Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, has announced two concert dates in St. Petersburg, Russia, scheduled for October. This marks a significant engagement by a major Western artist in the country since the invasion of Ukraine. Tickets for the shows at the 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena were reportedly sold out shortly after their release on Monday, with prices ranging from 9,000 to 160,000 roubles.
The performances come as West seeks to rebuild his public image following a period marked by antisemitic and pro-Nazi remarks. He issued an apology in January, attributing his statements to a brain injury and bipolar disorder. Previously, a planned European tour faced cancellations, with several concerts being scrapped amidst backlash over his controversial views. In the United Kingdom, the Wireless Festival was cancelled when West was denied entry, with the Home Office stating his presence would not be "conducive to the public good." Similar cancellations affected planned concerts in France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic, although dates in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Albania proceeded.