the church australian tour 2022

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The church announce first australian headline tour in four years.

The Church announce ‘The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Fortune’ Australian Tour 2022.

Australian seminal psych-guitar masters The Church have just announced a national headline tour of Australia, in what will be their first in four years. Kicking off on September 1, the legendary band will be playing shows in Perth, Margaret River, Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane, before finishing up in Melbourne at Northcote Theatre on September 10 2022.

Entering their fourth decade of making music and playing live shows with all the fierce creative energy of their early years, ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, The Church will treat fans with two remarkable sets over two and a half hours with a taste of new songs from the band’s forthcoming 26th studio album, ‘The Hypnogogue’ – plus performing a string of hit songs across their expansive music career including ‘Under The Milky Way’, ‘Reptile’, ‘The Unguarded Moment’ and ‘Almost With You’.

Check out Melbourne’s most comprehensive gig guide here .  

The 2022 epic five-piece line-up is bassist, vocalist and founder  Steve Kilbey ; with long-time collaborator Tim Powles, drummer and producer across 17 albums since ’94; guitarist Ian Haug formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger, who joined the band in 2013 and Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), touring multi-instrumentalist who is now a full-time member of The Church since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. The band have also recruited Ashley Naylor, long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band and one of Australia’s finest and most respected guitarists (Even, The Grapes, The Stems).

The group has an unwavering desire to carry on performing the immense body of work that stretches back in a continuous line to classic early albums such as ‘Of Skins and Heart’, ‘The Blurred Crusade’, ‘Starfish’ that has been put together from past to present to future.

“A band is like a family and over 40 years it is only natural that families will change,” Kilbey says.

“It’s too big a body of work not to keep exploring it. It’s a psychedelic walk down memory lane from a band that spans four decades—and continues to create thought-provoking music in the Millennium.”

The band recently completed a headlining tour in the U.S which included an invitation from Coachella’s promoter, Golden Voice to perform at their inaugural Cruel World Festival that saw a crowd of fifty thousand in attendance playing alongside new wave and post-punk contemporaries Blondie, Devo, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs.

The Church Australian Tour

Thursday, September 1: The Astor, Perth Friday, September 2: The River, Margaret River Sunday, September 4: The Gov, Adelaide Thursday, September 8: The Metro, Sydney Friday, September 9: The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Saturday, September 10: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

General public tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 21 at 12pm. Find out more  here . 

TISM are back: The long-awaited return of Melbourne's cult heroes

"The Church will take you on a journey between a psychedelic dreamscape and a sheer love for rock music…”

THE SLINGS AND ARROWS OF OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE

Tickets on sale now.

Australian seminal psych-guitar masters, The Church have just announced a national headline tour of Australia – their first in four years, playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Margaret River this September.

Entering their fourth decade of making music and playing live shows with all the fierce creative energy of their early years, ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, The Church will treat fans with two remarkable sets over 2 ½ hours with a taste of new songs from the band’s forthcoming 26th studio album, ‘ The Hypnogogue ’ – plus performing a string of hit songs across their expansive music career including ‘ Under The Milky Way ’, ‘ Reptile ’ and ‘ Almost With You ’.

The 2022 epic five-piece line-up is bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey ; with long-time collaborator TimEbandit Powles , drummer and producer across 17 albums since ’94; guitarist Ian Haug formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger, who joined the band in 2013 and Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), touring multi-instrumentalist who is now a full-time member of The Church since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. The band have also recruited Ashley Naylor, long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band and one of Australia’s finest and most respected guitarists (Even, The Grapes, The Stems).

The group has an unwavering desire to carry on performing the immense body of work that stretches back in a continuous line to classic early albums such as ‘ Of Skins and Heart ’, ‘ The Blurred Crusade ’, ‘ Starfish ’ that has been put together from past to present to future.

Kilbey says: “ A band is like a family and over 40 years it is only natural that families will change. It’s too big a body of work not to keep exploring it. It’s a psychedelic walk down memory lane from a band that spans four decades—and continues to create thought-provoking music in the Millennium. ”

The band recently completed a headlining tour in the U.S which included an invitation from Coachella’s promoter, Golden Voice to perform at their inaugural Cruel World Festival that saw a crowd of fifty thousand in attendance playing alongside new wave and post-punk contemporaries Blondie, Devo, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs .

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The Church is an Australian alternative rock band originally from Canberra which currently consists of Steve Kilbey, Ian Haug, Tim Powles and Peter Koppes.

The band initially formed in 1980 when the members were all together in Sydney. The Church has kept rock at the forefront of their sound, yet it has changed quite noticeably from the beginnings of their career when they were often classed as new wave and psychedelic. It is now likened more to progressive, with emphasis on the long instrumental and complexity of the guitar riffs.

