Three 1990s music acts barred from performing in Latvia after being put on undesirable persons list
Latvia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the artists Haddaway, Dr. Alban and LayZee cannot perform in Latvia, as they were added to the list of undesirable persons in May. Riga's Xiaomi Arena said they will not appear at its venue.
The foreign musicians Haddaway, LayZee and Dr. Alban will not be able to perform in Latvia because they are on the country's list of undesirable persons. Līga Jermacāne, press secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, told the news agency LETA. The decision affects the planned "90's Disco Show", which was due to take place at Riga's Xiaomi Arena on 20 November.
Who is on the list
The list includes three people: Haddaway, whose name is given as Aleksandrs Hadavejs; Dr. Alban, or Albans Nvapa; and LayZee, or Delrojs Renāls, a member of the group Mr. President. The ministry explains that, given wide public attention and the opinions of competent institutions, they were added to the list in May this year. As a result, they cannot perform in Latvia.
The arena's response
The portal Delfi reported that three of the four performers at the concert are linked to Russia's concert circuit and have previously performed in Russia. Responding to the portal, Xiaomi Arena said it had not known about the artists' ties to Russia when the contract was signed. Its administration said that, within its means and resources, it normally vets artists before they appear in Riga. After contact with Delfi, the arena announced that these artists will not perform there.
The ministry's position
The Foreign Ministry stresses that it regularly urges event organisers to carefully check publicly available information about the artists they plan to work with. They should assess whether cooperation is acceptable under current circumstances and does not create reputational, sanctions or other risks. It says it is important to make sure artists have not supported Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
The ministry states that entry and activity in Latvia is not to be supported for artists who express hostility toward Latvia, back Russia's aggression in Ukraine or the Kremlin's policy toward Ukraine, or undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
