Kanye West Slammed by Fans in Shanghai as 'Worst Concert Ever' Sparks Refund Chants

What was billed as Kanye West's triumphant return to China after 16 years quickly spiralled into chaos. On 12 July 2025, around 70,000 fans packed Shanghai Stadium for what was promoted as an unmissable live show. But excitement soon turned into confusion, then fury, as the rapper failed to appear on stage for more than 40 minutes.

When West finally appeared, it was only on a large screen, wearing a full-face mask. He said very little and performed even less. Fans flooded social media, calling it the 'worst concert ever' and posting videos of the crowd loudly chanting 'refund' in unison.

Lip-Syncing and Long Silences Fuel Backlash

Many attendees were shocked to see that West appeared to lip-sync through much of the performance. Witnesses said he left the stage several times while pre-recorded vocals continued playing. Long silences and sudden blackouts added to the confusion and frustration.

'I paid over £180 for my ticket and he barely sang live,' one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'It felt like I was watching a dress rehearsal.'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, most of the set relied on backing tracks, while West's live vocals and presence were minimal and inconsistent.

Organisers Blame Weather - Fans Aren't Buying It

Promoters later blamed the issues on stormy weather and last-minute technical problems. In a statement released on Chinese social media platform Weibo, organisers said, 'Ye's team insisted on prioritising artistic integrity. The weather presented serious staging risks, which led to emergency adjustments.'

However, fans were not convinced.

'We waited almost an hour in the rain for what? A playback?' one user wrote on Weibo. As the night progressed, the crowd's mood shifted from excited to hostile.

The Controversial Shadow of 'Heil Hitler'

The concert also took place amid controversy over West's song Heil Hitler, which was released in May 2025 and has been widely condemned for its provocative content. The track was banned on YouTube and sparked criticism from global civil rights groups and officials.

Footage from the Shanghai show appeared to show some audience members raising their arms in Nazi-style gestures. The incident came just days after China marked the 80th anniversary of its anti-fascist victory in World War II, making the imagery especially inflammatory.

Kanye's Influence Faces Growing Doubts

Despite the controversy and erratic performances, Kanye West continues to draw huge crowds. However, the backlash from his Shanghai show has raised fresh questions about how long his fan base will stay loyal.

For many in attendance, the issue is no longer whether West can sell out stadiums. It is whether fans are still willing to show up at all.