"We often operate at a loss." What goes on behind the scenes of the concert industry in Uzbekistan?

The Podrobno.uz correspondent spoke with concert organizer Daria Sviridova, who shed light on the behind-the-scenes aspects of this industry.

Mission: Bring the Artist

Organizers acknowledge that logistics is one of the most expensive components of concert expenses. The artist's fee often amounts to less than the costs associated with transportation, accommodation, and technical riders. For instance, bringing a band for a club performance for 300 people can incur technical rider costs ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.

"Moreover, each team member needs to be seated properly on the plane. One needs an aisle seat, another needs a window seat, and a third should sit next to the manager. There's also a rider point I detest: non-stop flights. Sometimes we have to refuse collaboration and not announce the concert if this is unfeasible," Daria shared.

The real puzzle begins when artists travel with their own equipment.

"I remember a band that brought their own screen and drum set. In winter, they spent a whole day at Chernyaevka (now the 'Gishtkuprik' customs post – editor's note), where every piece of musical equipment was checked for anything prohibited. By the time they arrived, they were frozen and tipsy – warming up as best they could," the interviewee recounted.

What Do Stars Want?

The rider is an integral part of working with artists and constitutes a significant portion of the overall cost of the concert event. It is divided into technical and domestic categories. The former depends on the format of the performance: stand-up comedians require good lighting and microphones, while music groups need complex sound adjustments and expensive equipment.

The domestic rider often reflects the artist's personality, and surprises can sometimes occur.

"For a grandpa known worldwide, the rider might only include a plate of pitted cherries and a standard hotel room. But for a TikToker with a school-age audience, the demands can reach the level of luxury hotels," Daria joked.

Often in the dressing room, requests include platters (cheese, meat, vegetables) and alcohol. Water is a separate issue.

"Once we ordered 160 bottles of water for the concert. Only 20 were consumed," the organizer noted.

Censorship and Its Consequences

One of the key challenges in organizing concerts in Uzbekistan is obtaining permission from a special "cultural commission." This process is often accompanied by lengthy and stringent checks.

"Sometimes problems arise due to the language barrier between organizers and the commission. How do we explain that we are good if we are not understood?" Daria laughed.

Furthermore, organizers face censorship: song lyrics, performance scripts, and even artists' costumes undergo detailed scrutiny to meet established norms. This often creates additional difficulties for creative teams and limits the realization of bold ideas.

"The government can assist concert industry representatives with security for large events, but otherwise, it tends to hinder rather than support. For instance, due to new requirements, foreign artists with unconventional appearances, like those with long hair, risk facing refusals," the interviewee explained.

Daria also commented on the recent cancellation of the 5’nizza concert, which was scheduled to take place in Tashkent on October 29. The justification from the responsible state bodies was absurd – venue capacity:

"The situation is perplexing. It’s hardly about the venue."

Non-Concert People

Another issue for foreign artists coming to Uzbekistan is the low public interest.

"Many musicians know they won’t earn here; they come more to make a name for themselves. The paradox is that their names are known, yet people simply don’t attend concerts. It's a different story in neighboring Kazakhstan," the organizer noted.

Sometimes, due to low ticket sales, musicians refuse to perform. One case particularly stood out for Daria:

"The band made it to the border. After some time, the musicians called to say they wouldn’t perform due to low ticket sales. This was a blow to the reputation of concerts in Uzbekistan, and accusations of failure were directed at us."

In most cases, concerts that Daria was responsible for were canceled by the musicians, their management, or booking agencies. This inevitably impacts trust in organizers: the most common comment under announcements on social media is, 'Is the concert going to be canceled?'

Sponsorship Without Sponsorship

Daria also discussed the peculiarities of sponsorship support for concerts in Uzbekistan. According to her, not all companies are willing to provide financial assistance, preferring instead to "support" the event with their products. Sometimes, sponsors take this opportunity merely to set up a stand with their brand's advertisement at the concert venue without contributing financially.

"One of the few sponsors who genuinely supported us financially were well-known alcoholic beverage manufacturers. Although the sum was small, it was real assistance," she noted.

It is also surprising that, according to Daria, there is no competition among local concert organizers.

"Did you manage to bring an artist I couldn’t? Awesome, I’ll attend that concert. We support each other, whether through information or by purchasing tickets for events," she said.

On Bare Enthusiasm

Ultimately, after sorting through all the nuances, it becomes easier to understand why tickets for some artists’ performances are astronomically priced. The cost of attending an event depends on numerous factors: the artist's fee, technical and domestic riders, logistics, venue rental, and equipment.

"We create a budget and calculate how many people we need to gather just to break even. If we understand that an artist with Hollywood star demands won’t draw the necessary audience, we decline the collaboration," Daria noted.

However, despite all the challenges, organizers continue to host concerts out of sheer enthusiasm, aiming to bring diversity to the musical life of Uzbekistanis.

"Every performance is a risk, filled with nerves and often losses. But we believe that over time, the situation will change. People will start attending concerts more frequently, and authorities and sponsors will see not just the risk but the potential," the interviewee concluded.