Recent developments have indicated a shift in plans for the anticipated 'Vultures' album listening sessions featuring Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign. The upcoming large-scale playbacks scheduled for arenas in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C., in April have been canceled abruptly. The cancellations were announced shortly after the initial promotion, leaving fans disappointed.
A representative for Kanye West confirmed the cancellation of the shows, although Kanye himself has remained silent on the matter, having deactivated his Instagram account over the weekend. The decision to call off the gigs follows a wave of negative feedback stemming from the duo's performance at the Rolling Loud Festival in Inglewood, Calif. Attendees were promised a live performance but were instead presented with a playback of 'Vultures 1' tapes, with Kanye and Ty Dolla Sign merely present on stage wearing masks.
The April events were marketed as a 'Vultures 1 & 2 Listening Experience,' hinting at the release of 'Vultures 2,' which was initially slated for March 8. However, there has been no recent indication of the sequel's release. Kanye West had hinted at unconventional release strategies for 'Vultures 2,' contemplating a paid download or exclusive streaming platform launch.
The canceled shows were set to take place in various cities, with tickets either already on sale or scheduled for release. Fans who had purchased tickets have been assured of refunds, with resale platforms still listing tickets for the now-scrapped performances. The venues in Florida and Charlotte have issued statements expressing regret over the cancellations, citing logistical constraints for Kanye and Ty Dolla Sign.
Prior to the removal of event listings, the 'Vultures' listening experience was described as a 'hi-fidelity audio experience,' indicating a focus on the music rather than live performances. Ty Dolla Sign defended the decision not to perform live at these playback events, asserting that the experience still surpassed other artists' live shows.
As of now, the future of the 'Vultures' album project remains uncertain, with fans eagerly awaiting updates on any rescheduled listening sessions or the release of 'Vultures 2.'
