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Kanye West concert cancelled over safety 'concerns' from local residents

Kanye West, 48, had been due to headline the Pulse of Gaia Festival at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia this July, but Italian authorities cancelled the event citing "public order and safety issues"

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Kanye West has suffered another blow as one of his biggest gigs has been cancelled(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Kanye West's latest upcoming gig in Italy has been cancelled due to "public order and safety issues". Residents were also worried that his appearance could cause a wave of antisemitism in the city.

The 48-year-old rapper, who rebranded as Ye in 2021, was supposed to headline the Pulse of Gaia Festival at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia on July 18. However, city prefect Salvatore Angieri called off the event after the local Jewish community voiced "concerns" over West's past antisemitic remarks.

This is not the first show of Ye's to be pulled, as he was banned from entering the UK last month, causing his Wireless Festival set to be shelved. It comes as another concert set for July 17, featuring fellow rapper Travis Scott at the Hellwatt Festival, has also been shelved, as the two shows were scheduled on consecutive days.

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Kanye's set with Travis Scott has also been cancelled by authorities(Image: Getty Images for The Recording A)

Scott himself, who shot to fame with songs such as Sicko Mode, Butterfly Effect and Mamacita, has also been involved in major scandal during his career, according to the Mirror. In 2021, his Astroworld festival in Houston was the site of a major crowd crush that resulted in the deaths of 10 people aged between nine and 27.

A statement was issued by the Reggio Emilia authorities, translated into English, after a meeting to decide what would happen with the concerts. It read: "The meeting was dedicated to examining the public order and safety issues associated with the American artist's (West) concert and the Travis Scott event, also scheduled at the RCF Arena.

"Based on the assessments made during the committee meeting and further investigations into safety and security aspects, the prefect... (ordered) the prohibition of both concerts. The decision concerns two events scheduled for consecutive dates at the RCF Arena, a venue with a capacity of approximately 103,000 spectators, and was made to ensure public order and safety.

"Given the close temporal connection between the events and the large crowds expected within 24 hours. The overall assessment also took into account the cancellation of previous concerts by the American rapper in other countries and the real risk of counter-demonstrations."

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Earlier in April, West's show in Marseille, France, was cancelled after he was barred from entering the UK that month. This would eventually lead to his headline appearances at London's Wireless Festival being scrapped over outrage after his antisemitic remarks.

West released a song titled Heil Hitler in 2025 and had previously marketed a swastika T-shirt through his website. He has also attracted severe backlash for publishing antisemitic posts and suggesting slavery was "a choice".

In January, West bought a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal to offer an apology, with the headline: "To Those I've Hurt." He stated: "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people."

He attributed his behaviour to his bipolar disorder, saying it triggered "a four-month-long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life". Following the cancellation of his Wireless performances, West pledged to engage with London's Jewish community "to listen".

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Kanye had apologised to the Jewish community for his remarks(Image: PA)

West has achieved three number one singles and three chart-topping albums in the UK, boasting hits such as Black Skinhead, Gold Digger and Stronger, while Scott has secured five UK top 10 singles and one number one album with Utopia. West was due to perform at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Turkey this Saturday (May 30), and remains on the line-up to play at Vitesse Arnhem's Gelredome football stadium in the Dutch city on June 6 and 8.

Both Scott and West have been contacted for comment.

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