Vladimir Kozlov

King Crimson Festival

November 10, 9 pm, B1 Maximum, 11 Ul. Ordzhonikidze,

m. Leninsky Prospekt

Although it wasn't easy for King Crimson's records to make it through the Iron Curtain in the 1970s, the band had a cult following here thanks to tape copies of iconic albums including "Islands" and "Larks' Tongues in Aspic". Not surprisingly, many old fans have remained devoted to the band and are eager to attend any show related to King Crimson. The first King Crimson Festival took place in Moscow last year, and now it is to be an annual event.

To the dismay of some fans, the legendary British progressive rock band itself isn't actually taking part in the fest, but one of King Crimson's current members - singer and guitarist Adrian Belew - is to perform with his side project, the Adrian Belew Power Trio. Their set is expected to be the fest's main highlight. Belew, who has been a King Crimson member since the band was formed by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969, is known for participation in many other projects. And while King Crimson is currently in a phase of semi-activity, Belew has been quite focused on touring and recording with his trio.

The trio, which also includes bassist Julie Slick and drummer Eric Slick, has been around since 2006, touring the United States, Europe and Australia. It put out its debut studio album with the title "e" earlier this year, "an extended suite in five distinct but interrelated sections", according to Belew.

Material from the album is likely to be performed in Moscow, as it was at the band's previous shows this year. A reviewer for The Buffalo News described their show last September as featuring a "lyrical, classical introduction", "bits of industrial near-metal, African polyrhythmic motifs" and "a purely ‘free' section of improvisation", observing that it triggered a "visceral and chaotic" response from the audience.

Another notable artist scheduled to appear is Eddie Jobson, a violinist and keyboardist who collaborated with King Crimson in the 1970s. He didn't have a high-profile presence in King Crimson, playing violin and electric piano on studio overdubs for 1975's live album "USA", but was quite well known as a member of Jethro Tull, a collaborator with Frank Zappa and, later, a participant in the supergroup U.K. in the late 1970s.

Jobson is coming to Moscow with a new project, U-Z, with a line-up featuring some well-known musicians, such as renowned drummer Marco Minnemann and Greg Howe, who was a guitarist in Michael Jackson's accompanying band.