Kanye West Comes to Jesus at 'Yeezus' Tour Kickoff
Kanye West launched his highly-anticipated “Yeezus Tour” before more than 15,000 fans at Seattle’s Key Arena on Saturday night. Following a 45-minute set from supporting act Kendrick Lamar, the rap titan delivered a two-hour-plus extravaganza with flashing lights, costume changes, religious theatrics, and even Jesus Christ.
With a single spotlight on him, a masked ‘Ye made his way to the front of the stage’s catwalk to open with “On Sight” as cloaked women with stocking-covered faces stood behind him.
According to Rolling Stone, he performed every song off Yeezus and dipped into his back catalog with “Stronger,” “Power,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” and “Runaway.”
A 60-foot white mountain served as the stage’s backdrop with a circular projection screen towering above him, a stark contrast from his “Glow in the Dark” tour.
He got emotional during “Hey Mama,” filled the arena with Catholic incense (“I Wonder”), and was lifted up by his troupe of female dancers.
But the biggest surprise came in the form of Jesus Christ himself, who ascended to the top of the mountain as Yeezus bowed before him.
“White Jesus, is that you?” asked ‘Ye (via MTV News) before taking off his mask and yelling, “Oh, shit!”
He performed his 2004 single “Jesus Walks,” eventually closing with his Yeezus cut “Bound 2.” The crowd chanted “Yeezus” as he vanished from the stage.
“The Yeezus Tour” continues tonight in Vancouver and runs through Dec. 7.
See footage from opening night below.
“The Yeezus Tour” Set List (via NME)
“On Sight”
“New Slaves”
“Send It Up”
“Mercy”
“Power”
“Cold”
“Black Skinhead”
“I Don’t Like”
“I Am A God”
“Can’t Tell Me Nothing”
“Coldest Winter”
“Hold My Liquor”
“I’m In It”
“Drunk and Hot Girls”
“Guilt Trip”
“Heartless”
“Blood On the Leaves”
“I Wonder”
“Runaway”
“Hey Mama” (Instrumental)
“Street Lights”
“Lost In the World”
“Heard ‘Em Say”
“Stronger”
“Through the Wire”
“Jesus Walks”
“Flashing Lights”
“All of the Lights”
“Bound 2”
Photo credit: Virgil Abloh + Rob Markman