Features
Twenty One Pilots, Nick Cave, Bring Me The Horizon, Franz Ferdinand & More Cancel Concerts In Russia
Photo by Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images – Stand With Ukraine:
Worldwide rallies and protests condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine include the “march for peace” pictured in St. Mark’s square in Venice, Italy, on March 2, 2022.
Cancellations for concerts in Russia keep pouring in as artists stand up for peace and show solidarity with Ukraine. The latest cancellations include performances from Twenty One Pilots, Nick Cave, Bring Me The Horizon and Franz Ferdinand.
Twenty One Pilots was supposed to play Otkritie Arena in Moscow July 10 as part of its summer European tour. The band tweeted March 1,” Due to the current tragic events, it is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of our Moscow show. This news feels insignificant given the gravity of what is happening. Peace will win and we hope for a time we can visit you again. We stand with Ukraine.”
Twenty One Pilots’ European travel plans kick off with a few festival appearances – June 17 at Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, Netherlands, June 18 at Hurricane Festival in Scheessel, Germany, and June 19 in Southside Festival in Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany.
As of press time Twenty One Pilots is still set to headline Atlas Weekend in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 8. The lineup for the biggest festival in Ukraine also features Placebo, Alt-J, Two Door Cinema Club, Within Temptation, Yungblud, Aurora, Apocalyptica, Leg Erez and more.
The site of Atlas, the venue the festival is named after, has been transformed into a shelter and collection point for necessities like water and food.
Vlad Yaremchuk, festival booker for Atlas Weekend, told Pollstar via telegram: “There are no cafes open, nor events happening. The whole country is at war, people only go outside to help our forces or to get goods when it’s possible. … Our work as festival promoters has frozen, we’re using all our resources to either provide humanitarian, logistical or military help, to contact all artists, colleagues, agents and other promoters and get them to spread the truth about the situation, share it with their audiences, organize special events and fundraisers, and to urge people to go to demonstrations and talk to their governments..”
The last time Twenty One Pilots played Russia was in 2019 when the band took the stage at The New Arena in St. Petersburg and CSKA Arena in Moscow. In 2016 Twenty One Pilots performed two sold-out shows in Russia – A2 Green Concert in St. Petersburg on Oct. 23, selling 6,469 tickets and grossing $251,864 (15,890,500 roubles) and Stadium Live in Moscow on Oct. 22, selling 6,986 tickets and grossing $336,274 (21,216,000 roubles).
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds shared the following update on Twitter March 1: “In light of current events, we have no choice but to cancel our shows in Russia and Ukraine which were due to take place this summer.
“Our thoughts and love go out to the brave people of Ukraine, their heroic leader, and all those suffering from this senseless war.
“Ukraine, we stand with you, and with all those in Russia who oppose this brutal act, and we pray that this madness is brought to a close soon.”
Franz Ferdinand lead singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos posted a thread of tweets about the band’s cancellations in Russia: “We are cancelling our Russian shows that are scheduled for this summer. The only reason for this is the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state. We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there seventeen years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans. Since Thursday morning, we have spoken to many of our friends in Russia via social media and have encountered unanimous opposition to this violence and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends. We know you see the madness of your country’s leadership. We know you do not want war. We do not want war. Despite the tragedy of this situation, we still burn a flame of optimism in our hearts and look forward to the day when we can return in a time of peace to share the joy of music together again.”
As for Bring Me The Horizon, the band posted the following statement on Twitter March 1: “In solidarity with Ukraine and to stand against the atrocities being committed by Russian leadership, we must cancel our forthcoming dates in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
“Ukraine is an incredibly special place for us. We have toured & made numerous music videos there, making lots of strong bonds & life long friendships. We are in awe of the bravery demonstrated right now by the Ukrainian people, & we pray for a return to peace as soon as possible.
“Russia we also want to acknowledge that the atrocities being committed by Russian leadership does not reflect the ideals or beliefs of the incredible people we have met there.
“We will be using our platform and voice to do what we can to support Ukraine in these incredibly difficult times.”
The Killers and Iggy Pop have nixed their respective July appearances at Park Live Festival in Moscow, according to Billboard.
“The festival appearance of Iggy Pop in Moscow on the 10th of July 2022 is canceled. In light of current events, this is necessary. Our thoughts are with the Ukrainians and all the brave people who oppose this violence and seek peace. #StandingWithUkraine” Iggy Pop tweeted March 1.
Billboard reports that Yungblud and Health have also called off shows in Russia.
As previously reported, other artists who have canceled tour dates in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine include Louis Tomlinson, Green Day, AJR and Russian rapper Oxxxymiron.