Ukraine crisis: Putin's invasion prompts rockers Franz Ferdinand to axe Russia gigs

Scots rockers Franz Ferdinand have cancelled two concerts in Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The band, who have enjoyed chart success with songs including Take Me Out and Do You Want To, said that the “only reason” for axing the shows was “the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state”.

With a greatest hits album due for later in March, a concert tour is scheduled across Europe starting from April and stretching into November.

Russia gigs axed: Franz FerdinandRussia gigs axed: Franz Ferdinand
Russia gigs axed: Franz Ferdinand
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The band were due to perform in St Petersburg on June 29, before going to a gig in Moscow on July 1.

However, the band tweeted: “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.”

They made clear: “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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“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.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.