{{Short description|2013–2014 concert tour by Kanye West}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox concert | concert_tour_name = The Yeezus Tour | image = Yeezus Tour official poster.jpeg | image_size = 210px | artist = Kanye West | location = {{Flatlist}} *United States *Canada *Australia {{Endflatlist}} | number_of_legs = 3 | album = ''Yeezus'' | type = World | start_date = {{Start date|2013|10|19}} <small>(United States)</small> | end_date = {{End date|2014|9|15}} <small>(Australia)</small> | number_of_shows = 45 | gross = $31.8 million{{efn|Amount grossed over the first 33 dates<ref name="Poll"/>}} | support_acts = {{flatlist| * Kendrick Lamar * Pusha T * Travis Scott * A Tribe Called Quest }} | last_tour = Watch the Throne Tour<br />(2011–12) | this_tour = '''The Yeezus Tour'''<br />(2013–14) | next_tour = Saint Pablo Tour<br />(2016) }}
'''The Yeezus Tour''' was the fifth concert tour by American rapper Kanye West, in support of his sixth studio album, ''Yeezus'' (2013). Announced with a promotional poster in September 2013, it served as West's first solo concert tour since the Glow in the Dark Tour (2007–08). West shared the opening North American dates that same month and in January 2014, he revealed an additional stint across the continent. The rapper announced legs across Europe and Australia for 2014, although the European dates were cancelled. The tour was intended to combine staging, production, and West's aesthetic to showcase his creativity. Its stage design was handled by Es Devlin, the firm Family, Virgil Abloh, and John McGuire, with Devlin having worked on the likes of mountains and icebergs with West. For the imagery, such as the mountain, West was largely inspired by Alejandro Jodorowsky's cult film, ''The Holy Mountain'' (1973). West was accompanied by an opening act from Kendrick Lamar on most dates and Pusha T for some of them, while A Tribe Called Quest opened two shows and Travis Scott accompanied Pusha T on one show.
The tour began in Seattle on October 19, 2013, travelling across the United States, as well as to Canada and Australia, until the last show in Brisbane on September 15, 2014. Due to West's equipment becoming damaged after an accident with his tour truck in late October 2013, numerous tour dates in the US were cancelled and others re-scheduled to later dates. West performed the tracks from ''Yeezus'' alongside work from his earlier albums and accompanied some tracks with narratives, including delivering stream-of-conscious speeches after "Runaway". The concerts were separated into the five themes of "Fighting", "Rising", "Falling", "Searching", and "Finding", which were introduced with elements from the Bible. West followed different stages of his life in the themes, using masks to represent the personality shifts. The tour made use of a light show that included a light beam, laser beams, and an LED screen.
The Yeezus Tour received widespread acclaim from critics, who lauded its imagery and generally focused on the mountain. Some critics commended the lighting, while a few reviewers highlighted West's collection of masks. The tour scored the second-highest grossing leg of a tour in 2013, only behind Paul McCartney's Out There! Tour. It was the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of 2013, at $31.8 million from 33 shows. The tour was included as the year's most seminal concert in Corbin Reiff's 2017 book, ''Lighters in the Sky: The All-Time Greatest Concerts, 1960-2016''. An accompanying Hype Williams–directed film was teased by West in February 2014, although it was cancelled despite negotiations with IMAX due to his personal issues after Kim Kardashian was robbed in 2016.
==Background== [[File:Kendrick Lamar October 2013 (10550563686).jpg|thumb|left|240px|alt=Kendrick Lamar performs in October 2013 during the Yeezus Tour|For most of the first leg, Kendrick Lamar served as the tour's opening act.]] In June 2013, West's sixth studio album ''Yeezus''<ref name="petridis">{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=June 17, 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/17/kanye-west-yeezus-review|title=Kanye West: ''Yeezus'' – review|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=January 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627042740/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/17/kanye-west-yeezus-review|archive-date=June 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> was released to commercial success, reaching number one in 31 countries. Co-producer Mike Dean subsequently confirmed that a tour would be held for the album with him as a backing performer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/19/kanye-west-to-tour-yeezus-mike-dean|title=Kanye West will go on tour, says ''Yeezus'' co-producer|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sean|last=Michaels|author-link=Sean Michaels (writer)|date=June 19, 2013|access-date=September 6, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017064002/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/19/kanye-west-to-tour-yeezus-mike-dean|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 6, 2013, West announced the Yeezus Tour with a promotional poster showing the album's title and him dangling backwards using his arms.<ref name="Eo">{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/456056/kanye-west-announces-yeezus-tour-dates-featuring-kendrick-lamar|title=Kanye West Announces Yeezus Tour Dates, Kendrick Lamar Will Open|website=E! Online|last=Ossad|first=Jordana|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121607/https://www.eonline.com/news/456056/kanye-west-announces-yeezus-tour-dates-featuring-kendrick-lamar|url-status=live}}</ref> West shared 23 dates and the accompaniment of an opening act from fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, who was scheduled for all but five dates that had a "special guest" set instead.<ref name="Xxl">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/kanye-west-taps-kendrick-lamar-north-american-tour/|title=Kanye West Is Taking Kendrick Lamar Out On The Road|magazine=XXL|first=Rys|last=Dan|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910074412/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/kanye-west-taps-kendrick-lamar-north-american-tour/|archive-date=September 10, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> This marked Lamar's first live appearance with a full backing band, although his label Top Dawg Entertainment wanted him to focus on recording rather than joining the tour.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Nyt"/> West's team insisted on his inclusion however, which the label allowed once a studio bus was secured for Lamar to record while touring. In spite of expectations from journalists that the rappers would have engaged in communal bonding, they spent little time around each other. Lamar mentioned that West desired for him not to seem like "just the opener", impressed with the rapper wanting his opening show to be on the same level as the headlining set.<ref name="Nyt">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/kendrick-lamar-hip-hops-newest-old-school-star.html|title=Kendrick Lamar, Hip-Hop's Newest Old-School Star|url-access=registration|magazine=The New York Times|last=Goodman|first=Lizzy|author-link=Lizzy Goodman|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625190308/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/kendrick-lamar-hip-hops-newest-old-school-star.html|archive-date=June 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Tickets went on sale the week after West's announcement and tour dates ran from October 19–December 7, 2013, venturing across the United States and also visiting Canada.<ref name="Eo"/><ref name="Xxl"/><ref name="Cos"/> Later in September, West announced an additional six dates across North America.<ref name="Add"/>
