The organizer of the concert Ye revealed how to attract a Western artist to Russia

Western artists are now difficult to convince to come to Russia, said in an interview with RBC General Director and founder of Say Agency Anna Subcheva.

According to her, the agency has to explain to the performers and their management what is happening in Russia, sometimes show the situation by video link. As an example, she cited a story when foreign media mistakenly showed the damaged air harbor of Aleppo in Syria under the guise of Sochi airport. This publication caused alarm among representatives of the American rapper Akon a few days before his concert in Sirius in 2025.

“You understand that there is propaganda on the other side as well. You understand what they see there, and what hard work we have to prove and show that this is not the case. It happens that we call them by video link and go outside, show that everything is calm. It is very difficult to convince the artist to agree to come here today, said Subcheva.

In addition, the organizers have to give the artists security guarantees and solve problems with logistics. Western performers want to perform in Russia, says Subchev. Some of those who refuse to travel are promising to come later.

In August, Say Agency announced Kanye West’s concerts at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg on October 10 and 11 and began selling tickets. However, about a week later, the site reported that the lease agreement with the organizer was not concluded.

In September, concerts disappeared from the schedule of the official website of the rapper's tour. On September 29, the American agency Access Opera, which acts as a partner of West's concert tour, reported that his performances in St. Petersburg will not take place. A source close to the presidential administration reported that the concert was not agreed with the city authorities in advance.

On September 30, the cancellation of the concerts scheduled for October was confirmed by Say Agency. The agency said that the opportunity to return funds for purchased tickets will open on October 12.