The band enjoyed their first hit in 1981 when 'The Unguarded Moment' lifted from the debut 'Of Skins and Heart' peaked at #22 on the Australian chart. They achieved their peak position on both the album and singles chart upon the release of 'Starfish' in 1988. This album reached #11 in Australia and #42 in the US. The sales were aided by the band's only international hit single, 'Under The Milky Way' which reached #24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

This remains their commercial height as throughout the rest of their career they have not been able to replicate the success of 'Starfish'. Despite several line up changes, the band held steady and they were rewarded in 2010 as they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in Sydney. Their latest album 'Further/Deeper' was released in October 2014.

Live reviews

There's hardly any other band out there that can put on a show quite as transcendent as The Church. The Australian quartet adeptly layers their music to create an epic, surreal sound. The Church’s live performances are very well executed and they create an atmospheric quality that immediately captivates the audience. Songs like “Under The Milky Way” have the kind of beauty and layers that conjure up images and feelings as if you were sitting under the night sky while having an introspective moment. The Church incorporates the clean crisp sound of their 12 string acoustic guitar as a rhythmic backdrop to the shimmering sounds of their electric guitars that are drenched in reverb to create a dreamy mood. Songs like “Aura” show The Church using the deep, warm sounds of the synthesizer to create eerie, mystical sounds that will put the audience in a delightful haze.

The light show at The Church’s concert is also very atmospheric and goes very well with the music. There is usually a layer of fog covering the stage, and the subtle, ambient lights illuminate the stage. They also incorporate psychedelic lighting patterns into their show as well to help further create an atmospheric vibe. Steve Kilbey’s lyrics also create a kind of atmosphere to the performance. His lyrics are often surreal and touch on topics dealing with dreams, myths, and visions.

The Church is bound to put on a memorable performance whenever they walk on stage. Their most recent performances have shown them playing through a wide variety of songs from their catalog as well as breaking their concert into two long sets. If The Church ever comes through town, you should not hesitate to let their live performance sweep you off your feet with their grand atmospheric sound that is so uplifting.

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The show was very intimate. My wife and I loved the performance. We were able to get right up close to the stage and enjoy the experience. The crowd was also very friendly and genuine. Great experience! My only complaint was that the show started too late. My wife and I had to leave at midnight and the concert was still going. I think an 8PM start time for The Church would have been better. Helio Sequence could have opened at 7PM instead of 8PM. Of course, the Fonda Theater would have to open earlier as well; Just something to consider for future shows. All the fans I spoke to said agreed that the concert started too late.

The Church- Ardmore Music Hall Ardmore , Pa. I was one of the lucky to purchase a VIP ticket. I was able to get in early and see the sound check and chat with the band. The band memnbers were really good about talking to everyone. Signed my poster and took pictures with each member. The show itself was worth the extra money. They played many songs and of course , played the favorites. Band sounded tight and together. loads of fun and a few high jinx of stage towards the end that made it very entertaining. a show I would recommand.

Crowd were hyped but took awhile to get into the groove. Band played well and sound was good but spent too long adding instrumental fillers in songs. Very little banter from Mr Kilby who after all these years does not appear comfortable on stage. Triffid was packed which was uncomfortable and forget getting a drink unless you went outside and lost your half square meter of space. Glad we saw them but don't think we will again.

far out, solid, & right on!

absolutely magnificent show. the set list was amazing. 2 songs i never thought i would have the pleasure of hearing in person (Fly & Constant In Opal). Opened with Aura, yes, Aura. Unbelievable.

Jeffrey Cain was guest appearing and he was crushing with the rest of them.

i'm done babbling....almost. Helio Sequence opened and they were great too.

It seems that the current Church tour is mainly to their fans who know all their new songs from the 2000 and up.

I'm the Church fan from their old time, unfortunately I knew only 3-4 songs.

However, the church as a band gave a great show filled with energy and passion.

Would definitely go to listen to their newer material of which I was exposed to in the recent show.

The show at Revolution Hall in Portland was sublime. The Church never disappoint live and this was a great mix of older material and new songs. I attended the meet and greet prior to the show and the guys are all charming and appreciative. Bonus for the fans to know they're humble and grateful after all these years.

Excellent experience! The Church are masters of their craft. They are consistent in creating great albums and entertaining tours. I would highly recommend seeing them. Steve Kilbey, Peter Kopps, Timothy Powles, and Ian Haug will rock your world.

Just about one of the greatest shows; love the "idea" of 2 sets with one being a complete album (with the "rare B-side). PLEASE come back, and keep making albums of psychedelic jangle-y guitar ROCK!

The Church was amazing! My mother let me get tickets to see them for my 18th birthday, I was literally the youngest person there. Besides the AC not working it was wonderful and I'm so glad I went.

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The Church announce Australian tour for September

• X (formerly Twitter)

They'll play six dates around the country

Australian indie rock royalty The Church are getting back on the road, today announcing a six-date Australian tour for September.

The band will play two sets at each show, packing their two and a half hours of stage time with highlights from across their 40+ year existence.

