Russian shows cancelled

[Hophead]

Another disgusting comments among good ones (fortunately, there is enough of it): "Old fool, why the hell are you going into politics?!", "Mediocre country-guitarist have too high an opinion of oneself!", "I no longer respect Mark Knopfler", etc.

BUT! Some of erupean folks got angry and wrote something like "Russians have got what they are deserved!", "It serves you rght!", etc.

Many people have showed their dark sides, it's what, again, really bothers me. Mark are 100% correct. It's a great decision, because organisations, supported by him, got blamed for nothing! It's like they [authorities] would say to Mark

[sweetsurrender]

I feel for the fans who have made plans to attend the 2 shows in Russia.  I would be absolutely upset if it were to happen to me.   I respect Mark's decision, but frankly, punishing fans by making political statements makes me wonder how  effective it is or will it ever be???  I doubt things will change just because MK or other artists decide not to play in Russia ? 

[twm]

Over the years, musical boycotts may not have had a profound effect on whatever the politics prevailing in the country subject to the boycott but it isn't just a case of the impact. If performers feel uncomfortable (or more) about performing in that country, then it is their right not to perform there. That refusal may be on an individual basis or as part of an organised campaign. It doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter whether I agree with that stance or not. That is the performer's right, as long as it is a decision made freely.

The difference here is that the shows were contracted, advertised and tickets sold. For MK to have gone back at this stage in the process suggests that it is something about which he feels strongly. It is not a decison that he would take lightly. You guys will know more about his previous career than I do but I seem to recall that he has played concerts in support of Amnesty International in the past. If my recall is accurate, then it would hypocrisy on his part to go ahead with the concerts given the change in that organisation's legal status in Russia and the subsequent pressure applied to it by the authorities there.

Sure, those authorities are hardly likely to change their law just because MK has cancelled a couple of shows (or the way in which they apply that law) . They will hardly be quaking in their boots. They will probably regard MK as a "foreign agent" from now on and, for as long as these policies and practices continue, it is unlikely that MK will again get permission to stage concerts in that country.

I feel sad for the Russian fans about both this cancellation and its likely effect on the prospects for shows in the future but that's the way I see it. An action leads to a reaction and the result is a different stasis. I'd like to think we get a new song out of it but I doubt this will happen.

[Suprlinda]

twm, I wonder if one could carry it further, too.  With Mark's comments over the girls and now this, I have been wondering if he would now be considered a "foreign agent" and also subject to these inspections?  I can picture it, at some future time they play a concert in Russia, but then can't leave as they were detained as foreign agents!     That could disrupt a tour pretty badly, as well as being a less than pleasant experience for anyone in the band.   

[Rkd]

Well, MK seems to have at least gotten under the skin of Putin et al.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130405/mark-knopfler-cancels-russia-tour-over-rights-crackdown

[Love Expresso]

"Let him go to hell... Who does he think he is?" Kobzon told Kommersant FM radio station. "If it was Elton John, that would be another matter."

In some way, there is some truth in it...

LE

[Pottel]

Oh Nikita you will never know..........

[man on a track]

I respect Mark's decision, but frankly, punishing fans by making political statements makes me wonder how effective it is or will it ever be??

It's not a political statement at all.
It's a statement for humanity, justice and consequence.
That's as anti political as can be.
Mark is definitely not a hypocrite. (unlike politicians)
Great decision, Mark!
Don't worry too much about the fans.
Most will forget soon and see other artists...
Fans who lose their respect for him due to that aren't "fans" anyway.
Mark isn't doing "business as usual".

[Hophead]

"Let him go to hell... Who does he think he is?" Kobzon told Kommersant FM radio station. "If it was Elton John, that would be another matter."

In some way, there is some truth in it...

LE

Well...Sir Elton just happens to be playing 2 dates in Russia in December... wouldn't it be fitting if he decided to cancel after a comment like that?   

[ustas]

I have been wondering if he would now be considered a "foreign agent" and also subject to these inspections?  I can picture it, at some future time they play a concert in Russia, but then can't leave as they were detained as foreign agents!     That could disrupt a tour pretty badly, as well as being a less than pleasant experience for anyone in the band.   

Just to be correct:

Foreign agent is an local non-profit organization receiving money or other aid from outside Russia. Russian parliament approved in 2012 a law very similar to The Foreign Agents Registration Act in U.S. which  "requiring that agents representing the interests of foreign powers in a "political or quasi-political capacity" disclose their relationship with the foreign government and information about related activities and finances"

Of course Mark is not "agent" and never will be.

[twm]

http://www.aol.co.uk/video/bemused-vladimir-putin-confronted-by-topless-protesters/517736719/

[vgonis]

I have been thinking about it for some days, even though my initial reaction was that nothing's changed in Russia in the last few months, and that he could do greater good by going there.

But now I have two theories:

1. The obvious one, probably too in our faces to consider it. That all the world noticed and talk about it for a whole week already! Raising awareness is the best thing. And he did that simply by cancelling. Now I have been talking with a friend of mine about Putin's popularity in Russia and he's been telling me that he is extremely popular and it is genuine.

2.If "follow the money" is the explanation for many things, I guess that people getting their money back when returning the tickets, will also deprive the state from a considerable amount of VAT and taxes. And believe me, MK loses money with this decision so it was not taken lightly.

So bravo Mark! Maybe he should cancel some more tours for similar reasons in Europe and of course in the UK. 

[twm]

When I wrote that MK might be regarded as a "foreign agent", I did put those two words in "inverted commas", as I have done again. It was not to suggest that MK might be regarded as a spy.

Yes, maybe Putin is popular in Russia but, as far as I can gather, less so in metropolitan areas, such as Moscow, than in places further from the cities. However, in societies that are less open, popularity can be difficult to judge. 

 

[shangri la 1]

It's not a political statement at all.
It's a statement for humanity, justice and consequence.
That's as anti political as can be.
Mark is definitely not a hypocrite. (unlike politicians)
Great decision, Mark!
Don't worry too much about the fans.
Most will forget soon and see other artists...
Fans who lose their respect for him due to that aren't "fans" anyway.
Mark isn't doing "business as usual".

Agree 100% moat. Describes Mark and his stand & this situation to a T!!

[sweetsurrender]

I have been thinking about it for some days, even though my initial reaction was that nothing's changed in Russia in the last few months, and that he could do greater good by going there.

But now I have two theories:

1. The obvious one, probably too in our faces to consider it. That all the world noticed and talk about it for a whole week already! Raising awareness is the best thing. And he did that simply by cancelling. Now I have been talking with a friend of mine about Putin's popularity in Russia and he's been telling me that he is extremely popular and it is genuine.

2.If "follow the money" is the explanation for many things, I guess that people getting their money back when returning the tickets, will also deprive the state from a considerable amount of VAT and taxes. And believe me, MK loses money with this decision so it was not taken lightly.

So bravo Mark! Maybe he should cancel some more tours for similar reasons in Europe and of course in the UK.

And come play instead in NA !!