Ye Brings Out Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Future and Twista at Soldier Field in Chicago During His First Hometown Concert Since 2021

CHICAGO, IL — Ye returned to Chicago on Friday for his first hometown concert since 2021, turning Soldier Field into a high-profile homecoming after years of canceled dates and controversy. The night marked the first of two shows at the stadium and quickly became a nostalgia-heavy set built around his biggest records.

The performance arrived after Ye’s first U.S. show in five years at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in April, followed by later stops in Tampa, San Antonio and New Orleans. International dates on the tour, including shows in London, Marseille, Prague and Chorzów, Poland, were canceled amid backlash tied to Ye’s history of antisemitic remarks.

Big Sean returns for "Clique," "IDFWU" and "Mercy"

One of the evening’s biggest reactions came when Ye brought out Big Sean, who was signed to Ye’s G.O.O.D. Music label in 2007 before the two later had a falling-out. Their history made the reunion feel like a genuine event for longtime fans, especially in a city that has tracked Ye’s career from the beginning.

The pair performed “Clique” from 2012, then Big Sean stayed onstage for his solo hit “IDFWU.” The guest list widened again when 2 Chainz joined them for “Mercy,” adding another familiar voice to a sequence that leaned on songs from Ye’s peak-era catalog. The appearances gave the set a strong throwback feel without losing momentum.

Future shows up late in the night

Future also made a late appearance, bringing more current-era star power to the second half of the show. He performed his own songs “Keep it Burnin” and “Fuck Up Some Commas” alongside Ye, extending the night beyond a simple greatest-hits run.

Those collaborations helped the concert move between eras and styles, from older anthems to more recent material. The mix suggested Ye wanted the Chicago crowd to see both the architect of the records and the guests who helped define some of his biggest live moments. For fans, the surprise factor was part of the appeal.

Twista gives the Chicago crowd its most local payoff

If any guest felt tailor-made for a Chicago homecoming, it was Twista. The Windy City rapper appeared to loud enthusiasm from the hometown crowd and linked Ye’s present-day return to some of his earliest, best-known hits.

Together, they performed “Overnight Celebrity,” from Twista’s 2004 album Kamikaze, and “Slow Jamz” from The College Dropout. Those songs remain central to Ye’s early rise, and Twista’s presence underscored how much of that breakout era was built around Chicago relationships. For many in the building, that segment likely felt like the emotional center of the night.

A setlist that stretched from early classics to newer songs

Ye’s setlist at Soldier Field was long and wide-ranging, moving from “Homecoming” and “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1” to “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Power,” “Love Lockdown,” “Bound 2” and “All of the Lights.” The night also included songs such as “Through the Wire,” “Gold Digger,” “Stronger” and “Runaway,” keeping the focus on the records that helped define his career.

The show also reached into more recent material, with performances of “Off the Grid,” “Praise God,” “Carnival” and “Ghost Town.” Andre Troutman appeared on several songs, including “Say You Will,” “Heartless,” “All the Love” and “Stronger,” adding another layer to a set already packed with familiar names and songs. The breadth of the list showed how much ground Ye tried to cover in one night.

Why the Chicago show mattered after years of cancellations

Ye’s return to Chicago carried extra weight because it came after a long stretch in which live appearances were scarce or delayed. His April show in Los Angeles marked his first U.S. concert in five years, and these later dates signaled a gradual return to American stages.

At the same time, the tour has remained shadowed by cancellations overseas. The canceled shows in London, Marseille, Prague and Chorzów reflected how closely his recent history continues to shape where he can perform and how each booking is received. In that context, a packed Soldier Field show in his hometown stood out as a significant milestone, even before the second night in Chicago.

Chicago's music scene, one story at a time — Chicago Music Guide.