Russian pro-war singer Shaman has faced cancellations of his concerts in two cities, Nizhny Tagil and Magnitogorsk, due to low ticket sales. The singer, known for his “Victory” tour, aims to promote Russia’s victory over Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. Despite starting off his 100-city tour on Red Square with plans to perform in Ukrainian cities occupied by Russia, Shaman’s concerts have been met with resistance from some audiences.
The cancellations of Shaman’s concerts come amid backlash over his high performance fees, with a concert in Orenburg costing 16 million rubles drawing criticism following floods in the region earlier in the year. Authorities in the Stavropol region also canceled one of Shaman’s shows and demanded a refund of 15 million rubles from the singer. This has put a spotlight on the financial aspect of Shaman’s concerts, raising questions about the motivations behind his tour.
The independent news outlet Agentstvo reported that ticket sales for Shaman’s concerts in several cities, including Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, and Tver, are at risk of being canceled due to poor sales. However, concerts in Perm, Kurgan, and Tyumen are either sold out or close to it, suggesting varying levels of interest in Shaman’s performances across different regions of Russia. Shaman’s performances have also reportedly received lower TV ratings compared to other popular programs.
Shaman’s tour and his message promoting Russia’s victory over Ukraine have stirred controversy and divided opinions among audiences. The cancellation of his concerts in Nizhny Tagil and Magnitogorsk due to low ticket sales reflects a lack of enthusiasm for his message in certain regions of Russia. As the conflict with Ukraine enters its eighth year, Shaman’s attempt to “program” his audience to think about Russia’s victory raises questions about the impact of such messaging on public perception.
Overall, Shaman’s “Victory” tour has faced obstacles including cancellations, backlash over performance fees, and low ticket sales in certain cities. The varying levels of interest in his concerts across different regions of Russia highlight the complexity of promoting a pro-war message in a country still deeply affected by the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The future of Shaman’s tour remains uncertain as he continues to face challenges in connecting with audiences and delivering his controversial message.
