Kanye West draws 118.000 fans for historic first concert in Istanbul
31.05.2026 - 12:20 | Last Updated:
Kanye West made his long-awaited live debut in Türkiye on Saturday, performing before a reported crowd of 118,000 fans at Istanbul’s largest stadium in one of the biggest music events of the year.
Global music star Kanye West took the stage in Istanbul for the first time on Saturday night, drawing an estimated 118,000 spectators to Atatürk Olympic Stadium and delivering a spectacle that combined music, technology and large-scale visual production.
The stadium reportedly reached full capacity hours before the show as fans from across Türkiye and several European and Middle Eastern countries arrived to witness West’s first-ever performance in the country. Concertgoers traveled from nations including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia and Poland for the highly anticipated event.
West opened the concert with “Father” and closed the nearly two-hour performance with “Stronger,” taking fans through a setlist that spanned much of his career. Among the songs performed were “Runaway,” “Power,” “Flashing Lights,” “Heartless,” “Black Skinhead,” “All The Love,” and “Homecoming.”
The Grammy-winning artist performed from the center of a massive spherical stage that served as the visual centerpiece of the production. Inspired by some of West’s recent large-scale stadium shows, the structure was transformed into a giant globe through advanced projection technology, creating an immersive backdrop for the concert.
The performance featured synchronized lighting displays, smoke effects and large-scale visual sequences that illuminated the venue throughout the night. Thousands of fans used their cellphone flashlights during several songs, creating a sea of lights across both the stands and the field.
Audience members sang along to many of West’s biggest hits, with chants and applause echoing throughout the stadium during the performance.
The event also attracted several Turkish actors and musicians, adding to its profile as one of the country's most prominent entertainment gatherings of the year.
For fans unable to attend in person, the concert was streamed live through Kanye West’s official YouTube channel, where it reportedly attracted millions of viewers shortly after the broadcast began.
