A diverse crowd, including families, young people, and elderly individuals, gathered at Gazprom Arena, St. Petersburg’s main stadium, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Shaman.
Some attendees had the Russian flag painted on their cheeks, while others proudly displayed the yellow, black, and white flag of the Russian Empire, along with the words “Ya Russky” (“I Am Russian”), the title of the artist’s most popular song.
Yaroslav Dronov, better known by his stage name Shaman, has risen to fame as one of Russia’s most prominent pop stars amid the conflict in Ukraine.
Critics argue that Shaman is a tool of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, using his “patriotic” songs to rally support for the invasion and promote Russian nationalism.
On the other hand, his fans appreciate the lyrics of his songs, which convey a sense of national pride during a time when Russia faces political and cultural isolation from the West.
After a delay, Shaman appeared on the video screen at Gazprom Arena, donning tight black pants and a silver leather jacket adorned with a Russian tricolor band on his right arm. In the opening footage, he was seen arriving at the stadium in a helicopter, and seconds later, he entered the arena on a motorcycle surrounded by smoke and flames.
The concert kicked off with the song “Dai Zharu” (“Give the Heat”), as the artist exclaimed, “Everything will burst like a volcano, people, meet the Shaman!”
Vyacheslav Prokofyev / TASS
This was followed by the song “Da” (“Yes”), which had a military march rhythm and featured a group of dancers in khaki costumes and balaclavas accompanying the artist.
The energy in the stadium was initially lukewarm, except in the fan zone near the stage, where passionate fans waved Russian flags.
Shaman’s concert had been heavily advertised for months, with banners displayed in St. Petersburg’s metro and main streets. Local media reported that several St. Petersburg municipalities purchased a large number of tickets and distributed them for free to help fill the 80,000-seat stadium.
Despite these efforts, there were empty seats in the stadium when the concert began.
In 2013 and 2014, Shaman gained modest recognition in Russia after participating in the Russian versions of The X Factor and The Voice. However, it was not until last year, when he released the single “Vstanem” (Rise Up) on February 23, 2022, dedicated to Russian soldiers who fought and died in World War II, that his popularity soared due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Since then, Shaman has become a symbol of Russia’s wartime propaganda and garnered immense popularity. According to state-owned pollster VTsIOM, he was voted Russia’s second-best artist in 2022.
Simultaneously, Shaman’s music, which was previously largely apolitical, has shifted towards patriotic themes with hits like “Ya Russky,” “Moya Rossiya” (“My Russia”), and “Miy” (“We”). These songs’ lyrics touch on traditional elements of Russian culture, such as the vastness of the country’s land and faith in God.
In contrast, Russian artists who oppose the war often face blacklisting or persecution in the country’s crackdown on dissent, forcing many into exile.
Shaman has not publicly explained the reason behind his shift towards patriotic themes, simply stating that when he wrote the song “Vstanem,” it felt as if it was “dictated from above.”
“His songs strike a deep chord in the Russian soul,” said 22-year-old concertgoer Andrey, who had the Russian flag painted on his cheeks.
His mother, Irina, aged 51, added, “I don’t consider it propaganda. Our children have been subjected to brainwashing for years, and finally some values are emerging.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine, Shaman has been regularly invited to perform at high-profile state-sponsored events. He appeared at a concert rally commemorating the annexation of Ukraine’s occupied territories on Red Square in September 2022, as well as an event marking the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, both of which were attended by President Vladimir Putin.
MT
Earlier this year, Shaman visited the Moscow-occupied territories in Ukraine, including the cities of Luhansk, Mariupol, and Henichesk, to perform for Russian soldiers.
“I appreciate him for his decision to visit the zone of the special military operation,” said Tatyana, aged 37, using the Kremlin’s preferred term for the invasion. “We need to support our guys who are fighting there.”
Tatyana, attending her 10th Shaman concert, proudly held a Russian flag with a Z symbol, representing Russia’s military campaign.
The singer also performed his latest single, “Moi Boy” (My Battle), released in July, which includes a music video depicting ruined cities and footage of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Since the invasion began, Russian forces have nearly destroyed Ukrainian cities like Mariupol and Bakhmut and have carried out deadly attacks on civilian areas in various other cities.
The lyrics of “Moi Boy” state, “I won’t give up… Only forward and not a single step back.”
Despite the clear pro-invasion messaging in Shaman’s songs and music videos, some fans at the concert believed that his lyrics held a more universal meaning.
“It’s not necessarily about someone fighting in the special military operation,” explained 72-year-old Lyudmila when asked about her favorite song.
“‘My Fight’ is about everyone’s struggle,” continued Lyudmila, a devoted Shaman fan who traveled from the neighboring Pskov region to attend the concert.
During a break between songs, Shaman read a letter from a young fan named Nikita, who purportedly wrote to him from Makiivka, a city in the Russia-controlled Donetsk region. “From Russia,” Shaman declared.
Following the letter reading, Shaman’s press secretary took the stage to announce that Nikita and his family were present at the concert. “These are the moments we artists live for,” Shaman remarked.
During the song “Ty Moya” (“You Are Mine”), a girl appeared to faint after being invited to dance with Shaman on stage.
“All good,” reassured the singer as security guards carried the girl away. “That happens when love fills the heart,” he added, leaving the audience wondering if the incident was staged.
The crowd’s energy surged towards the end of the concert as Shaman performed his most popular songs, “Vstanem” and “Ya Russky.”
“I am Russian, I go until the end… I am Russian, in spite of the whole world,” sang Shaman.
Shaman concluded the concert with a rendition of the Russian national anthem, prompting most attendees to rise and join in singing, many with closed eyes and hands on their hearts.
Vitaly, a 45-year-old attendee who typically does not listen to Shaman’s music, explained his reason for coming to the concert, saying, “I am just Russian.”
