Concert - The Times Of Central Asia

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Police raid

Uzbek Singer Concert Raided in Krasnoyarsk by Russian Guard

A concert by Uzbek singer Jaloliddin Ahmadaliyev in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region was abruptly interrupted when officers from the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardiya) raided the venue with sniffer dogs and began conducting mass document checks. According to Russian state media RIA Novosti, the raid took place on September 22 at the Korona banquet hall in the Yemelyanovo district. Authorities said the operation was aimed at identifying foreign nationals in violation of migration laws and individuals potentially linked to drug trafficking. More than 600 people attended the event, and officers reportedly checked the documents of 620 individuals, including 210 foreign citizens. Witnesses said some attendees were forcibly removed from the venue, but no illegal substances or contraband were discovered during the sweep. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the incident, stating that eight Uzbek nationals were found to be in violation of Russian migration regulations. Four were fined and ordered to be deported, while the remaining four were placed in a temporary detention facility for foreign citizens in Krasnoyarsk. The ministry stated that law enforcement actions must have a legal basis and should not disrupt cultural events. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Novosibirsk is providing legal assistance to the detained individuals. In a statement published via its official Telegram channel, the consulate clarified that the concert had not been coordinated with local authorities. In contrast, a previous Ahmadaliyev performance in Novosibirsk was formally approved and took place without incident. The consulate noted that the event in Krasnoyarsk was privately organized by Russian citizens in a venue not designed for large-scale cultural gatherings. While acknowledging that Russian authorities have the right to enforce migration regulations, the consulate urged that such operations not interfere with cultural events. It added that all required documentation has been submitted to local law enforcement in Krasnoyarsk for a legal review of the incident.

Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys to Perform in Almaty on September 19 for City Day

Almaty is preparing to host one of its most anticipated music events of the year: the legendary Backstreet Boys will perform at Central Stadium on September 19 in celebration of City Day. Organizers have promised a show featuring the group's greatest hits from the 1990s and 2000s, complete with elaborate stage production and the signature energy that made the band a global phenomenon. To ensure public safety, approximately 2,500 police officers will be deployed, alongside on-site ambulance teams and fire crews. The city administration has also announced that 150 volunteers will assist attendees in navigating the venue. LED screens around the stadium will display a hotline number for those needing assistance. [caption id="attachment_36340" align="alignnone" width="300"] @Almaty Akimat[/caption] The concert is expected to attract Almaty residents as well as international fans, some of whom have traveled thousands of kilometers to see the iconic group perform against the backdrop of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains. “I bought my ticket back in July and flew in from Minsk just for this show. The city is amazing, and the atmosphere promises to be unforgettable,” said Belarusian fan Yulia Makhovich. For 35-year-old Almaty resident Alina Agapova, the event carries personal significance: “Backstreet Boys are my childhood and youth. Their songs always carried deep meaning and are tied to important memories. For me, this is not just a concert but a return to the times when we collected posters, magazines, and dreamed of seeing them live.” [caption id="attachment_36344" align="alignnone" width="300"] @Almaty Akimat[/caption] Many fans see the band’s visit as a milestone for Kazakhstan’s cultural scene. “Before, to attend concerts like this, you had to fly to Europe or the U.S. Now global stars are coming to us. It’s a matter of pride for our city,” said Aigerim, a university student who purchased her ticket in the first days of sales. Almaty is emerging as a regional hub for international music. After hosting stars like Jennifer Lopez and Marilyn Manson, the Backstreet Boys’ concert highlights the city’s drive to become Central Asia’s leading destination for major cultural events, with strong attention to safety and accessibility.

Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez to Perform in Tashkent for the First Time

Global pop icon Jennifer Lopez will perform in Tashkent on August 7, as part of her Up All Night - Live in 2025 world tour, according to Uzbekistan’s Art and Culture Development Foundation. The concert, set to take place at Milliy Stadium, will mark Lopez’s debut performance in Uzbekistan. The event is part of a broader initiative by the Foundation to promote international cultural exchange and boost the country's tourism sector. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported that Lopez is also scheduled to perform in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana later this summer. Local organizers there estimate her concert could generate over $12 million in economic activity and yield nearly $800,000 in tax revenue. Jennifer Lopez, known as J. Lo, is one of the most prominent entertainers of her generation. A singer, actress, and dancer with a career spanning more than 30 years, she has received numerous accolades, including the Billboard Icon Award and the MTV Video Vanguard Award. To date, she has sold over 80 million records worldwide.

Music

Jennifer Lopez to Perform in Kazakhstan – Billion-Tenge Boost Expected

American pop icon Jennifer Lopez will perform in Kazakhstan’s capital this summer, with local officials predicting a major economic windfall from the event. Malik Hasenov, producer at Astana Concert Company, told a recent government meeting that the concert could generate over 6.5 billion KZT ($12.6 million) for the city’s economy and contribute 400 million KZT ($778,000) in taxes to the state budget. Kazakhstan on the Map of J.Lo's World Tour Astana has been added to Lopez’s Up All Night world tour schedule, with the concert set to take place at Astana Arena on August 1. The tour includes stops in Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Hungary, Poland, the UAE, and other countries, but Kazakhstan is her only Central Asian destination. She is scheduled to perform in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Astana and will close the tour in Armenia's capital Yerevan. “I will have some special concerts this summer. I am very much looking forward to meeting you. We haven’t seen each other for too long. This summer is going to be awesome,” Lopez wrote on Instagram. Economic Impact: Expectations and Numbers According to Hasenov, approximately 15,000 tourists are expected to visit Astana for the concert, with significant spending projected across hotels, restaurants, transportation, and retail sectors. “Jennifer Lopez’s arrival will be a landmark moment, opening Astana on the touring map of A-class stars,” he said. Tickets are expected to go on sale shortly, ranging in price from 40,000 to 150,000 KZT ($75 to $290). Astana will also host two other major events in 2025. On July 13, the Alem Fest music festival, featuring British singer Craig David as headliner, will take place at Astana Arena, coinciding with the closing of Comic Con Astana. Additionally, large-scale drone shows are planned, expected to attract up to a million spectators. J.Lo and Kazakhstan: A Brief History This won’t be Jennifer Lopez’s first visit to Kazakhstan. In 2010, she performed at a private birthday celebration, and in 2011, she returned for a New Year’s corporate event. Reports estimate she was paid around $3 million for both appearances. In 2017, Lopez drew attention from Kazakhstani fans during a Las Vegas concert when she echoed chants of “Kazakhstan!” shouted by Gennady Golovkin supporters, a moment that quickly went viral. A year later, controversy arose when YouTube temporarily blocked the Kazakh music video Zyn-zyn, citing similarities to Lopez’s Control Myself. The video was later reinstated following public backlash in Kazakhstan, with many hailing it as a “small victory”. Most recently, in February 2025, Lopez interacted with a Kazakh fan named Binura during a concert in Abu Dhabi, sparking lively discussions across Kazakhstani social media.