After a Blackout and Bad Weather, Long-Awaited Kanye West Concert Takes Place in Almaty

After a major blackout and severe weather, the long-awaited concert by American rapper Kanye West finally took place in Almaty, 24KZ reports.

The centerpiece of the stage was a giant sphere resembling the Earth, positioned in the middle of the stadium. The entire visual design of the show was built around it. The rapper's team brought more than 100 tonnes of equipment to Almaty for the concert. Kanye West's performance featured special effects, fireworks, and a laser show. The audience particularly praised the sound and production. The artist himself had little interaction with the crowd: he performed his hits and left the stage without a lengthy farewell.

Dilshad Kozhekhmet, Almaty resident:

– I hope I will remember this for the rest of my life, because when else will I be 19 years old and at a Kanye West concert?

Karina Makhpirova, Almaty resident:

– He doesn't follow trends, he creates them. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, and he isn't afraid to go against society. That makes me proud and makes me want to live that way too.

Alexander Lomonosov, tourist:

– We bought the tickets on the very first day they went on sale, and there were no difficulties at all. We came all the way from St. Petersburg, and everything went smoothly. We really liked Almaty. It's a very beautiful city.

Deborah Light, tourist:

– I came from Australia, and I'm very happy to be here in Kazakhstan. I relate to his ideas about freedom, unconventional thinking, and the courage to say things that others are afraid to say. I really admire him for that sincerity and courage.

The global star's concert nearly had to be canceled due to a massive blackout in Almaty. Once power was restored, bad weather intervened. The city was hit by strong winds and heavy rain. Despite the weather, spectators gathered at the central stadium on August 14. However, due to the unfavorable weather conditions, organizers ultimately had to postpone the show until the following evening. The artist himself also commented on the situation. In a social media post, Kanye West told his fans that the decision had been made for their safety.