Part of that will be a bunch of new material taken from their 26th studio album The Hypnogogue , which will be their first album in half a decade when it sees the light of day later this year.

If you haven't seen them since the world shut down, rest assured the band remain in great form, as we learned from their astounding set at Bluesfest this year. Relatively new guitarist Ashley Naylor, who joined at the beginning of 2020, fits into the fold as brilliantly as you'd expect.

There are few bands with the depth and quality of The Church and their enduring excellence remains something to be both in awe and very proud of.

Catch The Church playing the following shows around the country this September.

Thursday 1 September – The Astor, Perth Friday 2 September – The River, Margaret River Sunday 4 September – The Gov, Adelaide Thursday 8 September – The Metro, Sydney Friday 9 September – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Saturday 10 September – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

Tickets are on sale from 12pm Tuesday 21 June.

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STEVE KILBEY: THE CHURCH 2022 AUSTRALIAN TOUR INTERVIEW

• Greg Phillips
• August 18, 2022
• Features , Interviews

Australian seminal psych-guitar masters, The Church have announced a national headline tour of Australia – their first in four years, playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Margaret River this September.

Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with The Church main man Steve Kilbey to discuss the ‘The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Fortune’ tour, songwriting methods, the new lineup (which has recently become a 6 piece band featuring two drummers), their upcoming album The Hypnogogue, and his dislike for nostalgia.

Entering their fourth decade of making music and playing live shows with all the fierce creative energy of their early years, ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, The Church will treat fans with two remarkable sets over 2 ½ hours with a taste of new songs from the band’s forthcoming 26th studio album, ‘The Hypnogogue’ – plus performing a string of hit songs across their expansive music career including ‘Under The Milky Way’, ‘Reptile’, ‘The Unguarded Moment’ and ‘Almost With You’.

The 2022 epic line-up, now a 6 piece for this tour features bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey; with long-time collaborator TimEbandit Powles, drummer and producer across 17 albums since ’94; guitarist Ian Haug formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger, who joined the band in 2013 and Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), touring multi-instrumentalist who is now a full-time member of The Church since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. The band have also recruited Ashley Naylor, long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band and one of Australia’s finest and most respected guitarists (Even, The Grapes, The Stems), and just recently they’ve added a second drummer Nick Meredith.

The group has an unwavering desire to carry on performing the immense body of work that stretches back in a continuous line to classic early albums such as ‘Of Skins and Heart’, ‘The Blurred Crusade’, ‘Starfish’ that has been put together from past to present to future.

Kilbey says: “A band is like a family and over 40 years it is only natural that families will change. It’s too big a body of work not to keep exploring it. It’s a psychedelic walk down memory lane from a band that spans four decades—and continues to create thought-provoking music in the Millennium.”

The band recently completed a headlining tour in the U.S which included an invitation from Coachella’s promoter, Golden Voice to perform at their inaugural Cruel World Festival that saw a crowd of fifty thousand in attendance playing alongside new wave and post-punk contemporaries Blondie, Devo, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs.

TOUR DATES Thursday, September 1: The Astor, Perth Friday, September 2: The River, Margaret River Sunday, September 4: The Gov, Adelaide Thursday, September 8: The Metro, Sydney Friday, September 9: The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Saturday, September 10: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

Tickets sbmpresents.com/tour/the-church-2022

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THE CHURCH – The Slings And Arrows of Outrageous Fortune Tour 2022

1 September 2022 Thursday

1 September 2022

Doors open: 7:15pm

Show time: 8:00pm - TBC

Astor Theatre

Australian seminal psych-guitar masters, The Church have just announced a national headline tour of Australia – their first in four years, playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Margaret River this September.

Entering their fourth decade of making music and playing live shows with all the fierce creative energy of their early years, ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, The Church will treat fans with two remarkable sets over 2 ½ hours with a taste of new songs from the band’s forthcoming 26th studio album, ‘The Hypnogogue’ – plus performing a string of hit songs across their expansive music career including ‘ Under The Milky Way ’, ‘Reptile’  and ‘ Almost With You’ .

The 2022 epic five-piece line-up is bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey ; with long-time collaborator TimEbandit Powles , drummer and producer across 17 albums since ’94; guitarist Ian Haug formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger, who joined the band in 2013 and Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), touring multi-instrumentalist who is now a full-time member of The Church since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. The band have also recruited Ashley Naylor , long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band and one of Australia’s finest and most respected guitarists (Even, The Grapes, The Stems).

The group has an unwavering desire to carry on performing the immense body of work that stretches back in a continuous line to classic early albums such as ‘ Of Skins and Heart’ , ‘ The Blurred Crusade ’, ‘ Starfish ’ that has been put together from past to present to future.

The band recently completed a headlining tour in the U.S which included an invitation from Coachella’s promoter, Golden Voice to perform at their inaugural Cruel World Festival that saw a crowd of fifty thousand in attendance playing alongside new wave and post-punk contemporaries Blondie, Devo, Echo & The Bunnymen , and The Psychedelic Furs .

