stage is in the Izvestia report from the venue.

"I was proud, as if I had brought home a certificate"

On the evening of March 17, Lolita was parading down the runway at Igor Gulyaev's show, the singer was closing his show at Moscow Fashion Week. And the next morning, the actress deftly changed the role of a model to the role of a builder. I arrived at Vorobyovy Gory, where they had almost finished erecting a stele with the names of the participants of the future VK Fest, threw off the designer's gorgeous fur coat (a birthday present), threw on a green vest and a white construction helmet. She personally attached her plaque to the structure next to the "Culture Room", Anna Asti, Husky and other names. Lolita will join the festival on its second day in Moscow. On July 20, she will perform on the Blue Stage. This is not the first time for the singer to participate in VK Fest.

I read the collection: what Igor Gulyaev showed at Moscow Fashion Week

Sharp visors, long nails and Marlene Dietrich's lap

— Of course, the first time I remember the most, because when the VK Fest movement appeared in general, I was already an adult enough artist, and it was a cool road for young performers. And you think that you've missed out on your age and you won't be called, but it's inconvenient to ask for it. And suddenly you are invited, suddenly the audience accepts you the same way as the youth! I was proud, as if I had brought home a certificate: mom, I was at VK Fest! Lolita recalled in an interview with Izvestia.

Next, 20-year-old rapper Toxi$ climbed on a lift to the highest point of the stele overlooking the Luzhniki Stadium to secure another plaque. His performance will take place in July in St. Petersburg. When the first VK Fest took place there in 2015, the future artist was still a child.

— Last year I performed at the festival for the first time. It's been a huge dream since the beginning of my career! — he confessed to Izvestia.

He was accompanied on the set of the "construction site" by his experienced colleague, Basta, who became one of the main stars of the festival from year to year and traveled with him to different cities.

— I really remember my performance in Krasnoyarsk on Tatyshev Island last year — and the location, an amazing place, and a large number of people and interesting meetings. It was cozy! Of course, from year to year, the scale, preparation, and attitude towards the organization as a whole are striking. This year I was lucky enough to perform in Chelyabinsk and Kazan. I have a lot of friends there," Basta told Izvestia.

Who will perform at VK Fest 2025

Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sirius (Sochi) are stable points on the festival map, but new territories join them every year. Chelyabinsk and Kazan will host VK Fest for the first time in 2025. Yulia Savicheva is preparing to make her debut on his stage. She has special memories of the participating cities where she will perform.

— Chelyabinsk is practically my land, because I was born nearby — in Kurgan. It makes me feel very warm. As for Sochi, I remember how we just started touring with the "Factory of Stars 2" and gave many concerts in these coastal cities, and, of course, the party was fun! (Laughs.) The third city where I will perform at VK Fest is Kazan,— Yulia Savicheva shared.

In addition to her and Basta, "Three Days of Rain", Mary Gu, "Room of Culture", Olga Buzova will perform in the capital of the Southern Urals on June 14, and Zoloto (another debutant of the year), "Bread", "Three Days of Rain", and "Room of Culture" will perform in Kazan on June 29. The Sirius Festival will be held on June 21. Yulia Savicheva will be accompanied there by "Three Days of Rain", "Culture Room", JANAGA and BLIZKEY.

— There will definitely be "Mountains" and new songs at VK Fest this year, — promised the singer BLIZKEY. — It seems to me that for any artist, first of all, this is a great development in terms of a new audience. People come to the concert to listen to you. And at the festival there is an audience with different preferences, and you have to win them over. It's interesting, there's a challenge in it. And after my performance last time, I got a big new cool audience.

Next, the festival will arrive in St. Petersburg. On July 5, Anna Asti, "Three Days of Rain", LJ, "Bread", IOWA, as well as the trio that conquered the charts with the track "Glamour" — Nkeeei, Uniqe, Artem Shilovets will perform their hits on the Blue Stage. Toxi$, JAKONE, A.V.G, Kuok, Whole Lotta Swag and Minaeva, whose "Chocolate Bar" sounded literally everywhere last year, will perform on the White Stage. The headliner of the Purple Stage will be NEMIGA. Husky will also perform his hits at VK Fest. On the second day, July 6, Klava Coca, Zoloto, Mary Gu, Niletto, Dzhigan, Mona, Elman, Toni, "Culture Room" and BEARWOLF will appear on the Blue Stage. On White — Saluki, Tosya Chaikina, Lida, JANAGA and BLIZKEY. On purple — Marytale, the indie band "Ellie in the Poppy Field".

According to tradition, the festival will end in Moscow. On July 19, Anna Asti, "Three Days of Rain", Elj, "Bread", IOWA, "Room of Culture" and Nkeeei, Uniqe, Artem Shilovets will perform on the Blue Stage. On White — Husky, JAKONE, A.V.G, Cook, Whole Lotta Swag, BLIZKEY and Minaeva. On Purple — NEMIGA, Marytale. The next day, Lolita, Zoloto, Niletto, Big Baby Tape, Klava Coca, Dzhigan, Mona, Elman, Toni and Olga Buzova will take over the baton on the Blue Stage. Tosya Chaikina, Lida and JANAGA will perform on the White Stage. On the Purple one is "Ellie in the poppy field."

— The festival changes every year. This year we will open another stage in Moscow — an electronic one. Now she will be not only in St. Petersburg. Electronic music will be played there. The audience has been asking for it and waiting for it," Zoya Novikova, head of VK Fest, shared her plans.

So far, however, the organizers have not revealed all the cards. Other artists, whose names are still being kept secret, will join the lineup. In addition, Vanya Dmitrienko will perform at the festival, but it will also be known later which city he will come to.