The SHAMAN project, led by the performer known publicly as Yaroslav Dronov, has drawn renewed attention after recent public remarks from a director involved in the production. A focal element is a stage prop—a red button mounted on a black bag—that the creative team describes as a theatrical device rather than a functional instrument. The intent is to add visual tempo to the performance, not to signal any real-world action. This explanation was given by the artist’s team to clarify why the device features during shows in large venues.
In official statements, the red button is described as a prop that enhances the choreography. It serves as a visual cue rather than a mechanism with tangible consequences. The representative noted that this technique had previously appeared at a July concert in a stadium in Novomoskovsk, where the moment was designed to captivate the audience and craft a memorable stage image. The emphasis remains on artistic expression and stagecraft rather than any endorsement of concrete actions.
During the event, some audience members reacted strongly to the allusion associated with the nuclear-inspired briefcase. Reports indicate that certain spectators felt uneasy or unsettled by the metaphor displayed on stage, underscoring how powerful symbolic elements can provoke varied emotional responses in a live setting. The production team acknowledged these reactions and asserted that the item functions as a device for drama and not as a representation of real threats.
Recent broadcasts highlighted another moment when SHAMAN, during a solo performance in St. Petersburg, activated the red button while delivering the line I am Russian. The moment, captured by a major national network, was followed by a pyrotechnic display, underscoring the use of high-impact visuals to reinforce the narrative. Viewers were reminded that the theatrics are part of staging rather than a political statement.
On November 4, SHAMAN, alongside a public figure from a recognized online safety organization, performed the Russian anthem to inaugurate the Russia forum exhibition at VDNKh. The red button’s presence in this ceremonial setting was part of a broader display intended to symbolize national pride and cultural heritage.
Industry insiders report that the artist’s management indicated substantial fees for live performances, with figures cited in the range of two to three million rubles per concert. This information has fed discussions about the scale and reach of SHAMAN’s touring schedule, reflecting the commercial dynamics of contemporary pop performances in the region.
Earlier remarks touched on ticketing practices at major theatres and noted the introduction of a separate queue for Nutcracker tickets, illustrating how the artist navigates a spectrum of public appearances from stadium concerts to prestigious theatre events, all within a media-driven environment and fan interest.