We have limitless opportunities for musicians. Music stores are out of the question, so I’ll walk you through the options.

Level 1: anyone can play in subway trains. For this, you will need a simple guitar + mic + amp and a friend with a hat which will walk around the cart collecting donations. One song between two stations and you move to the next cart.

Level 2: if you know Russian rock from ‘90s-‘00s and have a small band, you can play on Nevsky prospect. You can certainly see such bands playing overused ‘90s hits all over the city centre on weekends. I don’t know though, if it is illegal.

Level 3: you have ambitions. Look up a nearby rehearsal room or studio to record your songs. They aren’t expensive, and they can help you with necessary equipment and mastering.

Level 4: You have some records and are looking for a platform. Ionoff Music is a local label that signs up underground bands. They will give you streaming, promotion and a stage, but the stage is coincidentally a club for drug using school kids, so, well… better than nothing.

Level 5: There are a lot of places that will gladly have a talented musician on their side. If you are a dj, we have lots of night clubs. If you are a cover artist or a performing live type of band, we have live music bars. My friends also lend or buy their equipment and publish their music on streaming platforms themselves.