Two sold-out St. Petersburg stadium concerts by US rapper Ye have been officially canceled by Moscow-based promoter Say Agency after weeks of venue disputes and public backlash over past antisemitic statements, with ticket refunds set to begin October 12.
Promoter Cancels Gazprom Arena Shows After Weeks of Conflict
Concert promoter Say Agency announced the cancellation via Telegram, confirming that scheduled performances at the Gazprom Arena on October 10 and 11 would not take place. The announcement ended weeks of conflicting statements regarding whether the high-profile gigs would proceed.
Those performances would have stood as one of the biggest concert appearances in Russia by a Western musical artist since the nation initiated its war against Ukraine in 2022, had they actually occurred. Instead, the project collapsed due to logistical disputes and sharp political opposition.
Officials Condemn Concerts as Gazprom Arena Disputes Erupt
The trouble began in August when Gazprom Arena management stated that no rental agreement had been signed with the promoters, insisting the venue was not responsible for the booking despite having initially promoted the rapper as the most influential musical artist of our time
. The promoter disputed that account at the time, maintaining that preparations were continuing.
Pressure mounted as Russian officials and conservative figures condemned the proposed concerts. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova publicly criticized the plans, pointing to the artist’s past glorification of Adolf Hitler and use of Nazi imagery. Deputy of the 8th State Duma Nikolay Novichkov similarly called for an investigation and argued the shows should be canceled unless the rapper declared moral support for Russia and its military operations.
Say Agency Schedules Ticket Refunds as European Tours Collapse
Say Agency stated that ticket refunds will become available on Monday, October 12, with further instructions on the process to follow. The promoter expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by the project during the preceding weeks and noted that it would issue a subsequent update regarding future plans.
The St. Petersburg cancellation follows a pattern of European tour disruptions for the artist following controversies surrounding antisemitic remarks, the release of a song titled Heil Hitler
, and merchandise featuring swastikas. Similar events have faced blocks, postponements, or cancellations in Britain, France, and Italy over the past year.
“Friends, it is with sincere regret that we inform you that the Ye concerts in St Petersburg on the scheduled dates will not be able to take place.”
Say Agency, via The Guardian
No replacement dates for the Russia performances have been announced.
In January, the American rapper took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal titled To Those I’ve Hurt
to apologize for his actions. He wrote that he was not a Nazi or an antisemite and loved Jewish people, while explaining that his bipolar disorder had triggered a four-month manic episode involving paranoid and impulsive behavior that destroyed his life. He previously visited Moscow in 2024 to celebrate the birthday of fashion designer and collaborator Gosha Rubchinskiy. Even with the current show called off, the website of a Turkish agency responsible for organizing Ye’s May performance in Istanbul currently displays a provisional date of July 10, 2027, for a concert in Moscow.
Ahead of the St. Petersburg cancellation, the artist also faced hurdles in the United Kingdom and Europe. In April, his headlining nights at London’s Wireless Festival were canceled after he was denied a UK visa, which led to the cancellation of the entire 2026 festival. Festival Republic Managing Director Melvin Benn attempted to defend West before the British government barred the rapper, ruling his presence was not conducive to the public good. Insiders reported that despite being denied a visa, Ye has not given up on his dream of performing in the UK again, noting he is willing to work with authorities to help them better understand his prior bipolar episode. A planned show in Marseille was postponed in April, and a concert in Italy at the Pulse of Gaia Festival at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia on July 18 was stopped by local prefect Salvatore Angieri following concerns from the local Jewish community.