THEATRE MODE: Fully Reserved Seating Licensed All Ages – Patrons under 18 can only attend with a parent/guardian (over 18) with a valid ticket. Infants not admitted.

PLEASE NOTE:  Balcony Seating is only accessible via the stairs. No disabled access Entry is entirely at the discretion of the Licensee No external food or drinks are permitted in the venue

TICKETS:  Premium: $99.90 Standard: $79.90 Door – Premium: $110.00 Door – Standard: $90.00 Plus Transaction Fee

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Steve Kilbey of The Church - photo by Ros O'Gorman

The Church Perform First Show Of Australian Tour In Perth

by Paul Cashmere on September 2, 2022

The Church ‘The Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune’ tour of Australia kicked off in Perth this week with Steve Kilbey keeping his promise and resurrecting ‘The Unguarded Moment’ for the Australian audience.

Fans of the The Church were also treated at the first show in Perth to six songs from the upcoming 2023 album ‘The Hypnogogue’.

Some of the songs, ‘No Ascension’, ‘It Could Be Anyone’ and ‘Antarctica’ were played for the first time live by The Church while ‘C’est La Vie’ and ‘No Other You’ premiered earlier in the year on the US tour.

The title track ‘The Hypnogogue’ also premiered on streaming services hours before the tour.

“The album is a little proggie,” Steve Kilbey tells Noise11.com. “Some of it is complex, some of it is simple and typical Church. It was fun to play the new songs”.

Kilbey has designed the setlist for this ‘The Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune’ tour on songs across the complete history of The Church. “I try to do a broad cross section of all of our stuff,” he says. “When we do festivals they want to hear all those old hits but I don’t think the audience coming to our shows want to hear all those. Sometimes people groan when we do ‘Under The Milky Way’ and ‘Alone With Me’. I wish I was completely freed up and didn’t ever have to do all that stuff. I wish I could just play new stuff but it is nice to do a cross section of this body of work. It all hangs together. It is not one of those careers where we did something else, and something else and something else. It’s a continuum. We haven’t deviated outrageously from what we first started doing”.

Watch the Noise11.com Steve Kilbey interview:

While Steve has the luxury of dropping some early Australian hits from an American setlist, he can’t avoid playing them here. “We will play all those songs,” he says. “They will be in there. We will be playing all the songs you expect to hear. In America, ‘The Unguarded Moment’ wasn’t a hit so we don’t have to play it. Why would I want to fucking play ‘The Unguarded Moment’? All the new music I’ve written since then! There’s three things. There is one where you can play a song and enjoy the happiness people get from it. Then there is the one you enjoy playing it but they don’t want to hear it. And the best one of all is when you play a song you want to play and they love hearing it. That’s the ultimate thing. What can I say? I hate fucking ‘Unguarded Moment’ but I play it and I do my best but the voice in my head is going “fuck, I wish I didn’t have to do this”.

The setlist for Show 1 in Perth, 1 September 2022 was:

No Ascension (new) First time played Comedown (from Magician Among The Spirits, 1996) Kings (from Priest = Aura, 1992) Columbus (from Heyday, 1985) Metropolis (from Gold Afternoon Fix, 1990) No Other You (new) Reptile (from Starfish, 1988) C’est la vie (new) The Unguarded Moment (from Of Skins and Heart, 1981) Antarctica (new) First time played It Could Be Anyone (new) First time played Fly (from Séance, 1983) Old Coast Road (from Further/Deeper, 2014) Waiting for the Sun (Powderfinger cover) Laurel Canyon (from Further/Deeper, 2014) Is This Where You Live (from Of Skins and Heart, 1981) The Hypnogogue (from The Hypnogogue, 2023) Shadow Cabinet (from Persia, EP, 1984) Under the Milky Way (from Starfish, 1988) An Interlude (from The Blurred Crusade, 1982) Tantalised (from Heyday, 1985)

Encore: Grind (from Gold Afternoon Fix, 1990) You Took (from The Blurred Crusade, 1982)

Encore 2: Almost With You (from The Blurred Crusade, 1982)

TOUR DATES Thursday, September 1: The Astor, Perth Friday, September 2: The River, Margaret River Sunday, September 4: The Gov, Adelaide Thursday, September 8: The Metro, Sydney Friday, September 9: The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Saturday, September 10: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

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The tour line-up features mainstay Steve Kilbey on bass and vocals, Tim Powles on drums, Ian Haug on guitar, multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain and Ashley Naylor on guitar.

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INTERVIEW: Steve Kilbey, The Church – August 2022

INTERVIEW: Steve Kilbey, The Church – August 2022 By Shane Pinnegar

This week ARIA Hall of Fame inductees The Church begin their first headline tour of Australia in four years, an epic undertaking promising to feature tracks spanning the band’s stellar career forty-plus year career, including new material from their soon-to-be-released 26th studio album Hypnogogue.

