Russian shows cancelled

[olazabalrok]

"Given the crackdown by Russian authorities on groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, I have regretfully decided to cancel my upcoming concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg in June.  I have always loved playing in Russia and have great affection for the country and the people.  I hope the current climate will change soon."  MK

http://guyfletcher.co.uk/index.php/page/News

[ingridswing]

That's a pity for the fans, I hope some of them will be able to travel abroad to visit a concert elsewhere in Europe. But great caracter from MK!

[Love Expresso]

Question is why putting them on the schedule at all. So this way it seems just as an alibi for poor ticket sales... The situation was the same when the tour dates where announced and before, wasn't it?

It fits however with his more political statements as of late. Remember the Pussy Riot thing and not at least the rhinos..

LE

[dmg]

It's fine to have beliefs and principles, but he has a responsibility to his fans (and others) to play there ever since the concerts were first advertised.  This stance is only going to affect his fans and have no effect whatsoever on the authorities.  Pretty poor show IMO.

[tunnel85]

It's fine to have beliefs and principles, but he has a responsibility to his fans (and others) to play there ever since the concerts were first advertised.  This stance is only going to affect his fans and have no effect whatsoever on the authorities.  Pretty poor show IMO.

I agree.
It's a very late and surprising decision.
I don't have the feeling that the situation regarding Human Rights and artists has recently changed.
I mean they knew the political situation a couple of months ago when they were planning the tour.

I think the actual reason is the recent Londongrad murders.

[rudiger]

The concert sticks of Moscow and St. Petersburg are still available for sale 
I agree, late decision 

[Jules]

It's fine to have beliefs and principles, but he has a responsibility to his fans (and others) to play there ever since the concerts were first advertised.  This stance is only going to affect his fans and have no effect whatsoever on the authorities.  Pretty poor show IMO.

AGREE!!!
 

[ingridswing]

Maybe the Londongrad murders are the so speaking limit for MK. Something must have happened that he planned to do the tour to Russia mid 2012 and now he changed his mind.

Of course it has no effect on authorities but everyone is free to make a statement. And yes I feel sorry for the fans in Russia.

[superval99]

I feel very sorry for the Russian fans, because a similar thing happened to us recently when a concert we were due to attend in Amsterdam was cancelled a few weeks prior to the show.   I am sure the fans will be very disappointed.   

[tunnel85]

Right now, all my thoughts go to Foma and Ustas and all the fans from Russia or who planned to go there.
That's really sad.

[dmg]

Right now, all my thoughts go to Foma and Ustas and all the fans from Russia or who planned to go there.
That's really sad.

Here, here.

[superval99]

Me too!   

But what I can't understand is why did he leave it until now?   He knew all these things were happening before the concert dates were arranged!      I feel very sad!   

[tobi777]

Like LE said the situation in Russia hasn't changed in the last months.

Like I said on the Facebook page: Hungary and Romania aren't paramount examples of democratic countries as well.
Should he cancel these dates, too??? And what about some American regions which seem to be stuck in the 19th century? Double standards?

Mark won't change the politics of Putin et al but he can give joy and strength to the people who live there and have no other choice than to hope for better times. That's his job!

[Jules]

Like LE said the situation in Russia hasn't changed in the last months.

Like I said on the Facebook page: Hungary and Romania aren't paramount examples of democratic countries as well.
Should he cancel these dates, too??? And what about some American regions which seem to be stuck in the 19th century? Double standards?

Mark won't change the politics of Putin et al but he can give joy and strength to the people who live there and have no other choice than to hope for better times. That's his job!

+1000

Russians fans are the ones that are going to pay for it.

Unfair, very, and useless, a lot. To have principles is great, dissapointing the fans that already had tickets and have little to blame is not nice at all.

[Lis]

I am also very sad for all the disappointed fans in Russia (and others who planned a trip to see MK in Moscow and St. Petersburg). 

Although I may not fully understand the reasons why the shows were cancelled, I really can't imagine that MK has done this lightheartedly.