The Yeezus Tour stood as West's first solo tour since the Glow in the Dark Tour from 2007–2008; he did not tour for his fifth album ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'' due to a lack of sponsorship in 2010.<ref name="Cos">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2013/09/kanye-west-announces-2013-us-tour-featuring-kendrick-lamar/|title=Kanye West announces 2013 Yeezus tour, featuring Kendrick Lamar|website=Consequence|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121607/https://consequence.net/2013/09/kanye-west-announces-2013-us-tour-featuring-kendrick-lamar/|url-status=live}}</ref> West had previously performed tracks from ''Yeezus'' live for television shows, including "Black Skinhead" on ''Saturday Night Live'' and "Blood on the Leaves" at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-announces-yeezus-tour-248048/|title=Kanye West Announces 'Yeezus' Tour|url-access=limited|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Coulehan|last=Erin|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024101933/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-announces-yeezus-tour-248048/|archive-date=October 24, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Music programmer Alluxe handled music programming and live vocal effects for the Yeezus Tour, referring to her work as "controllerism" since she felt this represented the complete process of utilizing hardware controllers to control software.<ref name="Laur-N"/> West previously worked with her on West and fellow rapper Jay-Z's track "Made in America" (2011), and their Watch the Throne Tour (2011–2012). The programmer generally strayed from talking about working with acts like these rappers, wanting people to support her music because they enjoyed it rather than because of her connections.<ref name="Laur-N"/>
For the tour's show at Las Vegas' Grand Garden Arena on October 25, 2013, rapper Pusha T served as the opening act. A Tribe Called Quest opened the concerts in New York at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden on November 20 and 24, respectively, marking their first shows since performing in California during August.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Diep |first=Eric |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/q-tip-hints-tribe-called-quest-will-play-last-shows-kanye-tour/ |title=Q-Tip Hints A Tribe Called Quest Will Play Their Last Shows On Kanye Tour |magazine=XXL |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=September 1, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Pf">{{cite news|last=Battan|first=Carrie|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52676-a-tribe-called-quest-join-kanye-west-tour-q-tip-says-its-their-last-shows-ever/|title=A Tribe Called Quest Join Kanye West Tour, Q-Tip Says It's Their Last Shows Ever|website=Pitchfork|date=October 16, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121607/https://pitchfork.com/news/52676-a-tribe-called-quest-join-kanye-west-tour-q-tip-says-its-their-last-shows-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group insisted on doing these final two concerts in their home city, although they later performed together again for a 2017 tour that ended at the English festival Bestival.<ref name="Pf"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/a-tribe-called-quest-plays-their-final-show-at-bestival-2017/|title='A Tribe Called Quest' Plays Their Final Show at Bestival 2017|publisher=CBS News|location=Philadelphia|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121607/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/a-tribe-called-quest-plays-their-final-show-at-bestival-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 30, 2013, West's tour truck was involved in an accident on the way to a concert in Vancouver. The vehicle carried custom-made video screens and equipment, which was damaged beyond repair and this caused the show's cancelation since it was central to the staging.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steiner |first=B.J. |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/kanye-west-cancels-tour-dates-truck-crash/ |title=Kanye West Cancels Tour Dates Because Of Truck Crash |magazine=XXL |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103035753/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/kanye-west-cancels-tour-dates-truck-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> West also canceled tour dates in Denver, Columbus, Montreal, Minneapolis, and St. Louis, with Def Jam citing "routing logistics".<ref name="Steiner"/> Shows in Chicago, Toronto, and Detroit were rescheduled to later dates; the tour leg was set to run until December 23, 2013. The tour resumed at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on November 6, 2013.<ref name="Steiner">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kanye-west-announces-revised-tour-schedule/|title=Kanye West Announces Revised Tour Schedule|magazine=XXL|last=Steiner|first=B.J.|date=November 6, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108011300/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kanye-west-announces-revised-tour-schedule/|archive-date=November 8, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 7, 2014, West revealed nine dates for the Yeezus Tour across the US East Coast and Canada from February 13–23. Live Nation Entertainment held a credit card-sponsored presale the following day and tickets went on sale on January 10, while a press release said the leg would be the last chance for North Americans to see the rapper's "creative concept".<ref name="Rsd">{{cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-rises-again-20140107|title=Kanye's 'Yeezus' Tour Rises Again|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 7, 2014 |url-access=limited |access-date=November 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109180047/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-rises-again-20140107 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 17, 2014, Live Nation announced tour dates across Australia from May 2–10. The leg featured Pusha T as an opening act and marked West's first appearance in the country since the 2012 Big Day Out festival.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-coming-to-australia-5908426/|title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus Tour' Coming to Australia|magazine=Billboard|date=February 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420082951/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-coming-to-australia-5908426/|archive-date=April 20, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref> On March 25, 2014, West announced a European tour leg that included the likes of Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom from June 21–July 6.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/25/kanye-west-announces-details-of-european-tour|title=Kanye West announces details of European tour|newspaper=The Guardian|date=March 25, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref> A German promoter reported three days later that the European dates had been cancelled, citing "production problems".