An anonymous concert promoter spoke to mk.ru, revealing a pattern of concert cancellations affecting a range of performers across Russia.
The promoter suggested the withdrawals are tied to the way the media fuels disputes over minor issues. He argued that while a performer like Kirkorov faced critical attention two decades ago, today every new accusation is amplified far more intensely. He noted that even a grandmother with a social media account can post a denunciation, yet journalists have the power to turn these isolated stories into a sensational narrative that local authorities feel compelled to respond to, whether or not the facts fully justify it.
The organizer claimed that authorities pull back on events just to be cautious. He observed that public statements from casual commentators have increasingly appeared in the press, shaping opinions before any official decision is made. In his view, the media cycle creates a climate in which cancellations are perceived as prudent, even when they may not rest on solid contractual or logistical grounds.
On April 5, reports emerged that the concert by Diana Arbenina in Ulyanovsk had been canceled. The director of the concert hall explained that a major regional event was slated to take place on the eve of the original date, and that organizers would struggle to stage two large-scale gatherings back-to-back. Subsequently, Arbenina’s performances in additional cities—Pyatigorsk, Kazan, Krasnodar, Perm, and Togliatti—were also called off. A spokesperson for the Samara Region Ministry of Sports stated that the Togliatti show did not occur due to a breach of contractual terms, underscoring the financial and logistical pressures behind such decisions. The changes were presented as necessary adjustments to keep a demanding schedule feasible, but they fed a broader conversation about the influence of media narratives on cultural events across the country.