Kanye West Concert in Italy ‘Very Unlikely’ to Happen, Sources Say
Written by djfrosty on October 21, 2023
Kanye West‘s planned concert in Italy will likely not be taking place after all, sources tell Billboard Italy.
West, who now goes by Ye, had been planning to perform at RCF Arena (formerly known as Campovolo) in Reggio Emilia on Oct. 27. The show, which was being organized by Italian promoter Vivo Concerti, was never officially announced.
The event was originally being planned for Oct. 20, but had been delayed until Oct. 27. Signs that the concert was being canceled arrived earlier this week after the dismantling of a stage being built at the site, followed by Ye’s return to the U.S. from Italy, where he had been visiting in recent months with his wife, Bianca Censori.
West’s “secret” concert at RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia kept his fans (and haters) in suspense, as well as sparking controversy from local feminist and anti-fascist associations for his past antisemitic statements and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler.
As previously reported by Billboard, the assumption was that Ye’s concert in Italy would be the official global premiere of his new joint album with Ty Dolla $ign.
In early August, the rapper and fashion mogul made a surprise appearance during Travis Scott’s concert at the Circus Maximus in Rome, where Scott performed his latest album, Utopia, live for the first time.
Rumors about a possible West concert in Italy began in early October when RFC Arena started the construction of a large stage for a show that was scheduled for mid-October, according to local news outlet Reggionline. Plans fell through when the building couldn’t obtain the necessary permits to build the stage by the mid-October deadline.
In recent weeks, West has been spotted near recording studios in Florence and Milan. He also made a controversial appearance at the Venice Film Festival.