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.factmag.com/2014/03/28/has-kanye-west-called-off-his-european-tour/|title=Kanye West reportedly calls off his European tour|magazine=Fact |date=March 28, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2024}}</ref> On April 1, 2014, Live Nation issued a statement that West postponed the Australian leg until September. The statement cited "unexpected timing requirements" for working on his seventh album that had been set for release in 2014.<ref name="smh.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/kanye-west-postpones-australian-concerts-on-yeezus-tour-20140401-35v91.html|title=Kanye West postpones Australian concerts on Yeezus tour|first=Peter|last=Vincent|date=April 1, 2014 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427080521/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/kanye-west-postpones-australian-concerts-on-yeezus-tour-20140401-35v91.html|archive-date=April 27, 2014|access-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bristout|first=Ralph|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2016-01-12/10782/a-timeline-of-everything-leading-up-to-kanyes-swish|title=A Timeline Of Everything Leading Up To Kanye's 'Swish'|publisher=Revolt|date=January 12, 2016|access-date=September 3, 2024|archive-date=September 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903201251/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2016-01-12/10782/a-timeline-of-everything-leading-up-to-kanyes-swish|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Stage and design== [[File:Kanye West Yeezus Tour Staples Center 4.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=West carried by semi-naked women at the Staples Center for the Yeezus Tour|250px|Parts of the tour were inspired by the 1973 cult film ''The Holy Mountain'', including half-naked women carrying West out of his concerts (''pictured above'').]] A press release for ''E! Online'' said that the Yeezus Tour would combine "state-of-the-art staging, production, and lighting design with [West's] unmatched aesthetic", creative mind, and decade-long discography of singles.<ref name="Eo"/> Set to represent the "end of the world", the tour featured a triangular main stage that resembles a catwalk.<ref name="Hype"/> At a show in New York on November 20, 2013, West revealed that filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 cult film ''The Holy Mountain'' was an inspiration for the Yeezus Tour. Imagery was influenced by the film's mountain that is shown when the thief leaves from a cross after getting attacked with stones by boys, before a spiritual guide attempts to lead him to the Holy Mountain.<ref name="Mount"/> The tour's 50–foot<ref name="Hype">{{cite web|last=Cheung|first=HP|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/10/kanye-west-stage-design-guide-history-timeline|title=Kanye West's Tour Stage Design Timeline|publisher=Hypebeast|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2024|archive-date=June 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630063155/https://hypebeast.com/2018/10/kanye-west-stage-design-guide-history-timeline|url-status=live}}</ref> mountain appears on stage prior to West performing on the top, while explosions from fire and lava occur when the mountain breaks open; it was sometimes referred to as "Mount Yeezy".<ref name="Mount">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/ross-scarano/kanye-west-jodorowsky-holy-mountain|title=Kanye's Holy Mountain: The Influence of Alejandro Jodorowsky on the Yeezus Tour|magazine=Complex|last1=Scarano|first1=Ross|last2=Pasori|first2=Cedar|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121607/https://www.complex.com/style/a/ross-scarano/kanye-west-jodorowsky-holy-mountain|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Brooklyn">{{cite magazine|last1=Kamer|first1=Foster|title=Live Review: Kanye West as Yeezus Christ Superstar in Brooklyn|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review-brooklyn-new-york|magazine=Complex|date=November 20, 2013|access-date=June 23, 2014|archive-date=May 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520221228/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kanye-west-yeezus-concert-review-brooklyn-new-york|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A Night on Mount Yeezus: The Kanye West Experience|url=http://deadcurious.com/2013/11/25/a-night-on-mount-yeezus-the-kanye-west-experience/|website=Dead Curious|date=25 November 2013|access-date=23 June 2014|archive-date=February 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205220612/http://deadcurious.com/2013/11/25/a-night-on-mount-yeezus-the-kanye-west-experience/|url-status=live}}</ref> Various groups of women form circle arrangements in ''The Holy Mountain''; women appear nude or cloaked as they surround West in mostly circular movements during the tour. Faces are covered, uncovered, and attacked by insects in the film, which West references with the various masks of himself and his dancers. The thief is carried in multiple film scenes and West is carried out by a touring crew of semi-naked women, while the character and one on the Yeezus Tour both resemble Jesus.<ref name="Mount"/> West and Jodorowsky met each other in June 2014; he was taken aback by the rapper's pureness and deep desire to craft "a work that develops the consciousness of young people".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/cedar-pasori/kanye-west-meets-alejandro-jodorsky|title=Kanye West Meets One of His Greatest Influences, Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky|last=Pasori|first=Cedar|date=June 18, 2014|magazine=Complex|access-date=September 1, 2024|archive-date=September 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901121608/https://www.complex.com/style/a/cedar-pasori/kanye-west-meets-alejandro-jodorsky|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Yeezus Tour Stage.jpg|left|thumb|West lied down on the triangular main stage as he was encircled by an arrangement of naked women, backed by the 60–foot LED screen that was constructed for the Yeezus Tour.|alt=West lies on the stage with main dancers as the LED screen hangs above.]] The tour's stage design was handled by British designer Es Devlin, who had previously worked on the Watch the Throne Tour and West's Touch the Sky Tour (2005–06).<ref name="Harris">{{cite magazine|last=Harris|first=Christopher|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32015/title.yeezus-tour-architects-share-designs-on-instagram|title='Yeezus' Tour Architects Share Set Designs|magazine=HipHopDX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706191352/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32015/title.yeezus-tour-architects-share-designs-on-instagram|archive-date=July 6, 2015|access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Vice"/> Devlin stated that West was continuously evolving creatively and the two had talked about mountains since 2005, discussing them alongside icebergs during the Watch the Throne Tour. The rapper's concert with Jay-Z in Atlantic City was supposed to feature mountains and icebergs in 2012, which West and Devlin used as a starting point for the tour's planning.<ref name="Vice">{{cite magazine|last=Sokol|first=Zach|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/meet-the-woman-behind-kanyes-yeezus-tour-its-not-kim/|title=Meet The Woman Behind Kanye's Yeezus Tour (It's Not Kim)|magazine=Vice |date=January 21, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> Devlin noted West's dependence on reflected light like an opera and compared pointing a light at the crowd during the concerts to pressing "the energy button".