A recent press release described the brand spanking new single The Hypongogue as “ retro-futuristic ”, going on to note that it’s “capturing the band’s trademark psychedelia-tinged and dream pop sound, the new track transports listeners to another realm with a striking science fiction storyline.”

Read more about the single and watch the new video at the bottom of the page, for now, let’s talk with band founder, bassist, singer, primary songwriter and leader, Steve Kilbey.

‘The Slings And Arrows Of Outrageous Fortune’ Australian Tour, September 2022

Thursday, September 1: The Astor, Perth Friday, September 2: The River, Margaret River Sunday, September 4: The Gov, Adelaide Thursday, September 8: The Metro, Sydney Friday, September 9: The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Saturday, September 10: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

After the difficulties and the lack of support for the music industry from our illustrious leaders in the last couple of years, it must be a big relief to be able to head out on tour again.

I think everybody’s realised this thing we took for granted, that we thought would go on forever, like, suddenly, it was gone. I think the musicians and the audiences – everybody made a realisation of how important music and playing and having an audience and all that sort of stuff really is. So yeah, I’m really glad it’s over and hope nothing like that comes back again.

Absolutely. I was discussing this with someone the other day, just like you just said – music appears to have been undervalued for a long time and taken for granted. So not having it there for that couple of years. I mean, I’ve certainly felt the sting not being able to go to a concert. But as a creative person, not only with that creative urge, but also needing it as a financial aspect to your life, you must have really found it difficult.

Yeah, luckily, I turned to Instagram very early on and it got me through some hard times, and let me at least go through the sort of motions of playing towards a kind of an audience, you know. But nothing like a real audience, obviously. And I think a lot of people re-evaluated how important music was to them, and a lot of people found that music was getting them through those hard times. Better than anything else. Better than movies. Better than books. Better than drinking beer. Music’s sort of like… it’s a balm for the soul, you know. It does something. So, you know, for people who really love music, it’s the most important thing. So it was a kind of – although it was a hard way to do it – I think everybody got reconnected to music during that so hard period.

That’s a good point. You recently did a short tour around North America. How did that go?

We did, we did. There were a few little gigs to warm up, and then we did two days of this Cruel World Festival, which was like, every big alternative act from the ‘80s seemed to be playing there [with a crowd of over 50,000 people, alongside fellow legends Blondie, Devo, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Psychedelic Furs] . And we went down pretty well, considering we were on at like, five o’clock on a really hot afternoon, which isn’t really The Church’s natural environment. We’re kind of night music, whatever that means, not really standing there in the baking sun. But, you know, we acquitted ourselves well, I think, devoid of having a light show or anything. Yeah, it wasn’t too bad.

What’s the perception in America of the band? I mean, is it all about Under The Milky Way and that era, or are they a bit more cognisant of your work since then?

I think it’s probably like Australia. There’s people who are there because they liked Unguarded Moment, and then there’s people who jumped on board with Starfish. And then there are people I guess, who’ve been hanging in there all along. I think America is just the same. The early albums weren’t so important to Americans – The Blurred Crusade didn’t even get released in America until, you know, like eight years later or something. So mostly Starfish, and then there are the people who have been hanging in all along.

Is it frustrating as an artist when you’ve had that one big mega hit, that you’ll always have a contingency of people in a concert who just sort of want to cross hearing that one song off the bucket list?

It is, you know, it is. Everybody’s up against that same thing, I think, you know, all the musicians who had that big golden period, they’re all up against that. And it’s hard to know what to do with it as well – whether to just go along with it, or…

Sometimes it’s funny, especially in America, when Under The Milky Way was sort of a bigger hit than it was here, even. It’s a song that has some sort of significance, though it’s hard to say what that is, but it’s a significant song in people’s lives. When we start playing it, you can see half the audience sort of goes, ‘yeah!’, and the other half of the audience kind of groans, like, ‘oh, no’ – you know what I mean? So it’s really hard to know, it’s a real Buddhist sort of puzzle to know what to do with that. And it’s also, it’s a weird thing – half of you is very thankful you have it, but the other half is really resentful, but that’s all there is. It’s kind of a, yeah, it’s a sort of strange thing to deal with.

So you have to almost treat it like a loss leader in a way, in some respect, to get them in with this one, and then try and upsell them to the rest of your stuff?

Yeah. Yeah… you know, I could write a book about it. But I also don’t want to spend all my time thinking about it and talking about it. So it’s sort of like, it’s a strange thing. We were at a radio station once in America, and the deal was, the reason we were there – this was in the late 90s – was we were going to play Milky Way, and we were going to play whatever our latest single was at that time, which I think might have been a song called Numbers.

