Kanye West was supposed to celebrate a triumphant return to the international stage in Shanghai during his most recent performance, but now, the set is going viral for all of the wrong reasons. Angry fans vented on social media, demanding refunds following what many are labeling one of the worst concerts in recent history.
Over the weekend, the hotly anticipated show was troubled by a series of mishaps that left attendees confused and angry. Most widely reported, Kanye arrived on stage more than 40 minutes late and was plagued by continuous technical problems. For a crowd that had been waiting 17 years to see him perform live in China, the night went from thrilling to outrageous.
One longtime fan expressed profound frustration, writing: “Couldn’t even sleep night before. But. Worst concert I’ve ever been to.” He then mentioned that Kanye’s mic was barely turned up for the majority of the set, and that he would lip-sync the opening moments of a few tunes. The final straw was an almost 20-minute-long absence during the encore, as songs like Wolves blared and he wasn’t to be found anywhere on the premises.
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As videos of disappointed fans erupting in chants of “refund!” Circulated online, the backlash intensified. The concert’s promoter, StellarAmberGroup, posted a public apology on the Chinese social media site Sina Weibo, expressing regret for the delay and attributing it to the inclement weather. “Ye’s team insisted on prioritizing artistic integrity,” the statement read. “After emergency adjustments, the show was delayed to ensure the best possible experience and to minimize the disappointment for the audience.”
However, for many fans, the damage had already been done. The incident comes hot on the heels of Kanye’s cancelled headlining appearance at Slovakia’s Rubicon festival, which was canned amid widespread controversy. For an artist who redefined performance art and the sonic experience, the episode in Shanghai is a low moment. What was supposed to be a life-changing, joyous moment for Kanye, as he was welcomed back onto the global stage, has instead descended into public rage and a dark, distant cloud over his future as an international touring act.
