Top Russian rock band ‘Lyube’ arrived today (8 December) in Ulaanbaatar. A favourite of Vladimir Putin and millions of Russians, the group has performed on Red Square on Victory Day and has won numerous awards and accolades. In Mongolia, ‘Lyube’, will perform for two days at the Buyant-Ukhaa Sports Complex.

 The lynchpin of the group is singer-guitarist Nikolay Rastorguyev, who performs in a number of genres, including chanson and songs remembering the ‘Great Patriotic War’ (eg ‘Arbat’) and celebrating the Russian armed forces (eg. ‘Kombat’).  Lyube is named after Lyubertsy – a suburb of Moscow, renowned for its tough inhabitants. The group also performs a rock version of the Russian National Anthem.

The band was founded in 1989, and since then has released 16 albums. Lyube was founded by producer and main songwriter Igor Matvienko. The band received a Russian state artistic award in 2007.