Kanye 'Ye' West maintains distance from controversy at Gelredome concert

Kanye 'Ye' West performed in the Gelredome in Arnhem, Netherlands, on a towering globe-shaped stage, maintaining a significant physical distance from his audience throughout the two-hour concert. This marked his first performance in the Netherlands since 2013.

While concerts in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Poland were canceled due to West's past antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements, Dutch authorities found insufficient grounds to deny him entry. Arnhem's mayor, Ahmed Marcouch, had extended a last-minute invitation to visit the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, a move not coordinated with the museum itself, which reportedly declined to participate.

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It feels a bit like with a family member who has gone off the rails: you still love them.

The artist, who now goes by Ye, spoke minimally during the show and made no direct references to the controversies surrounding his visit. He performed over thirty songs, including tracks from his new album 'Bully' and older hits like 'Power' and 'Stronger,' with the crowd of approximately 80,000 fans responding enthusiastically over two concerts. The performance concluded with the song 'Runaway.'

Outside the venue, merchandise was sold, including T-shirts referencing his struggles with bipolar disorder, a condition he previously addressed in an advertisement seeking forgiveness for his antisemitic remarks. The concert itself, which included a laser show during 'All of the Lights,' proceeded without incident, and a song titled 'Heil Hitler' was not performed.

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Let’s have a toast for the assholes / Let’s have a toast for the scumbags.