Kazakhstan to tighten rules for concerts by foreign artists

Kazakhstan will introduce stricter regulations for concerts by international performers and tougher requirements for organizing tours under a new law supporting the creative industries, which the Senate passed today.

The legislation establishes rules governing concerts and allows authorities to take action in cases involving the distribution of illegal content.

Questions over prohibited content

Journalists asked officials what would qualify as prohibited content and whether shocking or provocative performances could face restrictions.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Yevgeniy Kochetov said there are currently no specific lists of banned performers or musical genres.

«These obligations primarily relate to the compositions an artist performs, ensuring they do not undermine the country’s public order or promote pornography or drug use,» Kochetov said. «In general, we are referring to illegal content. If all requirements are met, an artist has the right to perform in any city. In our view, this is logical and appropriate.»

Restrictions tied to legal violations

The new rules will apply not to artistic style or genre but to potential violations of the law and the terms of performance contracts.