Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, will perform two concerts in St Petersburg, Russia, on 10 and 11 October, making him the most prominent western artist to play in the country since its invasion of Ukraine four years ago. The shows are significant both for what they reveal about Ye's ability to keep touring despite years of antisemitic remarks and Nazi-related controversy, which have seen concerts cancelled across the UK, France and Italy, and for the propaganda value they may offer the Kremlin in showing Russia remains culturally connected despite sanctions and boycott calls.

The concerts will take place at Gazprom Arena, with tickets selling out within hours of Monday's announcement, from top-tier seats above $1,850 to the cheapest at around $105. Ye has faced backlash for selling swastika T-shirts and releasing a song called Heil Hitler, though he has since published a Wall Street Journal apology insisting "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite." He has instead found large audiences outside Europe, including record-breaking shows in Istanbul (118,000 fans), Tbilisi (70,000) and a sold-out gig in Almaty. His Russian dates may still prove controversial domestically, with politician Nikolay Novichkov calling for an investigation into his past pro-Hitler comments and demanding the shows be cancelled unless Ye voices support for Russia's "special military operation."