From August 27 to 31, American singer-songwriter and rocker Hanni El Khatib and his band headlined the annual V-ROX music festival in Vladivostok. One of Russia’s top music festivals, V-ROX gathered 300 musicians from all over the world on multiple stages and attracted thousands of spectators from Vladivostok and the Russian Far East. Hanni’s headlining concert was hailed by the local media as “energetic garage-rock slam,” with crowds of fans dancing and cheering to the band’s rock. The Consulate also arranged a stripped-down concert at the ZARYA Contemporary Art Center for around 80 music devotees. This concert brought artist and audience closer together, in between songs Hanni discussed inspiration behind his work and laughed and engaged with fans while answering their numerous questions. Hanni’s visit to Vladivostok was extensively covered by print and television media, including Russia’s “Rolling Stone” and “MTV Russia.”