And the guy was like, ‘oh Milky Way, yeah. How’d you feel the day you wrote it? Yeah. What did you think when it came out? Yeah. How do you feel about it now? Yeah.’ And then I said, ‘we’re not going to play our new song, are we?’ ‘Oh, no, no, probably not – we ran out of time.’ And I sort of got up and stormed out, and people were really angry with me, but it was just sort of like, ‘for fuck’s sake, get over it.’ You know? Just get over it. It’s weird, because you’ve got to be grateful for it, to have it, but on the other hand, there’s no way you’re not going to be resentful when that’s all somebody focuses on?

At around the same time we signed to a record company, and he said, ’you know what your next single should be?’ and I went, ‘what?’ and he said, ‘a live version of Under The Milky Way!’ I’m like, for fuck’s sake… [Kilbey continues to do a very good American corporate accent, mimicking the record company executive in question] ‘then we can get radio stations used to playing something they’re comfortable with, and then you hit him with your new stuff.’ And I was just like, man, you know, fucking hell…

The suits are never going to understand, are they? They’re never gonna get it.

No, I guess they’re not. When I grew up in Canberra, there was a similar thought, that all the bands would play cover versions, and their philosophy was, we’ll get the audience used to us playing cover versions, and then when they’re used to that we’ll start putting our original songs in the set. And it’s the same kind of philosophy, that you have this one asset that you should flog into the ground.

Even now, if someone says to me, ‘yeah, you can come on an early morning TV show and flog your latest tour, but you’ve got to play Under The Milky Way,’ I have a conflict with myself – like, do I go on there and drag out this old chestnut so I can say I’ve got a new tour, or do I go, ‘no!’ and kind of cut off my nose to spite my face. So, it sort of creates as many problems as it solves. I’m always having an internal dialogue with myself about that fucking song.

Yeah, it’s Australian radio all over. They’ll get your James Reyne or whoever on and say, ‘hey, you’re doing this big tour and you got this new great new album, rah rah rah – play us your hit from thirty years ago.’ It seems to happen to everyone, unfortunately, and it’s a very blinkered way of thinking – it’s not looking towards the future at all.

That’s right. But you know, even if you had Paul McCartney on your show, and he goes, ‘yeah, I’m gonna play a song off the new album,’ they’d say ‘can you give us Long And Winding Road?!?’ It doesn’t really matter who you are. There are very, very few artists who escaped this syndrome of ‘I like your earlier stuff better than your latest stuff.’ And this week, all the interviews I’ve been doing seem to centre around this subject as well, so I go on endlessly repeating myself about this, and still not getting any closer to what the answer is.

Well, my apologies for that. We’ll move on now, eh…

No, no, it’s like, not only have you got to play it, but you’ve got to talk about it. Because if you say to me, ‘hey, Under The Milky Way,’ and I go, ‘I’m not talking about that’… well, how can you not? It’s weird, it swallows up everything.

It’s a little like going to a pub and having a drink with the boys and all you ever talk about is your glory days. You’ve got to talk about now, what you’re doing and what you’re looking forward to and everything.

There you go. Yeah, you’re right.

On that note, for this tour you’re about to kick off around Australia you’re playing two sets, I believe, spanning the entire career of The Church. When you’re looking at…

I believe it WAS going to be two sets, I believe now it’s going to be one long set. It’s the same idea – we’re gonna try and take in everything.

Right. So, when you’ve got that much time to fill and that much scope, to cover the entire career of the band, do you have to go back and start listening to all those records one by one and try to re-familiarise yourself with what’s going to work best?

No. No, I don’t listen to my old records. I don’t need to go back, I know what I’ll find. No, we just sort of, you know, the band sits down and [discusses it]. We’ll probably do the old ones we’ve always done, and it’s more the new ones that’ll be the interesting thing, because we made this new album.

It hasn’t come out yet, but there’s a bunch of new songs I really want to play off that. I think they’re amazing songs, however, I do have to take into account that the audience, unfortunately, won’t have heard any of those songs.

It’s the mid period that gets neglected, sort of the ‘90s and the early 2000s, that will probably be sorely under-represented in this. Because there’s like 400 songs [in The Church’s repertoire] and we can only play 20 songs in the set. That’s about as much as, you know, people are going to listen to. Someone said the other day that for every song we play, there’s fifty we can’t play, or something. So yeah, it’s a bit of horse trading, trying to figure out what our set should be. And everybody’s got an opinion on that.

Yeah, sure. I would imagine it’s difficult to balance as you say. You want the audience who are paying for the ticket to get what they’ve come for. But you also want to show off some works which you may feel have been under appreciated over the years.

It’s a fine balance. You do want to give the audience what they want. But if everybody started off giving the audience what they wanted, no-one would have ever done anything, because the audience don’t know what they want until they’ve heard it at least once! So yeah, it’s a strange thing and it’s always a delicate balance trying to get it right.

I said this to someone not long ago, actually. I suggested we go see a gig, and they went, ‘nah, I don’t know those support bands.’ But every single one of your favourite bands, and every single one of your favourite songs, was once something you didn’t know. You have to give it a go in order to know whether you’re going to like it or not.