<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hass|first1=Nancy|title=Meet Kanye West's Stage Designer|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/meet-kanye-wests-stage-designer-828678/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=September 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908155528/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/meet-kanye-wests-stage-designer-828678/|url-status=live}}</ref> New York firm Family, Donda's since-deceased creative director Virgil Abloh, stage designer John McGuire, and architect Oana Stanescu also contributed to the design.<ref name="Hype"/><ref name="Harris"/><ref name="Des"/> Abloh posted behind-the-scenes photos of the Yeezus Tour and McGuire had unsuccessfully attempted to persuade West not to use a 60–foot circular LED screen, recalling the screen having to be built.<ref name="Harris"/><ref name="Vulture">{{cite web |last=Giles |first=Matthew |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/kanye-saves-yeezus-tour-led-screen.html|title=How Kanye Fixed His Broken 60-Foot Screen and Saved the ''Yeezus'' Tour|website=Vulture |date=November 17, 2013 |url-access=limited |access-date=September 8, 2024}}</ref> Scenography and choreography were done by Italian designer Vanessa Beecroft, who worked with West on material such as a listening party for his 2008 album ''808s & Heartbreak'', his 2010 short film ''Runaway'' and the music video of "Only One" in 2015.<ref name="Fader-1">{{cite magazine|last1=Mandel|first1=Leah|title=A Brief History Of Kanye West's Work With Vanessa Beecroft|url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/02/11/kanye-west-vanessa-beecroft|magazine=The Fader|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2024|archive-date=September 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908155528/https://www.thefader.com/2016/02/11/kanye-west-vanessa-beecroft|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2013, it was reported by ''The Daily Telegraph'' that the French fashion house Maison Margiela provided West with his clothing for the tour which consisted of 10 specified pieces, 20 ready-to-wear pieces, and a pair of trainers. They designed four face masks that were based in black silk gauze; a spokesperson explained the transparent material needed to be in black for models to see through "because white becomes opaque".<ref name="Tele">{{cite news|last=Sowray|first=Bibby|url=https://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/bibby-sowray/TMG10394534/Maison-Martin-Margiela-outfit-Kanye-West-for-Yeezus-tour.html|title=Maison Martin Margiela outfit Kanye West for Yeezus tour|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=October 22, 2013|access-date=September 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022143409/https://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/bibby-sowray/TMG10394534/Maison-Martin-Margiela-outfit-Kanye-West-for-Yeezus-tour.html|archive-date=October 22, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fashion house issued a statement that they were unfazed by West's public image in October 2013, focusing on working together from appreciation of his support and music. Maison Margiela was not briefed for the Yeezus Tour and only told to design in line with Beecroft's artistic direction, working closely with West since the start of the year and beginning from reinterpretations of their archives.<ref name="Vogue"/> They went through a few fittings for the garments, fabrics, textures, colours, and details, having no limits to production in their Parisian workshop. One of West's masks reinterprets Maison Margiela's signature mask from their shows; they said it was obvious for him this after he performed "in a crystal veil" for their couture collection in the fall of 2012.<ref name="Vogue">{{cite magazine |last=Alexander |first=Ella |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/maison-martin-margiela-creates-kanye-west-tour-wardrobe |title=Maison Martin Margiela Creates Kanye West Tour Wardrobe |magazine=British Vogue |date=November 6, 2013 |url-access=limited |access-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908155528/https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/maison-martin-margiela-creates-kanye-west-tour-wardrobe |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Concert synopsis== [[File:Yeezus tour.jpg|thumb|upright|240px|West was accompanied at the front of the tour's stage by his robe dancers, who held imagery from the Bible as a 50–foot mountain was present in the background.|alt=West and his dancers afront Biblical scenery]] The Yeezus Tour was split into five different themes; "Fighting", "Rising", "Falling", "Searching", and "Finding".<ref name="wtta">{{cite web|last=Polk|first=Leilani|url=https://www.cltampa.com/music/a-look-back-at-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-avant-hop-extravaganza-at-tampa-bay-times-forum-12270955|title=A look back at Kanye West's 'Yeezus Tour' avant-hop extravaganza at Tampa Bay Times Forum|publisher=WTTA|access-date=August 12, 2024|date=December 5, 2013|archive-date=February 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211170221/https://www.cltampa.com/music/a-look-back-at-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-avant-hop-extravaganza-at-tampa-bay-times-forum-12270955|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fader">{{cite magazine|last1=Trammell|first1=Matthew|title=Live: Yeezus Preaches the Word, But Will the World Listen?|url=https://www.thefader.com/2013/11/25/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-new-york-a-tribe-called-quest-kendrick-lamar-live-review|magazine=The Fader|date=November 25, 2013|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=June 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630183018/https://www.thefader.com/2013/11/25/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-new-york-a-tribe-called-quest-kendrick-lamar-live-review|url-status=live}}</ref> The narrative combines the Bible's story of King David with Dante Alighieri's 14th-century poem ''Inferno'', including the poem's quote "Virgil shows up to lead him to salvation"; this character has the same forename as Abloh.<ref name="Elon"/> Each theme's name was projected in white block letters on the LED screen in front of the mountain peak, being introduced over the arena speakers as passages and symbolism from the Bible were utilized.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Thr">{{cite magazine|last1=Weiss|first1=Jeff|title=Concert Review: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar at Staples Center|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-kanye-west-kendrick-651143/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 27, 2013|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202429/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/concert-review-kanye-west-kendrick-651143/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dallas">{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/how-kanye-west-changed-the-message-of-his-yeezus-tour-in-dallas-7064221|title=How Kanye West Changed the Message of His Yeezus Tour in Dallas|newspaper=Dallas Observer|last=Quilantan|first=Vanessa|date=December 9, 2013|access-date=September 5, 2024|archive-date=March 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324190429/https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/how-kanye-west-changed-the-message-of-his-yeezus-tour-in-dallas-7064221|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Iqr">{{cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/inthemix/Review-Kanye-Wests-Yeezus-tour-at-the-Wells-Fargo-Center--.html|title=Review: Kanye West's 'Yeezus' tour at the Wells Fargo Center|last=Deluca|first=Dan|date=November 17, 2013 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810085900/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/inthemix/Review-Kanye-Wests-Yeezus-tour-at-the-Wells-Fargo-Center--.html|archive-date=August 10, 2020|access-date=September 5, 2024}}</ref> The screen moved between images and videos from the stage, as well as images of fire and was backed by thick fog.