Last night, Kanye West kicked off his ‘Saint Pablo’ tour – his first full tour for three years – at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the run-up there was speculation as to whether he’d bring out any guests, just how many rants he’d end up going on, and how the hell he could top the biblical Yeezus Tour. So, how did Yeezy manage it?
when you thought you'd seen it all but then kanye's like "i don't need a stage" #saintpablotour pic.twitter.com/6hm6Qr2DZ3
— Genius (@Genius) August 26, 2016
With a fucking hoverboard stage. Most artists are content to perform at one end of the arena, or sometimes bang in the middle. Kanye, of course, took it upon himself to go above and beyond and quite literally plonk himself on top of the crowd.
https://twitter.com/_lukecreighton/status/769070019586166784
We got a taste of this last year during his Glastonbury headline set with his infamous cherry picker moment during ‘Touch The Sky’. A year on, it feels like that completely bonkers idea has been scaled back into a more realistic vision. Now, the platform hovers merely feet above the head of the crowd; as it moves around the arena, it gives those in the cheap seats a fine view while whipping up a killer atmosphere down on the floor.
@taylorswift13 ???? #SaintPabloTour pic.twitter.com/xATNgh6ItS
— jourdyn berry (@JourdynBerry) August 26, 2016
Kanye is all about the grand statement: through music, fashion or his absurd interviews. His groundbreaking new tour is his latest grand statement. U2 showed the scope for new live show experiences with their 360° tour, and Muse are currently are on the incredible ‘Drones’ tour, but it feels like Kanye has just taken it a step further. Like, how many artists would even think to build a flying stage for their live show?
The #SaintPabloTour… He's performing it all folks. All the old classics. All the new classics. Kanye being Kanye. pic.twitter.com/mRhzajs097
— Rob Sherrell (@RobJustJokin) August 26, 2016
“There’s leaders and there’s followers,” Kanye raps on ‘New Slaves’ and right now he’s definitely leading the pack in terms of putting together an electrifying, dynamic and groundbreaking live show.