Leonid & Friends at Academy of Music in Northampton, MA on May 25, 2025
LEONID & FRIENDS, a Russian Chicago tribute band based in Moscow, who gained popularity through their viral YouTube video clips, brought their well-rehearsed and high-spirited show dubbed the “2025 or 6 to 4 Tour” to the Academy of Music in Northampton, Massachusetts on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Band leader Leonid Vorobyev, a multi-instrumentalist, recording studio sound engineer, and choir conductor, is the band’s founder. Along with Vorobyev on bass guitar, the band includes Igor Javad-Zade (drums/percussion), Vasily Akimov (lead and backing vocals, percussion, rhythm guitar), Ksenia Buzina (backing and lead vocals, percussion), Andrey Zyl (trumpet, flugelhorn), Oleg Kudryavtsev (tenor and alto saxophones, flute, percussion, backing vocals), Maxim Likhachev (trombone, percussion), Sergey Kurmaev (keyboards, backing vocals), Konstantin Kovachev (lead guitar), Danil Buranov (lead and backing vocals, percussion), and Mikhail Puntov (lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion).
When my best friend Tom informed me that he’d got us tickets to see a Chicago tribute band, I was appreciative for a night out with the guys, but not overly enthusiastic. Not being that much of a fan of Chicago, and not knowing anything about the band we were going to see, made me a bit apprehensive beforehand to say the least; yet after an inspiring introduction of the band from their manager, who explained that they were from Russia and the Ukraine and emphasized the theme of unity, the eleven band members slowly made their way to the sparsely lit stage and took their respective positions. They immediately changed my mind and attitude with their first song, Chicago’s “Make Me Smile,” which they performed with great gusto, the crowd singing along with the “I’m so happy” refrain, and then erupting into a rousing round of applause that set the tone for the night. Apparently, the fans in the packed house knew more about this band than I did.
Not only do they replicate Chicago’s signature sound, complex arrangements, and harmony vocals with amazing precision and accuracy, but also performed numbers by Earth, Wind, & Fire, Blood, Tower of Power, The Ides of March, Lighthouse and Steely Dan with the same level of musicality, vigor, and vitality. Each vocalist had their featured song, which spotlighted their unique singing prowess that wowed the crowd, who let out bouts of spontaneous shouts, call outs, whistles, and cheers for each of them when they hit and held some high notes. Female vocalist Ksenia Buzina even dared the impossible – covering a Carpenters’ song. Karen Carpenter had one of the singular ethereal singing voices, which is impossible to duplicate, although Ksenia did an impressive, more-than-passible performance. Buzina was also featured on “Ain’t Nobody,” belting out a Chakka Khan inspired vocal.
The band contains some exceptional players. Drummer Igor Javad-Zade provided a powerful back beat the entire night, and a solid foundation with Vorobyev on bass guitar. Keyboardist Sergey Kurmaev and all the brass players flavored each song with their spot-on accompaniment. The animated Oleg Kudryavtsev, who played saxophone as well as flute on a few songs, was a ball of energy – dancing, grooving, and moving around the stage, encouraging and fist-pumping his bandmates. During “I’m a Man,” he leaped down from the stage into the audience while playing the wood block, only to appear a moment later back on stage still keeping time. Guitarist Konstantin Kovachev played with great dexterity and skill, performing some amazing solos, including the signature Jeff “Skunk” Baxter solo on Steely Dan’s “My Old School.”
The lights came up periodically throughout the night, and the band got everyone in attendance clapping along and singing various choruses to songs, including “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” and “Beginnings.” When they introduced the band toward the end, they also included their staff and personnel who worked behind the scenes, something I had not heard other bands do. They ended the night with the lights on, and the patrons standing, dancing, and singing along to Earth Wind and Fire’s classic “September.” Their manager came back on stage and told the crowd they were now “official ambassadors” and to spread the word about the band and to pass along any joy they felt from the night’s performance. The jubilant vibe was certainly palpable, with everyone, including myself, exiting the venue in high spirits. From start to finish, a fantastic show.
More information about Leonid & Friends and their tour at: http://leonidandfriends.band/
Set 1:
Make Me Smile (Chicago)
One Fine Morning (Lighthouse)
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Chicago)
So Very Hard to Go (Tower of Power)
Vehicle (The Ides of March)
Superstar (Carpenters)
I Say a Little Prayer for You (Dionne Warwick)
What Is Hip? (Tower of Power)
Reasons (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Questions 67 & 68 (Chicago)
Set 2:
Fantasy (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Feelin’ Stronger Every Day (Chicago)
Beginnings (Chicago)
(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long (Chicago)
My Old School (Steely Dan)
Colour My World (Chicago)
Ain’t Nobody (Rufus & Chaka Khan)
Hard to Say I’m Sorry / Get Away (Chicago)
I’m a Man (The Spencer Davis Group/Chicago)
25 or 6 to 4 (Chicago)
-Band & Personnel Introductions-
Make Me Smile (Reprise)/Now More Than Ever (Chicago)
ENCORE:
September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
