Thousands show up for free Kanye West ‘service’ in Utah

Thousands pack into The Gateway in Salt Lake City for Kanye West’s “Sunday Service,” Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. People were standing on and climbing up anything they could find to catch a glimpse of West. West can be seen in the bottom right wearing a white sweatshirt. (Colter Peterson/The Deseret News via AP)

SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of people showed up to an outdoor shopping center in Utah to see rapper Kanye West perform what he calls a worship service.

Saturday’s concert was held right before the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its twice-yearly conference in Salt Lake City.

West took the stage late in his worship service and performed one song – “Jesus Walks,” from his 2004 album “The College Dropout.”

Kanye West, center, bows his head in prayer during his “Sunday Service” at The Gateway in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Thousands packed into the outdoor mall, causing people to stand on and climb up anything they could find to catch a glimpse of West. (Colter Peterson/The Deseret News via AP)

Afterward, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that West prayed and testified to the crowd about his religious journey.

He also talked about politics and what he called the dangers of social media.

The Deseret News reported that between 7,000 and 10,000 people attended the event.

West has been traveling the country holding these church-like concerts that include choir singers and other musicians. /kga