Russian pop singer Sergey Lazarev has addressed the scheduling overlap between his upcoming Saint Petersburg concerts and reported shows by American rapper Kanye West, stating he sees no rivalry between the two events.
West is scheduled to perform at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg on October 10 and October 11. On those exact same dates, Lazarev is set to give his own major performances at the city's SKA Arena.
Speaking to media outlet Super, Lazarev said that if West's arrival in Russia indeed takes place, it will undoubtedly be a significant occasion for the rapper's fanbase. He added that having a wider variety of artists for audiences to choose from is a positive development for concertgoers.
Lazarev emphasized that preparations for his own shows are progressing according to plan. With tickets for his October 10 and 11 concerts already completely sold out, the singer announced an additional performance in Saint Petersburg on October 9 to meet demand.
Concert venue capacities and tour dates
The dual bookings place two of the season's largest musical events in Saint Petersburg on the same weekend. The Gazprom Arena on Krestovsky Island serves as the city's main stadium venue, while the newly constructed SKA Arena stands among the largest indoor concert facilities in the region. Following his Saint Petersburg dates, Lazarev is scheduled to give five concerts in Moscow from October 22 to October 26.
Addressing potential clashes for audience attention, Lazarev concluded that every performer commands their own separate fanbase, eliminating any reason to frame the overlapping dates as a competition. Lazarev has long been one of Russia's most prominent pop vocalists, having represented the country twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. West, an influential American hip hop producer and performer, maintains a substantial international following.
Political response to reported visit
Earlier, Elena Drapeko, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Culture and Honored Artist of the RSFSR, commented on reports regarding West's arrival in Russia. She emphasized that the artist is needed in the country because he has many fans there.
Drapeko serves in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, which handles legislative matters including cultural affairs.