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Penn"/><ref name="rsyeezus"/> West went against his glass ceiling as he opened with Fighting, ordering Def Jam to give him $50 million as he performed "New Slaves" and "Mercy".<ref name="Fader"/> Rising was based on the rapper's rise to fame, power, greatness, and destiny, relishing in his triumph.<ref name="wtta"/> West alluded to Malcolm X and M.O.P. during "Power" and "Cold", while he shouted atop a rising mountain peak for "I Am a God".<ref name="Fader"/> The dark moment in Kanye's life of his mother Donda West's death was marked by Falling, where a regretful snowfall fell down during "Coldest Winter".<ref name="Fader"/> Kanye West also fought inner demons that he faced as a result of his behaviour, using his celebrity status to hide the fight.<ref name="wtta"/> During "Hold My Liquor" and "Heartless", he was stalked by a red-eyed Yeti demon that crouched from another side of the mountain.<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="SanF">{{cite news|url=https://sfbgarchive.48hills.org/sfbgarchive/2013/10/24/yeezus-stares-down-yetis-climbs-volcanoes-born-again-oracle-arena/|title=Yeezus stares down yetis, climbs volcanoes, is born again at the Oracle Arena|newspaper=San Francisco Bay Guardian|last=Prendiville|first=Ryan|date=October 24, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2024|archive-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915113523/https://sfbgarchive.48hills.org/sfbgarchive/2013/10/24/yeezus-stares-down-yetis-climbs-volcanoes-born-again-oracle-arena/|url-status=live}}</ref> A hell–like setting appeared for "Blood on the Leaves", depicted by bursts of fire and throbbing red projections.<ref name="Fader"/> West engaged in self-reflection as he re-evaluated his place in the world for Searching, introduced by the narrator's promise that "If you seek him, you shall find".<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Fader"/>
left|thumb|West wore a mirror mask during Searching that reflected surrounding brightness, while a singular light beam shined down at him.|alt=West wears his mirror mask that reflects his light beam. West used four different face masks for the concert themes, which represented various aspects of his life.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Thr"/><ref name="Dallas"/> The rapper utilized a bejeweled luchador brown mask with a graffiti style for Fighting, featuring a patchwork of beading, decorative borders, and polished metals.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Thr"/><ref name="Iqr"/> He followed with a black mask during Rising, featuring shining studs of this color. West also rocked a black mask for Falling, covered by square white tiles. The mountain erupted with videos showing lava during the segment, as well as pyrotechnics that included sparks and red flares.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Nola"/> The mountain cooled down before the beginning of Searching, which saw it break open for a procession of models acting as disciples carrying Frankincense and the character of Virgin Mary.<ref name="Nola"/> West had a mirror mask for the segment, reflecting any brightness in front of him similarly to a disco ball.<ref name="wtta"/> He delivered stream-of-conscious speeches through Auto-Tune after performing "Runaway", which were characterized as rants.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="rsyeezus"/><ref name="Slate">{{cite magazine |last1=Kahn |first1=Andrew |last2=Wickman |first2=Forrest |title=All of Kanye West's 'rants' from the 2013 Yeezus tour, transcribed. |url=https://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2016/02/all_of_kanye_west_s_rants_from_the_2013_yeezus_tour_transcribed.html |magazine=Slate |access-date=September 18, 2024 |date=February 11, 2016 |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905002342/https://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2016/02/all_of_kanye_west_s_rants_from_the_2013_yeezus_tour_transcribed.html |url-status=live }}</ref> West often referenced the power of corporations in the speeches, speaking against the likes of the Grammy Awards, MTV, Nike, and label executives.<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="Vice-rev"/> He self-proclaimed himself as a genius and made comparisons to figures such as inventor Nikola Tesla and Jodorowsky,<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="rsyeezus"/> as well as criticizing his media coverage and encouraging the audience to achieve their dreams.<ref name="Dallas"/><ref name="Slate"/><ref name="Vice-rev"/> A character named White Jesus portraying Jesus appeared and removed West's mirror mask while he was kneeling during Finding, revealing the rapper's face for the first time and symbolizing him as ''Yeezus'' meeting Jesus.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Dallas"/><ref name="Iqr"/> The character gave his blessings to West, who then performed "Jesus Walks" and declared after "All of the Lights" that "Don't nobody look stupider than me".<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="Thr"/><ref name="Dallas"/> For the closing number "Bound 2", West and a dozen robe dancers fell to their knees next to White Jesus atop the mountain as the character delivered a sermon.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Thr"/><ref name="Dallas"/> West and the dancers were covered in light in the ending as they looked up at White Jesus, who told the rapper that he was searching for him so he can show people "the light".<ref name="Iqr"/><ref name="Nola">{{cite news |last=Woodward |first=Alex |date=December 6, 2013 |title=Kanye West brings 'Yeezus' to the New Orleans Arena |url=https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/kanye-west-brings-yeezus-to-the-new-orleans-arena/article_e32f4a45-b442-540e-b686-a4da38a46133.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104729/https://www.nola.com/gambit/news/the_latest/kanye-west-brings-yeezus-to-the-new-orleans-arena/article_e32f4a45-b442-540e-b686-a4da38a46133.html |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |newspaper=The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate }}</ref><ref name="Sg">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1529561/kanye-finds-jesus-at-yeezus-tour-opener-in-seattle/photo/|title=Kanye Finds Jesus At ''Yeezus'' Tour Opener In Seattle|website=Stereogum|date=October 20, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2024}}</ref>
