Elton John Russia gig to go ahead as planned

The show will go ahead despite fears over a law banning 'gay propaganda'

Elton John‘s gig in Moscow tonight will go ahead as planned, despite fears the show may have been cancelled because of a Russian law banning ‘gay propaganda’.

Organisers have confirmed that Sir Elton will perform live at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall tonight (December 6). BBC News reports that Russian promoters, SAV Entertainment, issued a statement confirming that the gig in Moscow, as well as a second date in Kazan next week, will both go ahead.

“Despite the groundless rumours spread by the internet and media that Elton John’s concerts in Russia could be cancelled, the organiser assures you that Elton John’s shows in Moscow and Kazan will go ahead as planned,” the statement says.

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Speaking in an interview with The Guardian in September, the singer claimed that he chose to play the gigs to show support for gay people in Russia affected by the controversial law banning . “I’ve got to go. And I’ve got to think about what I’m going to say very carefully. As a gay man, I can’t leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’ve got to go.”

Earlier this year Lady Gaga‘s tour promoter was fined by a Russian court for “propaganda of alcohol consumption and homosexuality”.

A St Petersburg court responded to a complaint by local resident Nadezhda Petrova who claimed that during December 2012 show in the city, her 13-year old daughter was exposed to an imitation of sexual intercourse between women and advocacy of alcohol consumption.

The judge ruled that the gig’s promoter Planeta Plus, had violated a clause in Russia’s administrative code on “protection of children from information that could harm their health and/or development”.

A similar law was enacted in St Petersburg earlier this year against Madonna following her show in the city in August 2012. However, an attempt to sue the singer was thrown out of court.

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