Photo credit: Kanye West (Instagram)
Kanye West is heading to Russia for two concerts in October, according to the venue scheduled to host the shows.
Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg announced Monday that the rapper, who also goes by Ye, will perform at the stadium on Oct. 10 and 11.
The announcement comes after West faced concert cancellations and performance restrictions in several European countries.
Kanye West Russia Concerts Set for October
The Kanye West Russia concert dates are scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11 at Gazprom Arena.
According to Russian state news agency TASS, ticket prices start at 9,000 rubles, or about $106. The cheapest tickets reportedly sold out within an hour.
Meanwhile, the most expensive tickets cost 160,000 rubles, or roughly $1,885.
Gazprom Arena serves as the home stadium of Zenit St. Petersburg soccer club. The venue can hold about 70,000 spectators.
If both shows go ahead, West could perform for tens of thousands of fans during his first major concerts in Russia since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Ye Faced Concert Cancellations in Europe
The planned Russia shows come after a difficult period for West’s live performances.
Several European countries have canceled or restricted his concerts following a series of antisemitic remarks.
West also faced widespread criticism after praising Adolf Hitler and using Nazi imagery.
In January, West apologized for his previous comments. He attributed his behavior to a brain injury and untreated bipolar disorder, according to Reuters.
The rapper has continued to attract controversy while attempting to rebuild his career and return to the international stage.
Kanye West Has Apologized for Antisemitic Remarks
West’s comments have sparked significant backlash from Jewish organizations, music fans and other public figures.
His January apology marked an effort to address some of the controversy surrounding his previous statements.
However, the backlash has continued to affect his career. Concert cancellations and performance bans in parts of Europe have limited his opportunities to perform internationally.
The upcoming Kanye West Russia concert dates could therefore mark an important return to the global concert circuit.
Tickets for Kanye West’s Russia Shows Are Selling Fast
Interest in the St. Petersburg concerts appears strong.
TASS reported that the least expensive tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale. Prices range from approximately $106 to $1,885.
Gazprom Arena’s large capacity means the concerts could become major events if West sells a significant portion of the available seats.
However, the October performances remain dependent on the shows proceeding as scheduled.
For now, Gazprom Arena has announced Oct. 10 and 11 as the dates for West’s St. Petersburg appearances.
Source: Reuters
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