In brief
Two highly-anticipated Ye concerts in St Petersburg were officially cancelled after months of uncertainty and a dispute with the Gazprom Arena. The venue had not signed a rental agreement with promoters, making the shows impossible to hold. The cancellation follows widespread backlash over Ye’s recent antisemitic statements, including swastika‑embroidered merchandise and a track titled Heil Hitler. The artist has faced further cancellations in Poland, Italy, France and the UK, adding to the controversy.
Ye’s St Petersburg concerts officially cancelled
Two highly-anticipated stadium shows by the former Kanye West, now known as Ye, were officially cancelled on Friday after months of uncertainty and controversy.
The shows were slated for the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on the 10 and 11 of October. The venue had previously said it would not host the artist because it had not signed a rental agreement with the promoters, making the event impossible on its premises.
The decision came amid a wave of objections to Ye’s recent antisemitic statements and his glorification of Hitler and the Nazi regime. In 2025 the rapper sold swastika‑embroidered shirts and released a track titled Heil Hitler, provoking widespread condemnation.
Say Agency, the concert promoters based in Moscow, confirmed the cancellations in a Telegram post, apologising for the disappointment and stating that they were working to resolve the issues with the stadium.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the planned concerts unacceptable, citing the artist’s controversial comments. The backlash comes as the country continues to be embroiled in a conflict with Ukraine, and many Western artists have been barred from performing in the region.
Ye has also faced cancellations elsewhere. His planned headline slot at London’s Wireless Festival was pulled after UK authorities denied him entry, while concerts in Poland, Italy, France and other European nations have been called off. He remains to be interviewed on the matter.
He had returned to touring earlier in 2025, with a string of stadium shows across the United States, but the Russian shows will no longer take place.