That is correct. Once when I was a very, very young man in Canberra, I went to this pub called The Deep Inn where this band called AC/DC were playing. [Editor – I’m unsure of the venue name as the recording was slightly unclear. It seems AC/DC played a few Canberra gigs in their early years, mostly at High Schools, apart from one show in December 1975 at an unnamed venue, so I think this may be the one Kilbey is referring to]

So I’m standing there with five people watching AC/DC play. And nobody liked them. Me and my friend were probably the only ones clapping because nobody knew that they should like them yet, you know? And then a couple of years later they were the biggest thing in the world. It’s weird, but nobody sort of springs out of the box fully formed with everybody loving them immediately.

Absolutely. I’ve long wanted to interview you, if only to ask if you recall a concert from, I think it was the very late ‘80s at the Perth Concert Hall. My recollection of it is that about two thirds or so of the way through, the cloth on the lighting rig caught fire and you guys had to vacate the stage, and someone came out and said everyone leave – but almost nobody left. We all just sat there. It became part of the show almost, as the roadies lowered the rig and tore the cloth off and stomped on it and got it back up there and got the show happening.

Yeah. Yeah, I do remember that. I also remember our first ever big show in Perth, we were opening for Moving Pictures. And we came on stage and I realised the bass wasn’t working, so I ran around to the other guys and said, ‘don’t start playing – there’s no bass,’ and they still started playing. And to start we had this big number where it would sort of build up these ascending chords, and then of course, I had nowhere to go. And I was so angry I threw off my bass and stormed off stage and the audience went, ‘booooo.’ They [the band] really threw me under the bus. Wow. That was my first ever gig in Perth in 1982, opening for Moving fucking Pictures, and of course we went off stage and sulked for five minutes while they got it working, but things were never the same for that show, after that – it took a while in Perth to get over that little hissy fit. I just remember going round saying ‘don’t start – the bass isn’t working,’ and they all looked at each other and started the song anyway. Fucking idiots.

I didn’t get to that one. I was just a little bit young at that point, still 15 or so. But yeah, that Concert Hall one, it seemed like grand entertainment at the time, but in hindsight, it was only a couple of years later when the heavy metal band Great White had that horrific fire in a New York club and 100 people died, so it sort of brought home the fact that that could have turned very nasty very quickly, but thankfully they had it all under control.

Oh yeah. We’re risking our life up there – for you guys. You know, breathing in that poisonous smoke machine, I’ve been electrocuted onstage, been hit with cans of beer. Yeah, it can get nasty.

I literally never had a puff of anything in my life. I don’t smoke, never have, been anti it my whole life. But right through the late ‘80s I had a smoker’s cough because I was going to pubs and seeing bands three or four or five times a week, back when everyone could smoke in venues.

Yeah, look, I remember I didn’t smoke either. And you’d play one of those shows and you get in the shower the next morning. And the smell of the smoke that was in your hair and on your clothes and on your body. Yeah, what a shocker. That was horrific.

You released Of Skins and Hearts acoustic earlier this year – are you planning to do the same with other Church albums?

Yeah, eventually I’ll pick a few off, I think. I didn’t really enjoy that much. No, I didn’t enjoy that process much. It was sort of like, someone suggested I have a go at it because I was doing a show where I was doing Church albums in their entirety. And someone said you should have a go at recording it. But I didn’t find much joy in that process. Yeah, not really my thing. I don’t really want to go around… it’s a bit like unearthing an old body, digging up an old record and playing it again – I’d much rather make new music.

And you’ve got so many different projects with so many different collaborators going on. So why do you need to look backwards?

Well, yeah, I hear ya. I hear ya…

A guy I know had a record company, and he said, ‘it’d be really interesting to do that.’ So I did it. And it did sell well. But I didn’t enjoy the process – it made me really angry. Yeah, singing and playing a lot of those songs again made me very restless and angry. It’s something like 41 years ago – that’s such a huge amount of time to go back and get all these old songs out that you wrote when you were a different person. Yeah, I don’t enjoy that process much at all.

Did it dredge up negative memories – is that where the anger comes from?

No, no, just angry standing there singing it, going, ‘what the fuck?’ Figuring it out, and you know, the guy working on it going, ‘sing it again.’ I’m like, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing singing this, I don’t even know what I’m looking for. So, nah, it wasn’t the memories. The memories weren’t that bad – I have very, very few memories of making that first album, anyway. The memories I do have are mostly about the drummer that we had. We had this really nasty character as a drummer who made all our lives a misery while we were making that album, standing there complaining about everything everybody played. ‘Awwww you can’t fucking play bass – you can’t fucking play guitar.’ And that’s all I really remember. I can’t remember much else about making that first album. It was so long ago.

Life’s too short for that shit!

Anyway, he got the boot. We got Richard Ploog in and we had fun after that!

