EVERETT – Kanye West has had more impact on the musical world in just two years than many artists have during their entire careers.
And more than 4,000 fans at the Everett Events Center Friday night got a firsthand look at why.
From the minute he stepped onto the stage, West exuded a presence that commanded attention, breaking into the tour’s namesake, “Touch the Sky,” off his sophomore release, “Late Registration.”
West used every inch of the stage, looking like Friday night was the first night of a tour he’s been anxious to begin.
In fact, it was the second-to-last stop of the “Touch the Sky” tour, which started in October and included 45 dates. It ends tonight in Vancouver, B.C.
West wasn’t deterred by the half-full arena, bounding from side to side while laying down his smooth rhymes.
The relatively sparse crowd was another example of the trouble hip-hop artists have had – regardless of their album sales – in selling out concerts.
West’s debut album, “The College Dropout,” sold more than 3 million copies and nabbed West 10 Grammy nominations. “Late Registration,” meanwhile, has already sold more than 2 million copies and landed West eight more Grammy nominations, it was announced last week.
West made it clear he was putting on a complete stage production, with lights and screens flashing colorful designs throughout the night. The star, no longer in the making, made use of several wardrobe changes, starting the show with a gray blazer over white slacks and switching into a red polo shirt, a white T-shirt and an all-white suit for his stirring, “Jesus Walks.”
He touched on his first two albums in equal measure. But it’s clear the past two years have seemed longer to West, who said, “Let’s see if you remember this one,” when introducing “We Don’t Care” and following it with “The New Workout Plan” off “College Dropout.”
West spent the first hour of his 90-minute, 19-song set building up for what would be a massive climax. The first hour included some favorites, such as “Drive Slow,” “Spaceship” and “Get ‘Em High,” and concluded with sentimental new entries “Roses,” “Heard ‘Em Say” and “Hey Mama.”
That kicked off a six pack of hits that ended the show with a fury, including “Slow Jamz,” “Through the Wire” and the grand finale, “Diamonds of Sierra Leone.”
Fantasia made her second appearance inside the Everett Events Center, where she headlined the “American Idols Live” tour last year.
Fantasia roused the crowd early and didn’t let up during a 35-minute set that included a few of her own favorites, such as “Ain’t Gonna Beg,” “Selfish” and “It’s All Good.” But it was highlighted by a pair of covers, Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” which proved to be a stirring end and left the crowd hungry for headliner Kanye West.
R&B singer Keyshia Cole kicked off the night with a quick 20-minute set.
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@ heraldnet.com.
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