Not pictured: LASERS!

Sure, the hype last week surrounded Jay-Z and Mary J Blige’s “Heart of the City” tour’s stop at the MGM in Las Vegas. But after witnessing what went down at the Red Rock Resort Friday night for the Glow In The Dark Tour, Kanye & Co. definitely had the live show of the year thus far.

In front of packed crowd of 7,500, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. tore down the house. Chicago’s very own, GLC, kicked off the night by warming up the crowd with a few joints off of his upcoming album on Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint. Consequence – best known for being featured on A Tribe Called Quest’s “Beats, Rhymes & Life” album as well as being signed to G.O.O.D. Music – also teased the crowd with a few songs off of his recent project.

But the teasers couldn’t prepare the crowd for what was in store. Lupe Fiasco brought his A-game for his vibrant set as he rolled through fan favorites such as “Kick, Push,” “Superstar,” and “Daydreamin.” He also brought Nikki Jean and Bishop G along to rock “Little Weapon” and Matthew Santos blessed the crowd with his vocals on “Fighters” and the aforementioned “Superstar.”

Lupe kept it live as he orchestrated a brilliant performance, but left the crowd alive long enough for N.E.R.D. to tear it down.

Pharrell Willams, Shay Haley and Chad Hugo brought a rock band in town to deliver one of the more energetic sets in the past year. As Pharrell and Shay bombarded the crowd with hits like “Lap Dance” and “Rock Star,” they encouraged a diverse contingency to crowd surf the night away.

Even Lil Jon and Darth Vader (well — not really Darth, just Lupe Fiasco in a Darth helmet) jumped on stage to rock out. N.E.R.D. teased the crowd with new songs off of their upcoming album Seeing Sounds (coming June 10th). “Everybody Nose” belted from the speakers as two drum sets were highlighted. But even that wasn’t going to top what Mr. West had planned.

In what can only be described as the most visually stunning one-man show of the decade, Kanye West delivered a performance like none other. Not to give away too much of the show (Kanye has been adamant that professional photography would not be allowed) but the set is a visual and musical journey. Kanye West’s spaceship lands on a strange planet and each song – from “Stronger” to “Jesus Walks” – weaves the tale of Kanye’s attempt to return home. Utilizing props, a 30-foot video screen, fire, smoke and spaceships, the college dropout never let the crowd breathe through his energetic set.

By the time all was said and done, the crowd was just as drained as Kanye was. West even gave out copies of his book, Thank You And You’re Welcome, to attendees as they exited.
Afterwards, the party continued as Lupe Fiasco headed to Prive for a moment to host while Pharrell’s presence was felt in the ridiculously overstuffed Tao. Where exactly was Kanye? Probably on his spaceship refueling for his next show.


Glow In The Dark Tour: Vegas ‘08 from thisislavie on Vimeo.

By Andreas Hale

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