A Sochi resident described an incident at a MakSim concert, noting that the artist appeared to be in a troubling state throughout the performance. The observer said they decided not to attend after reassessing, believing the organizers should cancel to protect the audience and the artist’s dignity.
Another attendee recounted the experience with more detail. The performer seemed uncomfortable, wore a large, casual hoodie, and showed signs that suggested distress. The first few songs did not sound right, and the sense of unease grew as the set continued. By the third track, many concertgoers chose to stand and leave with the majority of others, while later reports described the fifth song as a quiet moment before the team exited the stage en masse. Silence filled the hall for about half an hour as organizers did not address the audience or offer refunds. Eventually, police arrived, and some attendees called to discuss refunds. Observers felt it would have been better if the performance had not continued, so the memory was not tarnished by a difficult moment on stage.
A further account from another spectator emphasized that rumors about discarding a microphone were inaccurate. It appeared clear that the artist was unwell, prompting consideration of a cancellation or the use of a backing track to finish the show.
According to this witness, the microphone was not thrown away. It seemed that the singer grew increasingly ill toward the end and exited the stage. The overall performance suggested the vocalist could not sing effectively, with a hoarse voice and visible struggle. There was no indication of intoxication, but it was evident that health issues affected the act. The observer believed the artist deserved sympathy for this hardship and felt that the decision not to complete the show should have been made by the organizers, who perhaps could have played the backing track to spare the crowd and reduce suffering among attendees who had paid for seats or standing access. The witness emphasized that the choice to continue performing appeared to cause additional distress among fans who had traveled to the venue, and the decision should have rested with event organizers.
That witness also expressed human sympathy for the performer, noting that efforts to sing persisted despite the condition. They stressed that hearing about illness from the crowd likely worsened the situation, and their group of friends agreed they would not seek refunds given the artist’s perseverance. The concert featured popular songs performed to the best of the artist’s ability during a challenging moment, and the crowd enjoyed dancing on the floor despite the circumstances. While the cost of admission varied, those seated on the floor or closer to the stage felt the impact more acutely, and some attendees expressed frustration with how the situation was handled.
A separate account from a MakSim fan who traveled from Kolomna to Krasnaya Polyana confirmed that a refund request was filed, though the request stemmed from the interruption rather than a general dissatisfaction with the artist. The fan suggested that if the performance had concluded with satisfactory sound, refunds would not have been a consideration, given that the artist was dealing with illness. The sentiment shared was that the interruption was sad, and the overall experience was marred by health issues rather than any lack of effort from the performer.
Video footage previously circulated showing the artist exiting the stage in Sochi with a composed posture. Those present described the moment as the artist leaving while seemingly unwell. An industry source noted that the onset of health problems appeared to affect the quality of the event, which led to the show’s premature conclusion. The overall tone was one of concern for the performer and disappointment for fans who hoped to see a full, uninterrupted performance.