Kanye West concert in Madrid goes ahead despite antisemitism backlash and European cancellations

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is set to perform at Madrid's Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Thursday 30 July, a concert that has survived a wave of cancellations across Europe. The American rapper's tour originally included 15 dates in 12 European countries, but eight shows in six nations have been scrapped after his repeated antisemitic statements, Holocaust denial, and public admiration for Adolf Hitler. Spain, however, has not moved to block the event, despite sharp criticism from the Jewish community and the country's own culture minister.

European cancellations

The United Kingdom, France, Poland, Switzerland, and Italy all cancelled planned concerts. The UK barred West's entry and removed him from the Wireless festival lineup. France suspended a scheduled show after threats of a veto, and West later withdrew. In Poland, the culture ministry owned the Silesian stadium where the concert was to take place and refused to host it. Minister Marta Cienkowska was emphatic that a country so deeply scarred by the Holocaust could not give a platform to someone who supports Hitler. Switzerland's FC Basel, owner of the venue, rescinded its contract with promoters, stating that after a thorough review it could not offer a stage to the artist in line with the club's values. Italy and Australia also took action; Australia revoked West's visa last year following the release of his song 'Heil Hitler'.

Tras un análisis exhaustivo, hemos decidido no seguir adelante. De acuerdo con nuestros valores, no podemos ofrecer una plataforma al artista en cuestión en este contexto.

Six concerts remain on the schedule: in Turkey, the Netherlands (two shows), Georgia, Albania, Portugal, and Spain.

Spain's legal and political response

Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun described West's remarks as repugnant but said his ministry would not promote a cancellation. The decision, he argued, rests with the promoter, not the government. Spanish law does classify West's statements as a hate crime under Article 510 of the Penal Code, carrying prison sentences of one to four years. However, the principle of territoriality means the remarks must have been made on Spanish soil, and Article 20 of the Constitution prohibits prior censorship. As a result, no legal barrier exists to stop the concert unless West makes offensive comments during the performance itself.

Las manifestaciones que ha hecho Kanye West me repugnan. No me gustan nada, me parecen completamente fuera de lugar. Dicho lo cual, no le corresponde al Ministerio promover la cancelación de ningún concierto por las opiniones que haya vertido cualquier artista.

Jewish community reaction

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) expressed deep concern and rejection of the event. In a statement, the organization acknowledged that freedom of artistic creation and expression are essential pillars of democracy, but warned they cannot serve to normalise hate speech, the exaltation of Nazism, or the trivialisation of the Holocaust. The FCJE called on authorities and organisers to reflect on the impact of offering a platform to someone who has repeatedly used his notoriety to spread antisemitic messages.

España no debe ser una excepción ni un refugio para quienes han contribuido a difundir mensajes que alimentan el antisemitismo y dañan la memoria del Holocausto.

What to expect

The concert is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Metropolitano stadium, home of Atlético de Madrid. Neither the club nor regional authorities have taken steps to block it. With no legal mechanism for prior censorship and no indication that West will be denied entry, the show is expected to proceed as planned. The controversy, however, has already ignited a broader debate in Spain about the limits of free expression and the country's relationship with Holocaust memory.