Kyiv DJ and NECHTO Records founder Nastia has cancelled all her upcoming US shows. She says she won’t take any American bookings until the Trump administration fundamentally changes its policy towards Ukraine. She posted the news as a video and a written statement on Instagram on 19 October. That was just one day before she had planned to announce a North American tour with US dates.
Why Nastia pulled her US shows
In her statement, Nastia listed the US government decisions behind her move: easing economic pressure on Russia, chasing energy deals she says help the aggressor, restricting military technology Ukraine relies on, and leaning on Kyiv while Russian attacks continue. She said these steps had crossed a line she could not ignore. She also reminded followers that her country is fighting for its survival, with people killed and cities destroyed every day.
She was clear about who the boycott is aimed at. It’s about Washington’s policy, she said, not American fans, promoters or the US music community, and she thanked them. She added that many Americans oppose these decisions too. “Music has never existed outside politics for me,” she said, adding that being an artist doesn’t mean staying quiet when fundamental principles are being violated. She opened her video by admitting that many people dislike her for being political.
The tour had not been announced yet, so no cities, venues or promoters have been named.
An artist who has never kept quiet
This isn’t the first time Nastia has given up gigs on principle. She has backed Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. In 2022 she gave 50 percent of her tour earnings to Ukrainian aid organisations. That same summer she withdrew from Awakenings, saying she would not share a lineup with Russian artists who tolerated the war. She also pledged her fee from that booking to her Ukraine fund.
Behind the booth, Nastia is known for genre-hopping sets that move from house and underground techno to jungle and drum & bass. In 2019 she launched NECHTO Records in Kyiv, which grew into an event series and a platform for upcoming Ukrainian producers. Her “Scary Beautiful” series features NECHTO demos played at striking locations around Ukraine.
For now, US ravers will have to travel to catch her. She says she won’t play the States again until the policy changes.
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