thumb|250px|upright|West's dancers appeared on the mountain for the ending, where they held glowsticks.|alt=West's dancers hold glowsticks across the mountain A light show was deployed for the Yeezus Tour,<ref name="Vice-rev">{{cite magazine|last=Baker|first=Ernest|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-live-review/|title=Yeezus Walks: I Got Seized by the Spirit of Kanye's Psychotic New Tour|magazine=Vice|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104727/https://www.vice.com/en/article/kanye-west-yeezus-tour-live-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> with West remaining in the spotlight.<ref name="Dallas"/><ref name="Sg"/> For the beginning, the arena lights dimmed out just before West emerged.<ref name="Brooklyn"/><ref name="Vice-rev"/> Before the rapper appeared at certain concerts, a snippet was played of an unreleased track reportedly titled "I Am Not Here" that cut off abruptly.<ref name="Brooklyn"/><ref name="here">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/edwin-ortiz/kanye-west-i-am-not-here-video-snippet|title=Watch Kanye West Preview New Song 'I Am Not Here' on the 'Yeezus' Tour|last=Ortiz|first=Edwin|date=October 25, 2013|magazine=Complex|access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="here-1">{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Nick|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-517-1237648|title=Kanye West performs snippet of new track 'I Am Not Here' – watch|website=NME|date=October 26, 2013|access-date=September 13, 2024|archive-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915113522/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-517-1237648|url-status=live}}</ref> Rays of flashing white lights then appeared, which covered the stage throughout his performances.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Brooklyn"/><ref name="rsyeezus"/> At points, West is illuminated by a singular light beam.<ref name="Penn">{{cite news|url=https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2014/02/kanye_wests_yeezus_show_is_utt.html|title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus' show is utter brilliance: Top 10 moments|newspaper=PennLive|last=Orso|first=Anna|url-access=limited|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=September 12, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104725/https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2014/02/kanye_wests_yeezus_show_is_utt.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FounD">{{cite magazine|last=Cox|first=Jamieson|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-found-yeezus-in-montreal/|title=I Found Yeezus In Montreal|magazine=Vice|date=February 25, 2014|access-date=September 12, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104728/https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-found-yeezus-in-montreal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Colored laser beams from the mountain shot across the venues and onto the triangular stage,<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="rsyeezus"/><ref name="Huff">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kanye-west-storms-off-stage_n_4377735|title=Kanye West Storms Off Stage At Tampa 'Yeezus' Show Because Of Lighting Issues|website=HuffPost|last=Sieczkowski|first=Cavan|date=December 3, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104725/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kanye-west-storms-off-stage_n_4377735|url-status=live}}</ref> depicting a pyramid.<ref name="Mill-D">{{cite magazine|last=Millard|first=Drew|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/yeezus-review-brooklyn/|title=I Went to the Yeezus Tour Two Nights in a Row and It Took Me Into the Twilight Zone|magazine=Vice|date=November 12, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2024|archive-date=September 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912104725/https://www.vice.com/en/article/yeezus-review-brooklyn/|url-status=live}}</ref> Flashes of different solos were contributed from Dean, including guitar, bass, and synths.<ref name="rsyeezus"/> West's dancers walked down the catwalk in single file at the beginning, appearing in white robes and nude bodysuits with matching stockings on the dancers' faces that left their hair exposed.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Dallas"/><ref name="Penn"/> He made a writhing throne around the dancers, who later surrounded him in a circle on the floor. Representing this scene, footage was shown on the screen of a Satanic orgy combined with a sequence from Busby Berkeley.<ref name="Sg"/> The dancers also posed and showed appreciation for West,<ref name="Spin"/> carrying him out in a procession and holding glowsticks atop the mountain at the ending.<ref name="Vice"/><ref name="Dallas"/><ref name="Penn"/> The mountain changed its setting during the concerts, going from being an iceberg to later splitting in half when transforming from a mountain to a volcano.<ref name="rsyeezus"/><ref name="Entry">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kanye-west-united-center_n_4473709|title=Kanye West At United Center: 'Yeezus' Tour Comes To Chicago (Photos)|website=HuffPost|location=Chicago|date=December 19, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2024|archive-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915113523/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kanye-west-united-center_n_4473709|url-status=live}}</ref> For the iceberg display, it featured a zig-zagging downward path and was connected to the main stage by a crinkled walkway.<ref name="Spin">{{cite magazine|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/10/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-opener-seattle/|title=Kanye West's Masked 'Yeezus' Tour Opener in Seattle Brushes Off Idea of 'A Fun Night Out'|magazine=Spin|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=September 15, 2024|archive-date=November 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131249/https://www.spin.com/2013/10/kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-opener-seattle/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Special guests=== During Lamar's opening acts, the LED screen showed footage illustrating the themes of his sophomore album ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' (2012),<ref name="Thr"/> combining slow motion shots of the city of Compton with Blood-walks.<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="Dallas"/> The shots included arms leaning out of Cadillac windows in the city's sun and smoke of blunts blowing out from the front of porches, which were covered with dandelions.<ref name="Dallas"/> Lamar was backed by a four-piece band that altered his beats,<ref name="Fader"/> contributing licks and bass.<ref name="wtta"/><ref name="Thr"/> He brought out fellow rapper E-40 for him to perform "Function" at a tour stop in San Jose on October 22, 2013, coinciding with the one year anniversary of ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kendrick-lamar-e-40-yeezus-san-jose|title=Kendrick Lamar Brought Out E-40 For 'Yeezus' Tour Stop in San Jose|last=X|first=Dharmic|date=October 23, 2013|magazine=Complex|access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref>
