The British band Smokie known all over the world for their smashing hit “Living Next Door to Alice” have been appearing in one of Moscow's clubs. Their programme was made up of their old hits, as well as brand new songs.

It's not the band's first visit to Moscow. They are frequent visitors to Russia and unlike many international artists their destinations are not just Moscow and St. Petersburg. They've been to many Russian regions and have always received a very warm welcome.

“Russian audience is more enthusiastic compared with, say, British audience, which tends to be a little bit more conservative,” says Mike Craft.

This time the band wasn't disappointed. Again in Moscow Smokie met with their devoted fans. However, there were few youngsters at the gig. Popular with the older generation, Smokie probably can't compete with the latest pop idols.

Though Smokie didn't begin the show with their well known songs, the audience eagerly joined in, seeming caring little about language barriers.

As bass guitar Terry Uttley remarks, their public is “a Smokie public, and the language doesn’t matter”.

One might say they're outdated and that they are living off their past success. But while they are still capable of filling the house they've got to be regarded as “on the musical map”.