9 months ago
US Stars Tour Former USSR as Putin's War Shifts Music Scene
Since the war in Ukraine, many big American music stars have started performing in countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
This is because they can't perform in Moscow anymore.
These concerts are very popular, and many people from Russia and other countries are traveling to see them.
The concerts are also helping these countries' economies by bringing in tourists and creating new jobs.
People are enjoying the music and the new experiences, and it's making these places more connected to the rest of the world.
It's a big change from before the war, when most of the performances were by older, less famous artists.
US music stars are touring former Soviet countries due to the war in Ukraine and the closure of Moscow as a tour destination.
More than 20 global artists have performed in central Asia and the Caucasus since 2022, many for the first time.
Demand for tickets among Russians has increased 70-fold, with concerts bringing economic benefits to host countries.
Household consumption in central Asia has surged 8.6% on average over the past five years, with similar growth in Georgia and Armenia.
Concerts are fostering new industries and connections across the region, with local technicians gaining experience in running large shows.
- Who
- US music stars like Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, and Deep Purple
- What
- Touring in former Soviet countries due to the war in Ukraine
- Where
- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia
- When
- Since 2022, with a surge in 2023
- Why
- To tap into the lucrative Russian market and due to the closure of Moscow as a tour destination
Key facts
- Key Artists
- Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys, Guns 'n' Roses, Bruno Mars, Deep Purple
- Regions Visited
- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia
- Ticket Demand Increase
- 70-fold increase in demand among Russians for tickets to concerts abroad
- Economic Impact
- Household consumption in central Asia surged 8.6% on average over the past five years
- Georgia's Economic Growth
- 4.7% growth since the invasion, projected to grow 5%
- J-Lo's Impact in Armenia
- 15,000 visitors spent about $20 million in Yerevan, generating $3 million in tax revenue
- Timberlake's Crowd
- Drew crowds of more than 50,000 in Azerbaijan and Georgia
Quotes
Hayk Simonyan
Founder of Doping Space, the company that staged J-Lo’s first concert in Yerevan.
“Music shapes the public mood.”
livemint.com
“The first fully realized commercial mega-event in Armenia’s history.”
livemint.com
Sergey Chikin
A rock fan from Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial capital.
“Before the war in Ukraine, this city mostly hosted washed-up former stars. Now people come here from across the former Soviet Union, including from Russia.”
livemint.com
Giorgi Gugeshashvili
A backstage manager helping to run the night at the Tbilisi Sports Palace.
“The production side gains experience show by show. What used to have me shaking with nerves is normal now.”
livemint.com
Ian Gillan
Lead singer of Deep Purple.
“It’s very lovely to be here.”
livemint.com
Oleg
A 57-year-old construction worker from Minsk.
“In Belarus there are no concerts at all. Politics killed everything off.”
livemint.com
Elena
A 43-year-old entrepreneur from Moscow.
“Nothing like this happens back home anymore.”
livemint.com
Leila
A 19-year-old Georgian student from Tbilisi.
“I’m proud. If you look back two or three years, none of this existed.”
livemint.com
Sources
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