There are few artists more talked about, more critically and artistically polarizing, more vocal, more controversial, and more prolific than Kanye West. The Chicago-based musician, producer, fashion designer and artist is known for his unique style of music production, iconic hooks, and impeccable style in how he dresses, and, following the release of his album The Life Of Pablo, West has hit the road again for the Saint Pablo tour. I was fortunate enough to witness his Buffalo stop, and my experience was a flurry of smoke, music, audio-visual splendor, and absolutely unforgettable. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to make a pilgrimage to worship at the altar of Yeezus.
1. The merch table will be a madhouse
West is known for his minimalistic yet stylish tour merchandise being produced in limited numbers for every stop, and this tour is no exception. Unfortunately, this will lead to an almost mosh-pit-esque mob surrounding the merch table. I waited for at least half an hour, and was nearly crushed every time somebody finally bought an item and squeezed their way through the crowd. Hypebeasts be crazy.
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2. There will be a wait, but it will be worth it
After the doors opened to the seats and general admission, it would be another hour before West would take the stage. But the pre-show is interesting enough, with strange ambient noises and synthesizer drones buzzing through the air, accompanied by smoke machines filling the surroundings with fog, setting the mood for the following spectacle.
3. The sights alone are worth the wait
As the show starts, West is lowered onto his platform as it glows beneath his feet, casting him in a silhouette as the opening strains of "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1" begin to boom through the auditorium, creating a striking impression that is not to be soon forgotten. And as his stage is moved around the stadium above, the audience, it gives him the appearance of a carnival ringmaster, commanding the audience to move at his command, to twist and turn at his beck and call, with the flashing lights cutting through the fog and creating an almost holy glow around West, the true image of a man in control.
4. The setlist has something for everybody
Although the setlist mostly stuck to newer cuts from The Life Of Pablo, all of the eras of West's career were represented in the show. From the classics like Jesus Walks and Flashing Lights, to the aggressive minimalism of Black Skinhead and Blood On The Leaves, to the opulent majesty of Power and All Of The Lights, and to the fragile beauty of Runaway and Amazing, there is something for every Kanye fan out there. He gives every track his all as if his life depended on it.
5. It ends perfectly
And, two hours and thirty three songs later, as West looked up at the sky, a single beam of light cut through the fog towards the audience, and his stage began to slowly march towards it as Ultralight Beam began to play. And after giving it his all, West dropped to his knees as the light bathed his body from head to toe. And ever so slowly, his stage softly drifted to the ground away from the light, and fog machines filled his platform with clouds of pillowy smoke as the music faded away for the last time. And, as the house lights turned on, the smoke flew off into the auditorium to reveal that West was gone. The artist has disappeared, and left us wanting more, but sweaty, joyous, excited, and undoubtedly, unendingly satisfied. Be sure to catch a show.
