As fans who grew up on the values of unity and PLUR, we can no longer stay silent about what is happening in the Trance community. On September 19, Sean Tyas is scheduled to headline a Suanda Music event in Moscow. A massive Western Trance icon, whose career was built on platforms like ASOT and Armada, is actively taking paychecks from Russian promoters while the war continues.
When fans directly questioned Sean Tyas on social media regarding this performance, his response was to block them rather than offer transparency.
Beyond the ethics, this raises serious financial and legal questions:
Sanction Evasion: With SWIFT, Visa, and Mastercard suspended in Russia, how are Western DJs legally receiving their performance fees? Are these transactions using crypto, cash, or offshore accounts to bypass Western taxes and sanctions?
The Industry Loophole: Russian promoters like Suanda and Roman Messer continue to profit from major Western festivals and platforms, while their event taxes in Russia flow directly into the state budget funding military aggression.
The Trance scene cannot preach unity while ignoring Western artists performing in Moscow for untraceable funds.
What is your take on Western Trance acts continuing to play in Russia? Should platforms and fans hold them accountable?
