Afisha Picnic 2013: La Roux, Funkadelic, Jon Hopkins, and more!

Each time we select the lineup for the Afisha Picnic party partially based on the idea of creating the perfect soundtrack for this particular summer,” says Afisha editor-in-chief Alexander Gorbachev. “Every time, it seems that this ideal is getting closer. This year's Picnic will feature undisputed Russian artists whose songs are known by heart to almost everyone (Zhanna Aguzarova and Splin), along with international artists who define the musical agenda here and now (Ariel Pink and John Hopkins). Two beautiful British women who write beautiful, smart, and lively dance and contemplative songs (La Roux and Bat for Lashes), along with an impressive American man who plays soulful and catchy weekend vibes (Aloe Blacc). The patriarchs of world punk rock, proving that you can sing about not only social and political issues but also love with just three sharp and bold chords (Buzzcocks), and the patriarchs of world funk who essentially invented that black groove, along with inadvertently giving rise to several significant music genres like techno and hip-hop (George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic). Plus the best Russian bands, each of which in its own way, but always eloquently and precisely conveys the sound and spirit of 2013 — Tesla Boy, Trud, L'One, Naadia, and others. And the main highlight at the end of the festival — Blur, one of the world's top rock bands in the last 20 years, performing all their greatest hits and a full fireworks display. In general, Picnic is a way to find out what's happening in music right now and to have maximum fun spending a summer day outdoors. Essentially, that's what we've been fighting for.