Key facts
- Kanye West, also known as Ye, will perform two concerts in St. Petersburg, Russia, in October.
- Tickets for the shows at the 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena sold out rapidly.
- West's recent European tour faced multiple cancellations due to his controversial past statements.
- He was denied entry to the UK, resulting in the cancellation of his Wireless Festival headline slot.
- The rapper previously apologized for antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks, citing mental health issues.
Kanye West, also known as Ye, is set to perform two concerts in St. Petersburg, Russia, this October, making him one of the most prominent Western artists to play in the country since the invasion of Ukraine. Tickets for the shows at the 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena reportedly sold out within hours of their announcement, with prices ranging from 9,000 to 160,000 roubles (£78 to £1,394).
The concerts come as West attempts to rebuild his public image following widespread condemnation for his antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks made in 2022. He issued an apology in January, attributing his statements to a brain injury and bipolar disorder. However, a planned European tour this summer encountered significant difficulties, with several dates canceled amid backlash over his views. Notably, West was denied entry to the UK, leading to the cancellation of his headline performance at the Wireless Festival, with the Home Office citing that his presence would not be 'conducive to the public good.' Concerts in France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic were also scrapped, though shows in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Albania proceeded.
Reports suggest West has been considering performing in Russia for some time, having visited the country in 2024 to celebrate the birthday of fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy. However, his concert plans have drawn criticism, with Russian lawmaker Vitaly Milonov suggesting West should perform traditional Russian songs instead of his usual setlist. Before the invasion of Ukraine, Western artists frequently performed in Russia, but many record labels have since suspended activities there, leaving only a few, often less prominent, acts like Tyga and Jason Derulo performing in the country. West's controversial statements in 2022 led to the suspension of his social media accounts and the termination of partnerships with major fashion brands like Adidas and Balenciaga. He had also declared himself 'a Nazi' and released a song titled 'Heil Hitler.' His January apology, published in a full-page advertisement, expressed deep mortification and attributed his behavior to a 'four-month-long manic episode,' but some observers questioned its timing, coinciding with the release of a new album and the start of his tour.