Kanye West announces tour dates in Russia

Rapper Kanye West has announced two upcoming concerts in St Petersburg, Russia, this October. His shows at the Gazprom Arena, which can hold 70,000 people, sold out within hours of the announcement. Ticket prices ranged from £78 to £1,394. This move marks the first time a major Western star has performed in Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

West has been attempting to repair his image following years of antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks. He apologized in January, attributing his statements to a brain injury and bipolar disorder. However, his 2023 European tour was disrupted by several concert cancellations due to opposition to his views. In the UK, West was denied entry to the Wireless Festival, while dates in France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic were also called off.

Despite these setbacks, West's concerts in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Albania proceeded. At a recent Madrid performance, up to 60% of the audience were foreign spectators who had never seen him before. Critics praised his stage design and energetic setlist. West has previously hinted at performing in Russia, including a 2024 visit to celebrate fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy's birthday.

However, his plans have faced criticism from conservative lawmakers who suggested he perform traditional Russian songs instead. Some record labels have suspended activities in Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine, limiting the number of Western acts visiting the country. West's antisemitic remarks began in 2022, leading to the suspension of his social media accounts and ending relationships with several fashion brands.

He later issued an apology in a Wall Street Journal advertisement, acknowledging he was not a Nazi or an antisemite but expressing regret for a four-month-long "manic episode" of psychotic behavior.