For the concerts opened by A Tribe Called Quest, the group were backed by a body-painted lady representing "Bonita Applebum" on the screen, who appeared in black, red, and green.<ref name="Fader"/><ref name="Wete"/> The lady showcased her 38-24-37 frame and during "Sucka Nigga", projections were cast of children throwing around a sign reading "n-word".<ref name="Fader"/> Q-Tip wore matching leather sweatpants, which became a staple of his as a GOOD Music signee.<ref name="Mill-D"/><ref name="Wete">{{cite magazine|last=Wete|first=Brad|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/a-tribe-called-quest-crushes-yeezus-tour-in-one-of-their-final-5800477/|title=A Tribe Called Quest Crushes 'Yeezus' Tour, in One of Their 'Final' Shows|magazine=Billboard|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref> The member also rocked a camouflage military jacket, a black sleeveless T-shirt with the title of their 1993 album ''Midnight Marauders'', and a pair of Air Jordan 1s. Other group members Phife Dawg and Jarobi White leapt into the air with choreographed steps during tracks like "Excursions" from their 1991 album ''The Low End Theory'', while the two walked across the stage for "Bonita Applebum". DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad played his version of "Scenario", during which Busta Rhymes appeared to rap his verse. A Tribe Called Quest closed with "Award Tour", followed by Q-Tip expressing his appreciation and love for the audience.<ref name="Wete"/>
== Marketing == [[File:Freeport pacsun 07.07.2012 11-36-25.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The tour's merchandise was first sold by PacSun after West secured a marketing deal with them and it was available in their stores from October 2013, one of which is pictured above.|alt=A PacSun store pictured in Freeport, Maine]] After West failed to persuade The Gap, Inc. to sell the Yeezus Tour's merchandise at stores due to company politics, clothing brand PacSun announced they had secured a deal with him for sale both in stores and online on October 25, 2013. The merchandise invoked 1980s heavy metal bands and consisted of T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and trucker hats.<ref>{{cite news|last=Battan|first=Carrie|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52779-kanye-west-yeezus-merch-on-sale-at-pacific-sunwear/|title=Kanye West ''Yeezus'' Merch on Sale at Pacific Sunwear|website=Pitchfork|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205135/https://pitchfork.com/news/52779-kanye-west-yeezus-merch-on-sale-at-pacific-sunwear/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Goddard|first=Kevin|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/18120-kanye-west-s-yeezus-tour-merch-going-to-be-sold-at-pacsun-news|title=Kanye West's 'Yeezus Tour' Merch Going To Be Sold At Pacsun|website=HotNewHipHop|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205135/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/18120-kanye-west-s-yeezus-tour-merch-going-to-be-sold-at-pacsun-news|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="com-tour">{{cite magazine |last1=Takanashi |first1=Lei |last2=Destefano |first2=Mike |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/lei-takanashi/the-design-evolution-of-kanye-west-tour-merch |title=A Timeline of Kanye West's Tour Merch |magazine=Complex |date=October 4, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627204854/https://www.complex.com/style/a/lei-takanashi/the-design-evolution-of-kanye-west-tour-merch |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same month of West's partnership, he made T-shirts available with the Confederate flag and opened a pop-up shop in Los Angeles for this merchandise. In spite of the flag's racist history, West explained that his usage was due to how it "represented slavery in a way" and considered any energy to be good.<ref name="Photos"/> West also asserted that he made this symbol his flag, describing it as combining "super hood [with] super white boy approved" for his signature style.<ref name="Photos">{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Julee|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kanye-west-confederate-flag-shirt-explained_n_4173200|title=Kanye West Explains Those Confederate Flag Concert Shirts (Photos)|website=HuffPost|date=October 29, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205135/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kanye-west-confederate-flag-shirt-explained_n_4173200|url-status=live}}</ref> The merchandise also incorporated skeletons that wore Native American headdresses as they knelt to pray, dressed like the Grim Reaper using a scythe.<ref name="com-tour"/><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hartzog|first1=Oscar|title=Best Kanye West Merch 2022: Buy Donda, Kids See Ghosts, Yeezus Online|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-kanye-merch-1297152/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 9, 2022|url-access=limited|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205135/https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-kanye-merch-1297152/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later sold during West's appearances at festivals such as Made in America and Bonnaroo in the summer of 2014.<ref name="com-tour"/> On January 10, 2016, DJ Khaled shared new tees and hoodies for the Yeezus Tour that featured motifs of skulls, the Grim Reaper, and Playboy Bunny.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lemola|first=Hasse|url=https://hypebeast.com/2016/1/dj-khaled-shows-off-new-yeezy-merch|title=DJ Khaled Shows off Brand New Yeezus Merchandise on Snapchat|publisher=Hypebeast|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=December 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226223641/https://hypebeast.com/2016/1/dj-khaled-shows-off-new-yeezy-merch|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Euse |first1=Erica |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/erica-euse/a-look-at-yeezus-merch-2016 |title=The Best Look Yet at the New Yeezus Merch |magazine=Complex |date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923205135/https://www.complex.com/style/a/erica-euse/a-look-at-yeezus-merch-2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jerry Lorenzo, one of the tour's merchandise designers, revealed that he had unseen items from the production process in September 2017. His fishtail parka sold for $4,000, while items such as the tees were available for only $1.<ref name="Lor"/>
In February 2014, West uploaded a trailer of a film for the Yeezus Tour to his website. It featured speedy shots of the tour, showing horses running in snow and West wearing his masks.<ref name="Gerrick"/> Author Bret Easton Ellis revealed around the same time of the trailer that he was working with the rapper on a project, after having re-imagined a scene from ''American Psycho'' (2000) for a promotional clip of the tour. Ellis was reluctant to write for the film until he listened to an advance copy of ''Yeezus'' in the summer of 2013; he then crafted a script in "Kanye land".<ref name="Gerrick"/> The film was set to be shot by director Hype Williams, who previously directed music videos for West's singles like "Gold Digger", "Stronger", and "Heartless".<ref name="Gerrick">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |title=Kanye West debuts trailer for 'Yeezus' film |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-kanye-west-debuts-trailer-for-yeezus-film-20140228-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911090253/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-kanye-west-debuts-trailer-for-yeezus-film-20140228-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2023, Williams explained to ''Complex'' how after he shot the film with West in Chicago and Toronto, the two engaged in a dress rehearsal with attention to detail so intense that they lost its original meaning. West was working on ''The Life of Pablo'' at this time, therefore him and Williams instead decided to shoot videos for the album.<ref name="Hughes"/> The director and Scooter Braun spent six months negotiating with IMAX for the film's release, although it was discarded due to West's personal issues after his then-wife Kim Kardashian was robbed in Paris. Williams revealed that nobody, not even West himself, has viewed the film and it was filmed in 2014; he compared its significance to an unreleased recording from the likes of the Rolling Stones or the Beatles.<ref name="Hughes">{{cite magazine |last=Hughes |first=Aria |title=How Hype Williams Became Hip-Hop's Most Important Image Maker |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/aria-hughes/hype-williams-interview |magazine=Complex |access-date=September 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018192230/https://www.complex.com/style/a/aria-hughes/hype-williams-interview?utm_campaign=complexmag&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |date=October 17, 2023}}</ref>
