Italy Cancels Kanye West and Travis Scott Concerts Citing Safety Risks

Italian officials have officially called off upcoming performances by Kanye West and Travis Scott, citing significant threats to public order and safety. Prefect Salvatore Angieri confirmed on Friday that the concerts, originally scheduled for July in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, will not proceed. This decision followed a formal request from the local Jewish community to cancel West’s appearance.

Nicoletta Uzzielli, the leader of the Jewish community, had appealed to authorities to replace the event with a concert that would emphasize music as a "universally unifying force." West, who now performs under the name Ye, has faced widespread condemnation for a series of antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi remarks. These controversies recently resulted in his entry ban from the United Kingdom.

The cancelled Italian tour was intended to feature West alongside Travis Scott and other major acts, including The Chainsmokers, Rita Ora, and Swedish House Mafia. In a statement, the regional prefecture outlined several reasons for the cancellation, noting the "real risk of counter-demonstrations" and the precedent of West’s shows being scrapped in other nations. Additionally, the proximity of the two events—set for July 17 and 18 at the RFC Arena—and the expectation of massive crowds contributed to the decision.

Travis Scott’s presence on the bill has also drawn intense scrutiny following the 2021 Astroworld Festival tragedy in Houston, Texas. During that event, 10 attendees aged between nine and 27 died, and thousands more were injured when panic ensued among an over-capacity crowd pressing toward the stage.

The cancellations in Italy follow a broader pattern of disruption for West’s recent tours. Last month, London’s Wireless Festival was called off after West was denied entry to the UK due to backlash over his past comments. Previously, West had announced on April 15 that his Marseille concert was postponed "until further notice," with French media reporting that Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez was considering a ban on the June 11 show. His performance at Poland’s Silesian Stadium in Chorzów on June 19 was also cancelled in April due to "formal and legal reasons."

West has been attempting to re-enter the mainstream spotlight since issuing an extensive apology in the Wall Street Journal in January. In the statement, he wrote, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people," attributing his recent behavior to a loss of touch with reality caused by his bipolar disorder. The controversy stems from incidents such as his 2022 social media post declaring "death con 3 On Jewish people" and his release of the song "Heil Hitler" and swastika-themed merchandise in May of last year.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-30 15:39:12 UTC