Russia Cancels Rock Band's Performance After It Dedicated A Song To Artists Fleeing Country

A Russian rock band's gig this week was canceled after the group dedicated a song to other artists who fled Russia in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine during a previous concert, according to reports

The St. Petersburg-based Splean, which was set to appear this Friday at the "Music with a Strong Character" festival at Moscow's VEB Arena, will no longer perform in the event.

Russian authorities canceled the rock group's performance, U.S. government-funded outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

While Splean's performance has not been officially canceled, the group has been removed from the festival's list of participants.

Event organizer Pavel Obluchkov of the Moscow Show company was sought for comment, but he did not respond to calls and messages, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

Splean's canceled show was connected to the band's performance during last weekend's Chernozem rock festival in Voronezh, Russia, lead singer Alexander Vasilyev confirmed.

"It is nice to see so many people who have preserved mercy, compassion, philanthropy, who do not accept cruelty, violence and murder," Vasilyev said Saturday as he expressed his hope that artists who were forced to leave Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine would return.

"In these black nights, even major songs sound sad. We will play for you here in Voronezh, because we have no other choice," he said, before Splean performed the song "No Exit" by the Russian rock band Leningrad in dedication to the artists who fled.

Splean's Chernozem performance was reportedly removed from the recording of the online broadcast posted on the internet.

Russia has canceled dozens of performances across the country of artists who expressed their disapproval of the country's invasion of Ukraine, which started in late February, according to the Kommersant report.

Russian authorities even charged artists who voiced their opinions on the ongoing conflict, including Russian rock legend Yury Shevchuk. The 65-year-old lead singer of the Russian rock band DDT delivered an anti-war speech during a concert in the city of Ufa back in May.

The cancellation of Splean's Moscow performance differed from other cases as Vasilyev made no direct mention of the war in Ukraine or of Russia's leadership, Kommersant noted.