In response to the war in Ukraine, Western artists no longer stop in Russia during their tours. But the Russians know how to deal with that. A Russian company has launched package holidays so Russian pop fans can attend concerts by Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and other stars elsewhere in Europe.
Vladimir Putin has previously found creative ways to get around Western trade restrictions, from luxury cars to toys. Now Russia is tackling a different kind of boycott: Western pop.
Tour operator Russia Express’ current package holidays include trips to concerts by Ed Sheeran and Deep Purple in Serbia, James Blunt in the United Arab Emirates and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in Turkey, The Telegraph reports. To see Ed Sheeran in action, Russians can book a five-day all-inclusive for his concert in Belgrade in August. Cost price: converted 1,048 euros.
“Popular”
A spokesperson for Russia Express stated that it had already sold 150 package holidays for concerts taking place this autumn and that these musical holidays have remained “popular” throughout.
Western artists are very popular in Russia, everyone still listens to English-language music
Brit living in Moscow
“Western artists are very popular in Russia, everyone still listens to English-language music. And Moscow used to be a stop on their tours, but that’s clearly not the case anymore,” said Jonny Tickle, a Brit living in Moscow.
Russia Express is not the only one jumping on the bandwagon. Earlier this year, Moscow radio station Europa Plus launched the ‘Live Tour 2024’ competition, which will run all year long and offer the chance to win a series of trips to concerts and festivals around the world. Prizes include all-inclusive packages to see Coldplay in Budapest, Pink in Stockholm, Adele in Munich and Taylor Swift in Vienna.
Russian airlines are no longer allowed to fly to the European Union and the EU has tightened visa restrictions for Russian tourists, making travel to the EU much more difficult, but not impossible.
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