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Kanye West, also known as Ye, is set to perform at a major stadium show in Europe despite being banned from several countries on the continent. The 49-year-old rapper will take the stage on Friday, June 12, at Boris Paitchadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, Georgia, a venue that holds just over 54,000 spectators.
This upcoming concert marks a notable exception to Ye’s recent bans across Europe. He has been prohibited from entering or performing in the United Kingdom, Poland, Switzerland, France, and Italy.
Italy’s cancellation of his show, alongside that of Travis Scott, cited concerns over public safety and the local Jewish community, stemming from Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks and actions. Similar reasoning influenced bans in the other countries.
According to sources, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other government officials are expected to attend the event. Ye will reportedly stay in the presidential suite at the Telegraph Hotel during his three-day visit from June 12 to 14, with VIP events planned in Tbilisi.
A source familiar with the arrangements described Ye’s arrival as a significant cultural moment for Georgia, with many locals and leaders expressing pride that such a prominent and talked-about entertainer chose their capital city.
This concert follows Ye’s recent performances at the GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands, on June 6 and 8, coinciding with his birthday. Despite a lawsuit filed by the Central Jewish Council aiming to bar him from the Netherlands, an Amsterdam judge denied the request, stating there was no evidence his presence posed a public order risk.
Earlier, on May 30, Ye performed in Istanbul at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium before a crowd exceeding 100,000, marking his first concert in Turkey. These Turkish and Dutch shows are his first European performances since his 2014 tour.
Ye’s current tour began in March at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and included a planned European leg. However, his scheduled headline appearance at London’s Wireless Festival was canceled after the UK government denied him entry, citing concerns that his presence was “not conducive to the public good.” Similarly, his June 11 show in Marseille, France, was postponed amid efforts by French authorities to block him.
In Italy, local authorities canceled his Reggio Emilia concert due to public safety and community concerns. Poland and Switzerland also pulled their shows, all tied to Ye’s controversial history of antisemitic statements and behavior. His past includes threats aimed at Jewish people, expressions of admiration for Adolf Hitler, sales of swastika-emblazoned merchandise, and a song titled “Heil Hitler,” which have fueled widespread condemnation and led to these bans.