“I don’t know a single Kazakh who didn’t try“ - Max Korzh on canceled Almaty concert

Tengrinews.kz – Belarusian artist Max Korzh has spoken out after the sudden cancellation of his concert in Almaty, which was scheduled for September 6 at the Central Stadium.

In a video message on Instagram, the musician explained that despite months of preparation, the show was called off after city authorities refused to approve the event.

“We did everything possible to make this concert happen. But the authorities firmly decided not to take responsibility for it,” Korzh said.

At the same time, he stressed that the decision was not linked to Kazakhstan itself.

“Kazakhstan is still a wonderful country with kind people. I don’t know a single Kazakh who didn’t try to influence the situation this past week,” he noted.

Korzh urged fans to remain calm over the weekend and avoid provocations, saying he did not want to justify the authorities’ concerns.

Organizers’ position

The concert had been in preparation since November 2024 with more than 500 specialists involved. Around 35,000 tickets were sold, with over 17,000 foreign fans expected to attend. However, organizers said the previously granted permit was revoked in late August, officially citing the technical condition of the stadium’s pitch.

The team expressed regret, noting they had invested “enormous resources” into the show. All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

Local officials pointed to the need to preserve the field for upcoming UEFA Champions League matches of FC Kairat, while Korzh’s team insisted special covering had been planned to protect the pitch and that three weeks would have been enough for recovery.

The cancellation comes after last year’s similar setback, leaving fans disappointed. While Korzh said he could not predict when his next performance in Kazakhstan will be, he promised:

“Sooner or later, we will definitely meet, and it will be a beautiful day.”