Video - Guess who’s singing at the Sochi Olympics?

Guess who’s singing at the Sochi Olympics? (RBTH).

It’s February, 2013, and I’m in the lobby of Sochi’s Marins Park Hotel, talking with the man responsible for the cultural program at the 2014 Winter Olympics. “I can’t say who will be performing, but I can say one thing – it will be glorious,” he says. 

“In other words, no popsa ,” I specify. For many Russians, popsa (a pejorative word derived from “pop music” and akin to muzak in English) and dignity are incompatible.

Russian pop music is like an atomic bomb – everyone is afraid of it but no one really likes it. The critical difference between Russian pop and the bomb though, is that while an atomic bomb is something you want YOUR country to have, pop music this vile is something that Russians would gladly leave to the West. Unfortunately, this revolting musical kitsch has found its way even to Russia, which has always closely copied its Western neighbors.

Pop music is everywhere – in cars, restaurants and supermarkets. But nobody admits that they actually like it. Like pornography, pop music is something you might enjoy at home but would never let on to the neighbors about (and especially not Mom!). Secretly we love it – it’s a sweet, guilty pleasure. But to let the world know… absolutely not! Better to run naked through Red Square.
It amuses me to think of the people who put together the Olympic setlists: Who will follow whom and so on… Here’s the news that the opening act will be t.A.T.u. – the only band in Russia that has had significant international success, from the U.S. all the way to Japan.
They’re a logical choice, since the world knows t.A.T.u. and many people love them. Plus, singers Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova have always cultivated an image as lesbians, so their turn on the Sochi stage will naturally leave viewers in no doubt whatsoever that Russia is not a homophobic country.Hmmm....my guess they'll upt for the 'Babuska's above. Read and see the 'Other' candidates Here.