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Shanghai, China – Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made his highly anticipated return to the live stage outside of the U.S. with a concert at Shanghai Stadium on July 12, 2025. Drawing a massive crowd of 72,000, the event was poised to be a triumphant comeback for the artist. Reports have surfaced that what unfolded was a chaotic and controversial night that according to many outlets left many fans frustrated and sparked widespread debate online.
The concert, promoted as Ye’s first major show since September 2024 (also in China), was meant to be a showcase for his upcoming album Bully. Tickets, ranging from ¥980 to ¥2,680 (approximately $137 to $374 USD), quickly sold out, reflecting the enduring enthusiasm of his Chinese fanbase despite the controversies that have limited his global touring opportunities.
Reports from attendees and local media, including The Global Times, confirm that Ye took the stage over 40 minutes late. This significant delay in a culture that highly values punctuality led to a chorus of “Refund!” chants from the massive crowd.
When Ye finally appeared, the issues reportedly continued. Fans complained of technical difficulties, including sound quality problems and the DJ having to restart several songs. Compounding the reported frustrations was the minimal staging and lack of elaborate production design, a stark contrast to Ye’s historically ambitious live shows. Heavy rainfall during the performance further impacted the experience for both artist and audience. Some fans even accused Ye of lip-syncing, with one user on social media claiming his microphone was “up less than 20 percent of the time.” There were also reports of Ye leaving the stage for extended periods, even during songs.
This performance comes at a critical juncture for Ye, whose ability to secure live bookings has been severely impacted by a string of controversies, including controversial remarks and symbolism but he has found a more receptive market for live shows in Asia, particularly China and South Korea.
Thank you to my fans in China and the Chinese government
— ye (@kanyewest) July 14, 2025
The energy was amazing
Love all of you forever
Can’t wait till the next show
Despite the criticism, Ye himself seemed unfazed, later posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Thank you to my fans in China and the Chinese government. The energy was amazing. Love all of you forever. Can’t wait till the next show.”
