Kanye West brings his cool act to KeyArena on Wednesday
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 14, 2016
Look out everyone: Kanye West is coming to town.
Arguably the world’s most controversial pop star for several years running — and undoubtedly one of its most successful — West is touring now behind “The Life of Pablo,” his latest hit album.
That disc was his first to not be released physically, with West instead opting to stream the album on sites like Apple Music and Spotify. Featuring ear candy like “Waves,” witty raps like “I Love Kanye” and gospel-tinged hip-hop like “Ultralight Beam,” the disc was a worthy addition to his impressive canon.
West also courted controversy with a video that featured extremely life-like statues of other nude celebrities, including West himself, his wife, Kim Kardashian, pop star Taylor Swift and everyone’s favorite presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Now, his tour also is turning heads, quite literally, with the pop star appearing on platforms suspended above the crowd. Seattle fans will get a chance to look up to Kanye during his stop at KeyArena at 8 p.m. Oct. 19.
Tickets are $25.50 to $164 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
That same night, Oct. 19, Norah Jones will play at 8 p.m. at Benaroya Hall.
Jones’ remarkable career began in 2002 with her multiplatinum and Grammy Award-winning debut, “Come Away with Me,” a collection of jazzy piano-based pop.
Since then, she’s dabbled in rock, partnered up with Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong for an album of Everly Brothers’ covers, and taken a swing at straight-up pop.
Now, however, she’s touring behind “Day Breaks,” a new album that finds her returning to the jazz-fueled piano ballads that made her a star.
Tickets are sold-out but can be found at a mark-up at stubhub.com.
The Showbox SoDo in Seattle also will stay busy in the days ahead with three separate shows.
Cold War Kids kick things off with their visit to town at 9 p.m. tonight, Oct. 14.
The prolific group started out as a buzzed-about indie band, but quickly shrugged off those trappings as it began cranking out its reliable collections of anthem-ready rock.
Since its 2007 debut, the band has released six albums and three EPs, a high output in a day and age when new albums can be spaced out by three or four years. The glut of material has resulted in many memorable hits, including “First,” “Miracle Mile,” “Audience” and “All This Could Be Yours.”
Tickets are $25 at axs.com.
Electro-pop act Purity Ring will roll into the Showbox SoDo as it continues to tour behind its 2015 disc, “another eternity.”
The Canadian-based act, featuring the duo of Corin Roddick and Megan James, draws on R&B and hip-hop to craft its own take on electronica.
Tickets are $27.75 at axs.com.
Then, at 8 p.m. Oct. 20, the SoDo will host the grimy rock of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the like-minded Death from Above 1979.
The two guitar-fueled acts deal in the same type of loud and brash rock, milking inspiration from punk and garage bands of the 1960s and 1970s.
Tickets are $32.75 at axs.com.
The Moore Theatre in Seattle also will get in on the action with its own pair of shows in the days ahead. The Fray will hit town first, playing the venue at 8 p.m. Oct. 15.
The group, which deals in easily digested modern rock, hit it big in 2006 with its massive cross-over success “How to Save a Life,” a track that remained on the charts for an irritatingly long 58 weeks.
Since then, the band has settled into its groove, putting out a new disc every two or three years. The group is touring now behind a greatest hits compilation, even as it continues to work on a disc of new material.
Tickets are $45 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Ghost — also sometimes known as Ghost B.C. — will play the Moore Theatre as well, hitting the venue at 8 tonight, Oct. 14.
The Grammy-winning Swedish metal band has won fans among the metal crowd with Satanic lyrics and theatrical concerts — the band typically dons cowls while its lead singer opts for skull make-up and a Pope-like hat.
Tickets are $24.75 to $300 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Finally, the Sunshine Superman himself, Donovan, will play a pair of shows at the Neptune Theatre at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16.
The Scottish pop star made his name in the 1960s with his dreamy, psychedelic ballads. He’s touring now to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his most famous disc, “Sunshine Superman,” which first saw release in 1966.
That album featured some of Donovan’s best-loved material, including its famed title track and “Season of the Witch.”
Tickets are $33.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
