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Fans Revolt With Refund Demands During Concert

7/27/2025

Thousands of angry concertgoers in Shanghai erupted into loud chants demanding refunds after rapper Kanye West arrived more than 40 minutes late to his weekend performance, marking his first concert since September 2024. The chaotic show for 70,000 attendees was plagued by technical difficulties and drew harsh criticism from fans who described it as the worst concert they had ever witnessed.

Fan-recorded video clips circulated on social media showing thousands of frustrated attendees chanting for refunds as West, who goes by Ye, struggled through a performance marred by numerous technical problems. The Global Times reported the widespread dissatisfaction among concertgoers who had waited eagerly for the rapper’s return to China after a 17-year absence.

One longtime fan expressed deep disappointment on social media, referencing West’s 2010 album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and stating he had struggled to obtain tickets and couldn’t sleep the night before due to excitement. However, the fan described the experience as the worst concert he had ever attended and urged West to reconsider touring entirely.

The frustrated attendee said, “You waste people’s time, excitement and money by pretending that you’re a performer.” He criticized West’s decision to continue touring and suggested the rapper should focus on studio work and surprise album releases instead.

Multiple fans accused the 24-time Grammy winner of lip-syncing throughout most of the performance, with one attendee claiming West’s microphone was active less than 20 percent of the time. During the encore, concertgoers reported that West disappeared from the stage for over 20 minutes while tracks like “Wolves” played without him being visible, leaving audiences confused and increasingly frustrated.

Technical difficulties forced the DJ to restart several songs during West’s brief time on stage. Fans described a myriad of issues that disrupted the flow of the performance, contributing to what one attendee characterized as a poorly organized event. The combination of tardiness, technical problems, and apparent lip-syncing created a perfect storm of disappointment for fans who had waited nearly two decades for West’s return to China.

Event promoter StellarAmberGroup addressed the controversy on China’s social media platform Sina Weibo, attributing some of the production issues to heavy rainfall that prevented certain visual elements from being executed as planned. The company’s statement emphasized that West’s team prioritized artistic integrity and made emergency adjustments to minimize audience disappointment.

The promoter expressed gratitude for the understanding and patience shown by many attendees while offering sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. They thanked fans for their attention and support despite the challenging circumstances that affected the show’s production quality.

This Shanghai concert controversy adds to a pattern of problematic live performances by West. In November 2016, West cut his Sacramento concert short after arriving more than an hour late and performing only two songs before launching into a 20-minute tirade. That incident at Golden 1 Center resulted in full refunds for ticketholders after West abruptly ended the show.

The Shanghai show occurred amid ongoing legal troubles for West, coming just days after his former assistant filed an amended lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, battery, stalking, sex trafficking, false imprisonment and oral rape. Lauren Pisciotta, who worked as West’s personal assistant from 2021 through 2022, claimed most of the alleged crimes occurred during a business trip to San Francisco.

In her legal filing, Pisciotta alleged that West forcibly kissed her and engaged in inappropriate behavior during a hotel room writing session. She further claimed the rapper forced entry into her hotel room and committed sexual assault, leaving her frozen in shock and fear. West’s spokesperson has disputed these allegations.

The rapper’s return to live performance after an eight-month hiatus has been overshadowed by both the Shanghai concert’s technical failures and the serious legal allegations. Fans who traveled to see West’s highly anticipated return to China expressed profound disappointment with the chaotic experience, with many questioning whether the artist should continue touring given the recurring pattern of problematic live performances.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges West faces in delivering satisfactory live performances to his fanbase, particularly following extended breaks from touring. The combination of technical difficulties, tardiness, and apparent lack of engagement during the Shanghai show has reignited discussions about the rapper’s commitment to his live performance obligations.

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