Tori Amos has performed a lesbian anthem in a Moscow concert as part of her recent world tour.

The singer told News.com.au she was intentionally making a point by performing Not Gonna Get Us by t.A.T.u, who are famous for their lesbian image.

Amos said: “The Russian audiences suggested it and I thought OK, that’s a really good idea.

“Little did I know, Putin was the next person to take that stage. He was going to be giving a speech there the next morning.

“His security showed up at the end of my show to start scoping the place, not knowing I’d just sung a lesbian anthem on stage.

“You can’t not do those songs without knowing what it can mean… I mean I’m 50, I’m not completely naive! You can’t be coy about it.

“To play a t.A.T.u. song, a lesbian anthem, in Moscow — you’ve gotta grab it with both hands, because if you don’t, it’s not going to work.

“[In Russia] you’re kind of safe, but even then you have intimidating security everywhere.

“My tour manager, who’s a lesbian, made them stand down because they were very threatening.

“But the Moscow show was great; we had people from Russia there, and people from Kiev, and to see them joined in unity, above and beyond government, was inspiring to see.

“I don’t sing for government, I sing for the people.”

The pop duo are most famous in the West for their 2002 hit “All The Things She Said”, which received attention at the time for a suggestive video which showed the two singers, Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova, dressed as schoolgirls kissing in the rain.

Though Yulia is bisexual, Lena has previously confirmed she is straight, and that the band’s lesbian image is an “act”.

If made today the duo’s 2002 music video might see them facing arrest under last year’s ‘gay propaganda’ law, which prohibits all “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”.

In Februray, the Russian Olympic team walked out to the group’s music during the Athlete’s Parade at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.