After nearly two decades away, Ye made a powerful return to Mexico City on Friday (Jan. 30), delivering his first live performance in the country since 2008. The night carried extra emotional weight as Ye marks his long-awaited Mexico comeback by performing with daughter North West, turning the concert into both a spectacle and a deeply personal moment.
A Long-Awaited Return to Mexico
Performing at La México — formerly known as Plaza de Toros México — Ye stepped in front of nearly 40,000 fans, according to organizers. The show represented more than just another tour stop; it symbolized a reunion between the artist and a generation of fans who have grown up with his music, and in many cases, discovered it long after his first Mexico appearance during the Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008.
A Father-Daughter Spotlight Moment
One of the night’s most touching highlights came when Ye invited his eldest daughter, North West, whom he shares with Kim Kardashian, onto the stage. Together, they performed “Only One,” a song already rooted in family and reflection. North also joined her father for four additional tracks, including “Piercing on My Hand,” marking her official music debut and drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Minimalist Stage, Maximum Impact
The concert opened with Ye dressed in a flowing white tunic, escorted by a group of men dressed like monks toward the center of the arena. As the opening notes of “Heartless” echoed through the venue, the performance unfolded like a ritual rather than a traditional concert.
Ye opted for a stripped-down stage design: a circular platform with no screens or towering structures, allowing full 360-degree visibility. The setup resembled a massive moon — at times glowing red like a volcanic crater — as fireworks and lights erupted above the arena, intensifying the atmosphere.
A Hit-Driven Setlist
With minimal talking between songs, Ye let his catalog do the heavy lifting. He powered through fan favorites such as “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Mercy,” “Blood on the Leaves,” “On Sight,” “Black Skinhead,” “Power,” “Bound 2,” and “STARS.” The crowd responded with relentless energy, especially during anthems like “Power” and “Black Skinhead,” which sent waves of excitement across the venue.
Many in attendance were experiencing Ye live for the first time — some not even born when he last performed in Mexico — yet the connection felt immediate and electric.
Global Reach Through Streaming
The experience wasn’t limited to those inside the arena. Friday’s show, along with Saturday’s performance (Jan. 31), was streamed internationally via the ViX Premium platform as part of Ye’s self-directed project titled YE LIVE, allowing fans worldwide to tune in simultaneously.
No Surprise Guests — For Now
Despite days of online speculation and hints from promoter Andrés Charvel, no surprise guests appeared during the first night. Names like Travis Scott and Mexican superstar Peso Pluma had circulated heavily, especially given Peso Pluma’s recent collaboration with Ye, which is rumored to be linked to Ye’s upcoming album Bully.
Art, Controversy, and Redemption
Ye’s return to Mexico followed closely after a full-page advertisement he published in The Wall Street Journal, where he publicly apologized for past antisemitic remarks that had drawn widespread criticism. While his recent years have often been dominated by controversy, the Mexico City performance reminded audiences of his enduring artistic influence — and his role as a father.
