Italy bans Kanye West, Travis Scott concerts over security fears

Reggio Emilia's prefect ordered the cancellation Saturday of both July concerts at the 103,000-capacity RCF Arena, citing protest risks and public safety concerns.variety+1
The decision followed requests from consumer group CODACONS and the local Jewish community, which raised concerns over West's history of antisemitic statements.timesofisrael
Italy joins the UK and France in blocking West's performances this year, effectively dismantling much of his planned European tour.bbc+1

Italian authorities have canceled planned concerts by Kanye West and Travis Scott in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, citing public order and security risks — adding Italy to a growing list of European countries that have blocked the rapper from performing this year.

The Decision

Reggio Emilia's prefect, Salvatore Angieri, ordered the cancellation on Saturday of both concerts, which had been scheduled for July 17 and 18 at the RCF Arena, a venue with a capacity of 103,000. West, legally known as Ye, was set to headline the Watt Festival on July 18, while Scott was scheduled to perform the night before.variety+1

Angieri cited the close scheduling of the two shows, the anticipated influx of tens of thousands of attendees within a 24-hour window, and what he called a "concrete risk" of protests related to West as grounds for the dual cancellation. The decision followed requests from consumer group CODACONS and the Jewish community of Modena and Reggio Emilia, which raised concerns about West's history of antisemitic statements.timesofisrael+2

A Pattern Across Europe

The Italy ban follows a wave of cancellations that have disrupted West's planned European tour. In early April, the UK government blocked him from entering the country, leading to the cancellation of his headline slot at London's Wireless Festival. Days later, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez moved to prevent a June 11 concert at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome, prompting West to announce on X that he would postpone the show "until further notice".The Guardian+2

Authorities in both countries pointed to West's repeated antisemitic remarks — including past statements praising Adolf Hitler — as central to their decisions.Mint+1

Astroworld's Shadow on Scott

While Scott's cancellation was tied primarily to the logistical and security overlap with West's show, Italian authorities also referenced broader safety concerns. Scott has faced ongoing scrutiny since the 2021 Astroworld Festival crowd crush in Houston, where 10 people died from compression asphyxia. A Texas grand jury declined to indict Scott in 2023, finding no individual criminally responsible.CBC+2

The concert promoters have not publicly commented on whether refunds or alternative dates will be offered.

Sources (30)