Confusion over Kanye West's Russia concerts leaves ticket buyers seeking refunds
After conflicting statements about rapper Kanye West's planned October shows at St. Petersburg's Gazprom Arena, where tickets cost up to 160,000 rubles, attention has turned to how buyers can get refunds. Organizers insist the concerts are still happening, while the venue denies any rental agreement exists.
On August 17, promoter Say Agency announced that rapper Ye, known as Kanye West, would perform October 10 and 11 at St. Petersburg's Gazprom Arena, which holds about 80,000 people. Tickets ranged from 9,000 to 160,000 rubles, with the cheapest selling out within hours. The Telegram channel Mash, linked to Russian security services, reported that a contract had already been signed and payment transferred.
Soon after, a screenshot circulated showing that the sales terms allowed organizers to substitute a different performer while keeping buyers' money. Say Agency CEO Anna Subcheva called this a mistake, insisting Kanye West would definitely perform.
At the same time, State Duma deputies, activists, and pro-war Telegram channels objected. Deputy Nikolai Novichkov demanded the rapper publicly endorse Russia's position on the war in Ukraine or face calls for cancellation, also citing his past antisemitic remarks. Activists from the Orthodox movement Sorok Sorokov said they would review his repertoire, while Safe Internet League head Yekaterina Mizulina called him an admirer of Adolf Hitler. Several pro-war "Z" channels voiced similar criticism. Not everyone objected, however — State Duma culture committee deputy chair Yelena Drapeko and Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova both welcomed the visit.
On August 24, Gazprom Arena stated that no rental agreement for the concerts had ever existed and that the event would not proceed, despite having earlier posted announcements for the shows itself. Say Agency maintained the concerts had not been cancelled and said the venue had sent it an agreement to sign by August 27. Local outlets reported that organizers had not obtained required approval from the city's culture committee. Theories about the cancellation's cause included a lack of sign-off from senior officials and a reported meeting between Gazprom's leadership and the city's governor over concerns about the rapper's far-right views.
By August 25, attention had shifted to how ticket buyers could recover their money. Say Agency's Subcheva continued to insist the show would go on, while Gazprom Arena reiterated that no rental agreement existed and that the event could not take place without one. As of midday August 25, the tour's official website still listed the St. Petersburg shows.
