Lisa Sokolowski
Kayne West is coming to Montage.
That news has been buzzing around the 570 since February, and now, finally, the day we have been waiting for is here: May 18. That's when West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., and Lupe Fiasco are taking over the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.
It makes sense that the biggest stars would open the concert season (no disrespect to James Taylor, but West does look better in popped collars).
We wanted to talk to West for this preview, but he was perhaps too busy "feuding" with 50's people to get back to us. Or maybe he is being selective since the interview in January's
Spin didn't quite paint him in the best light (kind of like Miley Cyrus being told to keep her mouth shut for a few months since those
Vanity Fair pictures stirred up so much negativity. West isn't owned by Disney, but he still has people). Plus, his award show antics make you wonder what would happen if an interviewer breathed wrong.
And we tried Rihanna, but have you seen the weather? April showers have turned into May downpours, so she's probably out being someone's umbrella.
But, even if they won't tell readers in their own words, they're coming.
And so is N.E.R.D., even though Justin Timberlake BFF Pharrell Williams told BBC Radio 1 the band "expired" in March 2005. But, you couldn't really believe that. The band's name stands for No One Ever Really Dies, so I guess bands never really expire is also a true sentiment (but, really B.N.R.E. isn't as easy to say).
And "Superstar" Lupe Fiasco (who was born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) will round out the tour.
Does it sound like a strange mix? Not to those who have ever heard of hip hop supergroup Child Rebel Soldier. The group is made of - wait for it - Lupe Fiasco (he's the child), Kanye West (as the rebel), and Pharell Williams (obviously the soldier).
Will Child Rebel Soldier do a tune together? Not according to reviews of the "Glow In The Dark" tour thus far. But what reviewers do say is the show is a hip-hopera. According to E. Jasmin of
The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash., West gets stranded in a meteor shower, and somehow Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" is on the other planet's set list.
And it all comes together, even the blue-wig wearing naked mannequin.
"The show was a case study in all the things that make Kanye West both interesting and occasionally insufferable," Jasmin blogged after the opening tour date. "He's a risk taker. He obviously loves the fans and works hard to deliver a memorable concert experience. But man! The hubris required to even (pull off) something as gaudy as this show!"
But, hey, when you're Kanye West, you pretty much have the balls to do anything.
2008 concert schedule for the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
Still not sure what's going on when? Cut this list out and hang it on your fridge - or stick it in your wallet over the picture of your girlfriend. She won't mind ... too much.
Sun., May 18: Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., and Lupe Fiasco
Tues., June 10: Dave Matthews Band with Paolo Nutini
Tues., June 17: James Taylor and his Band of Legends
Sun., June 22: Brooks & Dunn with Rodney Atkins and James Otto
Fri, July 25: Brad Paisley with Jewel, Chuck Wicks, and Julianne Hough
Sat., July 26: Maroon 5 and Counting Crows with Sara Bareilles
Sun., July 27: Vans Warped Tour
Fri., Aug. 1: Jonas Brothers with Demi Lovato
Sun., Aug. 3: Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival
Fri., Aug. 8: Toby Keith with Montgomery Gentry, Carter's Chord, Trailer Choir, and Mica Roberts
Sat., Aug. 16: Journey with Cheap Trick and Heart
Sat., Aug. 23: Rascal Flatts with Taylor Swift
Thurs., Aug. 28: The Allman Brothers Band/ Bob Weir and Ratdog
Sat., Aug. 30: Crue Fest featuring Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt
Fri., Sept. 12: 3 Doors Down with Hinder.