The planned Bi-2 concert in Dubai, scheduled for February 17, was cancelled, a decision confirmed through the group’s official Telegram channel Rock bands. The message communicated that the event would not proceed as originally advertised and noted the disappointment among fans who had been looking forward to the performance. In addition, it stated that ticket refunds would be issued to attendees by Platinumlist, the ticketing service responsible for processing purchases, with the refunds expected to appear in buyers’ accounts in the coming days. The cancellation itself added another chapter to a sequence of events affecting the band during the current cycle of international activity.
Following the Dubai announcement, new online posts from the Bi-2 camp provided further context. On February 10, a post appeared featuring photographs and videos depicting a Thai prison, drawing attention to legal or administrative challenges faced by the group or its members in relation to Thai authorities. These visuals underscored a broader narrative involving travel, residence, and work-permit considerations that had been developing in parallel with the Dubai cancellation.
Earlier in the year, on January 25, reports indicated that members of Bi-2 were detained in Thailand. The authorities subsequently issued decisions regarding a planned concert in Pattaya and Phuket provinces, revealing that the artists reportedly did not possess the necessary work permits to perform in those locations. This sequence of events appears to have influenced tour plans and added a layer of complexity to the band’s international engagements, prompting questions about visa status, permits, and compliance with local regulations in multiple jurisdictions.
Around February 2, Simona Halperin, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Russian Federation, spoke about the possibility that Bi-2 group members might pursue or obtain a residence permit in that country, a development that could have implications for future travel and performances in the region. Prior to this, statements from Egor Bortnik, a member of Bi-2, suggested that he faced detention circumstances in Thailand, which aligned with the broader discussions about legal and immigration matters affecting the group. The unfolding situation highlighted how geopolitical and bureaucratic issues intersect with the performing arts, sometimes influencing concert schedules and international collaborations for bands with a diverse and multinational fan base.
Additional updates indicated that prior participants in Bi-2 had reportedly declined communication with Russian consular staff, a detail that added another angle to the evolving narrative surrounding the band’s international activities and the responses of official agencies. Taken together, these developments illustrate a period of significant administrative and legal scrutiny that has intersected with Bi-2’s touring plans, prompting fans and industry observers to monitor further announcements for clarity on future engagements and potential new dates for performances in the region.