There's an orchestral rework of a classic Kanye West album coming to Bristol
Posted on: 25 Apr 2022Strings, bass, percussion, vocals and a bespoke light show will combine for an unforgettable live experience in May.
Bristol's O2 Academy is gearing up to host one of its most unique live shows of the year next month, as a collective of classical musicians arrives in BS1 to perform Kanye West's iconic debut album, The College Dropout, in full.
Complete with a full orchestral arrangement as well as live vocals and a light show created specially for the tour, fans can expect to hear the music of one of the world's most successful rappers like they've never heard it before.
Tickets for the performance - taking place on Saturday 14 May - are on sale now and can be found here.
Having released nine Number One albums and worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry across a glittering 20-year career, Kanye West is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century.
The rapper's innovative debut album, 2004's The College Dropout, features hit tracks 'Jesus Walks', 'Through The Wire' and 'All Falls Down', and counts Jay-Z, Common and Mos Def among its collaborators.
West scooped the Best Rap Album award at that year's Grammys for the project, which went on to go four-times platinum in the US and double-platinum in the UK.
Recently thrust back into the limelight with the release of three-part Netflix documentary 'Jeen-Yuhs', West's back catalogue is the subject of renewed interest globally.
While the artist himself is promoting his latest album, a follow-up to 2021's DONDA which received mixed reviews across the music press, fans are reacquainting themselves with hit records like The College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation.
It's the perfect opportunity, then, for musicians around the world to have some fun and breathe new life into West's early releases. Accordingly, orchestral series Re:imagine is returning to his discography to form their latest UK tour.
Having previously recruited classical musicians to rework the music of Dr Dre, Beyonce and, most recently, Frank Ocean, prolific live promoters Re:imagine are back at it for their latest run of shows in May, June and July.
Alongside the Bristol date on Saturday 14 May, Re:imagine's The College Dropout tour includes a stop at Birmingham's O2 Institute and four London dates at XOYO.
Tickets for the Bristol show are on sale and can be found here. For more information, or to find out what else is coming up at the O2 Academy this year, head to the venue's website.
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Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
