So the Splendour in the Grass lineup has finally dropped, and sitting pretty right at the top of it are the legendary, and recently reformed, Outkast. We know they’ve already played the first two shows of their reunion tour at this month’s Coachella, and soon they’ll be headed our way. So what should you expect from an Outkast performance in 2014?
INCREDIBLE VISUALS
Sure, it’s mostly all about the music, but putting on a full stage show is just as important, and from what we’ve seen, Outkast have it nailed. Their main set piece, a giant opaque cube, dominates the stage. And various visual projections that are tailored to each song are splashed across it, which range from bright bursts of colour, to their iconic Stankonia American flag.
ONE HELL OF A SETLIST
Their setlist is packed, and it is a one-way ticket to Hit City. Set opener B.O.B. remains an absolute barnburner, and ensuing bangers like The Way You Move, Ms. Jackson, Roses, So Fresh, So Clean and megahit Hey Ya! all make welcome appearances. But it’s the deeper cuts that really fill the set out. It’s as good an Outkast setlist as you could ever expect.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Both Big Boi and Andre 3000 have been around the block more than a couple of times, and they’ve certainly got more than their fair share of mates. Over the two weekends of Coachella, a few of those mates popped up to help them out. On weekend one, it was Future and Janelle Morae, who provided arguably the highlight of the night. And on weekend two, Killer Mike popped up to help close out the set. Whether they make it out to Byron Bay is questionable, but one thing’s for sure: Expect the unexpected.
AN IN-FORM BIG BOI & ANDRE 3000
It might have been 8 years since they last performed together, but neither Big Boi nor Andre 3000 have lost a step. Their flow is as tight as ever, and their ability to engage a crowd is damned near unparalleled. They might have gotten off to something of a rocky start at Coachella Weekend One, but by Weekend Two they were firing on all cylinders. Minds were blown. Including Solange’s. Knowles family approved!
Outkast just completely blew my mind
Outkast always blows my mind
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) April 19, 2014
PROBABLY YOUR ONLY CHANCE TO SEE THEM IN AUSTRALIA
We all know these reunions hardly last forever. Who knows how long they plan on sticking around? And with Splendour being Outkast’s only show in Australia on this particular trip, it’s entirely likely that this is going to be your only chance to see them on familiar shores. Hop to it!
Photo: Kevin Winter via Getty Images.
