This past weekend, Kanye West graced the American Airlines arena with two nights of his highly-anticipated Saint Pablo Tour. His latest album, “The Life of Pablo,” despite having a rocky release, includes top-charted songs like “Famous” and “Father Stretch My Hands.”
The show itself was, in my opinion, a letdown as far as Kanye standards go. Before Kanye fans start yelling, let me explain. Earlier this month, I attended Drake and Future’s Summer Sixteen tour. Since we are in Miami, a city where celebrities love to party, Drake gave the audience “the long show,” and he brought out special guests such as Rihanna and Lil Wayne. Drake interacted with the crowd, cracked jokes and performed extra songs upon request. I expected a similar energy and wow-factor from Kanye West, another big-name rapper.
Leading up to the concert, I had read countless articles online to find out which songs he would sing and what the show would be like. Everything I had read and heard about the Saint Pablo tour screamed, “greatest show ever.” Frankly, I am not sure why all the articles I read were so impressed with the show.
Kanye is known for being ridiculous, shocking, different and most definitely obsessed with himself. In typical “Yeezus” fashion, he performed on a floating stage, hovering above the crowd the entire night. Taking it one step further, he didn’t have any lights or spotlights on stage. In fact, the entire arena was dark, shadowy and purposely fogged, with the only lighting coming from underneath the stage.
This performance was disappointing to me as someone who finds the most fun in watching an artist dance and enjoy his time on stage at concerts, like Drake and Future did. Maybe it was his “creative vision,” but I could not help but think it was almost as if Kanye didn’t think we were worthy enough to see him.
“Heartless,” “Stronger,” “Power,” “Runaway” and “Good Life:” I’ll give it to him that the set list was pretty amazing. My friends and I jammed for a few hours to some Kanye classics as well as to his new music. And I have to admit that ever since Friday night, Kanye has been added to my go-to workout and tanning-by-the-pool playlists.
Overall, I’d rate the concert experience a seven out of 10 due to lackluster production value. Saint Pablo did not wow me as much as I’d have liked, but that didn’t stop me from having a great time. However, in comparison to my recent Miami concert experiences, I have to say: Drake: one, Kanye: zero.
Kylie Saigol is a freshman majoring in International Finance and Marketing and Global Business Studies, a travel enthusiast, and social media addict!
words_kylie saigol. picture_linda lluaces & liz bocanegra.