Netherlands approves Kanye West concerts amid ongoing tour controversy
The decision comes after multiple European shows were cancelled amid backlash
Kanye West has been approved to perform two upcoming concerts in the Netherlands, marking a rare green light for the artist following a series of cancellations across Europe tied to public and political backlash.
The 48-year-old rapper, who has been planning a world tour in support of his new album Bully, had several scheduled European shows recently scrapped, including performances in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland and France.
However, Dutch authorities have now confirmed that West will be allowed to enter the country and proceed with his scheduled shows at the GelreDome in Arnhem on June 6 and June 8.
Deputy Prime Minister Bart van den Brink said officials found no legal grounds to block the rapper’s entry following an assessment.
“Solid grounds are needed to bar people from entering [the country],” van den Brink said. “We have not found those in the analyses that were conducted.
His past statements are not, at this moment, a reason to deny him entry.”
West’s European tour plans have faced repeated disruption in recent weeks. His scheduled headlining run at London’s Wireless Festival was cancelled after he was blocked from entering the United Kingdom by the Home Office, a decision that ultimately led to the entire festival being called off.
The move followed criticism from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who defended government action against West, saying the administration “stands firmly with the Jewish community” and would continue efforts to combat antisemitism.
Further cancellations followed across Europe. A planned show in Basel, Switzerland at St Jakob-Park stadium was scrapped after football club FC Basel said the performance was “not in accordance with our values.”
Organizers in Poland also cancelled West’s scheduled June 19 concert in Chorzów, citing formal and legal concerns.
The decision came after Poland’s culture minister Marta Cienkowska publicly condemned the event, pointing to West’s previous antisemitic remarks and controversial statements about Adolf Hitler.
In France, a planned performance in Marseille scheduled for June 11 was also postponed indefinitely.
Despite the setbacks, West continues to move forward with select international appearances, with the Netherlands now standing as one of the few confirmed stops on his European itinerary.
The approved shows in Arnhem are expected to proceed under heightened public attention, given the broader controversy surrounding the tour and its repeated cancellations across multiple countries.
