Boris Grebenshikov & Aquarium in Cologne

Boris Grebenshikov is a Russian singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Leningrad in 1953, who co-founded the rock band Aquarium in 1972. His songwriting draws on rock, folk and reggae, and his best-known repertoire includes “The City of Gold,” “Train on Fire” and the albums Radio Africa and Russian Album. Aquarium’s performance at the Spring Rhythms festival in Tbilisi in 1980 ended in scandal and brought official sanctions against the group. After restrictions on Soviet rock musicians eased, Boris Grebenshikov performed internationally both with Aquarium and in acoustic solo concerts, including appearances at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Since 2022, he has toured outside Russia with BG+, performing songs from the Aquarium catalogue and later material.

Aquarium is a Russian rock band formed in Leningrad in 1972 by Boris Grebenshchikov and Anatoly Gunitsky. Its music draws on folk, art rock, psychedelia and new wave. Albums including Triangle, Radio Africa and Equinox, together with songs such as “City of Gold,” “Train on Fire” and “Rock and Roll Is Dead,” established its repertoire. During the 1970s, Aquarium developed its live repertoire through apartment concerts before performing at the city’s Rock Club in the following decade. Its appearance at Spring Rhythms. Tbilisi-80 brought official sanctions against Grebenshchikov and curtailed the band’s legal performances. After those restrictions eased, Aquarium toured more widely; the 4000 tour marked its 40th anniversary, and its international concert history includes London’s Royal Albert Hall.