After a tumultuous hiatus, Young Thug is gearing up for a major stage comeback at the Les Ardentes Festival in Liège, Belgium, on July 5, 2025. This will be his first live performance since his release from jail in October 2024, making it one of the most highly anticipated concerts in hip-hop this year.
The festival, running from July 3 to 6, will also feature music heavyweights like J Balvin and Ken Carson, adding to an already stacked lineup.
Thug’s stage return comes after his two-year incarceration due to the high-profile YSL RICO case, which shook the hip-hop world. While behind bars, he kept his music career relevant, dropping the album “BUSINESS IS BUSINESS” in June 2023, which featured Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, and Juice WRLD.
With Les Ardentes being his first time performing in years, fans can expect live renditions of tracks from the album and possibly some new, unreleased heat. The buzz is also building around his rumored collaborative project with Lil Baby and Future, though no official details have surfaced.
Despite his return to the stage, Young Thug isn’t free from legal troubles. He is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) over a $5.25 million loan and a 2017 contract dispute. This could explain why he’s choosing to perform overseas first, as his legal situation may complicate future U.S. tour dates.
As part of Thug’s default on the advance, AEG argued that they received the rights to promote the YSL leader’s live shows. The company claimed even with the rights to Thug’s concerts, he continued booking shows on the side for hundreds of thousands of dollars in performance fees.
“Despite having granted AEG the exclusive right to promote Mr. Williams’ concert performances under the terms of the 2017 Artist Agreement, YSL and Mr. Williams immediately failed and refused to honor their respective obligations under the 2017 Artist Agreement by, among other things, disregarding AEG’s rights, performing concerts without AEG’s involvement, and retaining all proceeds generated therefrom,” AEG lawyer Kathleen Jorrie said at the time.
As the YSL saga continues to unfold, member Gunna’s status is still a hot topic. Since taking a plea deal in the RICO case, Gunna has faced backlash from fans and some rap peers, leading many to question if he will ever reunite with Young Thug.
Gunna, however, has been pushing forward musically, dropping new music and continuing his solo career. While some fans still hope that he and Thugger will reconnect, others believe the YSL split is permanent.
Tickets for Les Ardentes Festival are available now, including general admission, VIP, and 4-day camping passes. With Young Thug’s return being one of the biggest moments in hip-hop this year, we’re sure his international fans will scoop these tickets up fast.