More about The Hypnogogue:

“A cinematic blend of indie rock and shimmering textures, the mix was heightened by the renowned Darrell Thorpe (Radiohead, Air, Beck). Bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey dives into the track’s fictional themes; ‘The Hypnogogue is set in 2054, a dystopian and broken down future. Invented by Sun Kim Jong, a North Korean scientist and occult dabbler, it is a machine and a process that pulls music straight of dreams.’

“Steve says, ‘the song is about Eros Zeta the biggest rock star of 2054 who has travelled from his home in Antarctica (against his manager’s advice) to use The Hypnogogue to help him revive his flagging fortunes. In the midst of the toxic process, he also falls in love with Sun Kim and it all ends tragically (of course…as these thing often do).’

“The accompanying music video mirrors the lyrical narrative, brought to life with its rainy, fluorescent-hued visuals, reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner or Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys.

“Directed by Australian filmmaker Clint Lewis, the clip captures the track’s futuristic essence. Steve says, ‘I gave the director a lot of input into this video but he took my ideas and ran with them and came up with a fair bit of stuff I never envisaged. The Church appear on screens in The Hypnogogue as workers in the system, translating the dreams of users into real time music. I’m very happy with the way it all turned out. It’d be hard to get a better result!’”

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The church announce australian tour to celebrate the release of their 26th album.

The Church unveil 26th studio album The Hypnogogue with eight Australian dates announced for The Hypnogogue World Tour.

Few bands enter their fifth decade of making music with all the fierce creative energy of their early years. Few bands can boast 26 studio albums. Few bands are like The Church.

This month, the ARIA Hall of Fame inductees share their highly anticipated 26th studio album  The Hypnogogue.  Along with their latest cinematic record release, The Church are celebrating 43 years since formation, embarking on an extensive world tour performing new music and songs from their 26-album career. The Australian leg of the world tour will come off the back of a 21-city, six-week US tour and will stop at eight cities across the country, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle.

The Church The Hypnogogue Australian Tour

Fortitude Music Hall Brisbane QLD Friday 26 May 2023

Twin Towns Theatre Gold Coast QLD Saturday 27 May 2023

Odeon Theatre Hobart TAS Saturday 3 June 2023

Hindley Street Music Hall Adelaide SA Saturday 10 June 2023

Riverside Theatre Perth WA Sunday 11 June 2023

Palais Theatre Melbourne VIC Thursday 15 June 2023

Enmore Theatre Sydney NSW Friday 16 June 2023

Civic Theatre Newcastle NSW Saturday 17 June 2023

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews  here .

A monumental concept album, The Church hone in on their bespoke sound in  The Hypnogogue  without retreading creative steps. The record features recently released singles “The Hypnogogue”, “C’est La Vie” and “No Other You”, offering a pool of melancholy tones and psychedelic swells, transporting listeners to another realm, guided by its striking science fiction narrative.

The album was recorded at iconic Australian studio Damien Gerard Studios on the Central Coast and mixed by Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Beck, Foo Fighters). Bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey gives his thoughts on the new record; “The Hypnogogue is the most prog rock thing we have ever done, we’ve never created a concept album before. It is the most teamwork record we have ever had. Everyone in the band is so justifiably proud of this record and everyone helped to make sure it was as good as it could be.

Steve continues “Personally, I think it’s in our top three records. The complexity, the way the songs relate to each other and the level of collaboration that has gone into the record. For fans of older records, give this one a chance, it will go on rewarding you for years and years. There’s lots of subtle references to other artists, other songs and other times”.

The Church yield an expansive music career with a phenomenal back catalogue of songs including “Reptile,” “The Unguarded Moment”, “Almost With You” and of course “Under the Milky Way”, regarded as one of the most influential and recognisable Australian rock anthems of all time.

Their equally stellar live shows have been deemed “spectacular” by MAGNET Magazine, citing their “dreamy psychedelia that will daub your evening with shades of paisley.” Last year’s performance to a 50,000 strong crowd at USA’s Cruel World Festival alongside Blondie, Bauhaus and Morrissey was heralded as “a subtle delight… that captivated the late afternoon audience”. With The Church gracing Australian stages off the back of their six week US tour, local fans will be treated to an epic and tight set of new and revered songs this May and June.

The renowned five-piece line-up is made up of bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey along with long-time collaborator, drummer and producer Tim Powles, who’s remained a staple across 17 albums since 1994. Joining them is guitarist Ian Haug, who has been strumming with the band since 2013 and formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger. Touring multi-instrumentalist talent Jeffrey Cain is now a full-time member since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. Rounding out the members is the newly recruited Ashley Naylor is one of Australia’s finest guitarists and is a long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band. Entering their fourth decade as a band, The Church continue to remain a treasured creative force.

Tickets for the tour go on sale Thursday 2 March 2023 10AM local time via thechurchband.net

The Hypnogogue  is available now wherever you consume good music.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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