This was my second in-person Zemfira concert – my first was 22 years ago in our shared hometown of Ufa. Back then, I was half my current age and single. Now, I'm married with children, and I was thrilled to take both my wife and my teenage girls since there was no age limit! What a special experience and in NYC, who could have thought about it!
Our first visit to MSG was a little disorienting initially – there are a lot of entrances! Luckily, the helpful staff guided us in the right direction (it turns out the best access was towards the back). We loved the venue's friendly atmosphere. I didn't realize MSG hosts multiple events at once – a hockey game and other concerts were happening the same day!
Inside, it had a cozy cinema-like feel – subdued lighting, concession stands, and very clean restrooms. We bought general admission tickets and were lucky enough to get right to the center of the action, just feet from the stage! It was crowded, but there was plenty of room to dance and jump around. We never felt suffocated.
Zemfira was incredible! Her energy on stage was infectious – mimicking, jumping, and interacting with the audience. There weren't long breaks or intermissions, making the whole concert feel like one amazing flow. Her outfit was immaculate - black shimmering sequin blazer coupled with impossibly skinny trousers - nothing distracted from her performance.
As usual, Zemfira started a bit late (the show began at 9 pm instead of 7:30 pm), but her performance lasted almost two hours! Even after the encore, nobody rushed us out, which created a relaxed end to a fantastic night. We were able to locate my sister in the crowd and exit venue together.
Tips for Future Concert-goers:
- Be prepared for multiple entrances at MSG; the best access might be towards the rear of the building.
- The inside has a cozy, cinema-like atmosphere.
- Get there early and get general admission tickets to score the best spots!
- Don't bring pepper spray - it would be confiscated!
- You can actually try to bring inside some food, I was able to bring a half-finished gyro for my starved daughters!