Gazprom Arena cancels Kanye West's Russia concerts amid antisemitism backlash
The Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg will not be the venue for Ye's (previously known as Kanye West) concerts scheduled for 10 and 11 October, as a rental agreement with promoters Say Agency remains unsigned. These sold-out performances would have made West the first significant Western artist to perform in Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The arena acknowledged receiving complaints regarding West but clarified that they were not accountable for his booking. Say Agency expressed astonishment at the announcement, stating they were informed via the media and that the concert was not officially canceled. West's history of antisemitic remarks has resulted in backlash and earlier tour cancellations in various nations.
Key facts
- Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg cancels Ye's concerts scheduled for 10-11 October.
- No rental agreement was signed with promoters Say Agency.
- West would have been the first major Western performer in Russia since 2022 invasion.
- Say Agency claims it learned of cancellation via media and says concert not canceled.
- Stadium previously promoted shows, calling Ye 'most influential musical artist of our time'.
- Russian politician Vitaly Milonov criticized the booking.
- West's antisemitic history includes 2022 remarks, 'Heil Hitler' song, and swastika T-shirts.
- West apologized in Wall Street Journal in January, citing bipolar disorder.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Gazprom Arena
- Say Agency
- Adidas
- Balenciaga
- Wall Street Journal
Locations
- St Petersburg
- Russia
- Moscow
- Los Angeles
- England
- France
- Italy
- Poland