==Reception== [[File:Yeezus Tour Verizon Center Kanye West - Kanye Omari West (10989572935).jpg|thumb|250px|Reviewers often praised the tour's design and imagery, including the mountain and West's masks.|alt=West performing atop a mountain at the Verizon Center on November 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. on The Yeezus Tour.]] The Yeezus Tour was met with widespread acclaim from critics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kanye West|url=https://www.facebook.com/LiveNationAustralia/photos/a.164837693529755/799791093367742/|publisher=Live Nation Australia|date=February 16, 2014|via=Facebook|access-date=September 22, 2024}}</ref> Writing for ''Rolling Stone'', Jonathan Ringen described the tour as "totally bonkers" for its combination of entertainment, ambitions, and West's emotion delving into "places that are dark and weird and sad".<ref name="rsyeezus">{{cite magazine|last1=Ringen|first1=Jonathan|title=11 Reasons Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Tour Is Actually Incredible|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/11-reasons-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-is-actually-incredible-20131122|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 22, 2013|url-access=limited|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819090854/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/11-reasons-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-is-actually-incredible-20131122|url-status=live}}</ref> He highlighted the stage props like mountains and creatures, the musicality of West's performances, his dancers' processions, his theatrical masks, and the lighting.<ref name="rsyeezus"/> Ernest Baker of ''Vice'' said that the tour feels like West's "personal exaltation" and resembles a horror film to a heightened degree from the Staples Center concert's closeness to Halloween, holding this atmosphere through the night and contrasting with his "stadium status" from the Glow in the Dark Tour by focusing on himself.<ref name="Vice-rev"/> Baker described the Yeezus Tour as a funeral of West's frustrations in a haunted house through the backing guests of "goths [and] men in skirts", praising the stage design for its layering and the mountain.<ref name="Vice-rev"/> He noted that "blasphemy rules with a self-aware wink" in a way which is "creepy", rock, and punk.<ref name="Vice-rev"/> Baker compared West walking the path of his mountain to the angels in the video for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Tha Crossroads", concluding by calling the tour "a larger than life moment" with cultural aspects and meaningful speeches from West.<ref name="Vice-rev"/> ''Forbes'' staff member Zack O'Malley Greenburg noted the tour as divine art from West's flourishes of fire and ice, as well as the mountain and his masks.<ref name="forbes"/> Greenburg questioned if it is "the current mass cultural phenomenon" of art pop over Lady Gaga's 2013 album, offering that West takes "risks that few pop stars, if any, are willing to take in today's hyper-exposed" genre.<ref name="forbes"/> He concluded that the tour is "overwrought and uncomfortable at times", yet was impressed with it going against "norms and provoking thought" in a manner straying from mainstream artists at the time.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web|last1=Greenburg|first1=Zack O'Malley|title=Kanye West Makes His Own Artpop On Yeezus Tour|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/11/25/kanye-west-makes-his-own-artpop-on-yeezus-tour/#7ac1db4f18f2|website=Forbes|date=November 25, 2013|access-date=July 25, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824110602/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/11/25/kanye-west-makes-his-own-artpop-on-yeezus-tour/#7ac1db4f18f2|url-status=live}}</ref> Jim Farber of the ''New York Daily News'' found that West's masks make him appear like a gladiator and he had a dramatic moment of moving his arms out to surrender to the arena's white light, highlighting the glacier-like structure and LED screen. Farber was thrilled with how the tour manages to either "startle or appall" and praised the appearance of the dancers, while he concluded that "unyielding beats, hellish textures and a brusque flow" were offered with an impact "as stunning as West's ego itself".<ref name="daily">{{cite web |last1=Farber |first1=Jim |date=November 20, 2013 |title=Concert review: Kanye West startles, appalls during 'Yeezus' show at Barclays |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/review-kanye-west-startles-appalls-barclays-article-1.1523009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817141425/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/review-kanye-west-startles-appalls-barclays-article-1.1523009 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref>
''Complex''{{'}}s Foster Kamer was impressed with West's performances and the accompanying theatrics, noting that they serve the purpose of supplementing his "raw energy".<ref name="Brooklyn"/> Kamer glorified how only West would have the audacity to open a tour with "Mount Yeezy" and directed praise towards the lights, dancers, yeti, and the rapper's speeches.<ref name="Brooklyn"/> Colin McGuire from ''PopMatters'' was taken aback by the "ambitious and wildly theatrical" tour that proved West's superiority to his peers and was comparable to Abdellatif Kechiche's ''Blue Is the Warmest Colour'' (2013), while he praised West's "uncanny ability" at gaining or losing the respect of his listeners and his confidence.<ref name="Pm">{{cite web|last1=McGuire|first1=Colin|title=In Defense of Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Tour|url=https://www.popmatters.com/179366-in-defense-of-the-yeezus-tour-2495685262.html|website=PopMatters|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921195610/https://www.popmatters.com/179366-in-defense-of-the-yeezus-tour-2495685262.html|url-status=live}}</ref> McGuire highlighted West's speeches after "Runaway" and how his inspiration is unique from other artists, seeing him as representative of "the parts of us that popular culture rarely allows us to reveal" with the provocative element of his focus on both religion and erotica.<ref name="Pm"/> For ''The Hollywood Reporter'', Jeff Weiss was compelled by the tour's themes and West's masks; he lauded the mountain, dancers, and Yeti demon, while observing the significance of the character White Jesus' appearance. Weiss saw it as "syncretistic extravaganza" and highlighted West's meticulous approach to his performances, noting that the proclamations in the rapper's speeches "strike a bizarre thunder in person" and concluding him outmatching Lamar's impressive opening set leaves the question, "What's a King to a God?"<ref name="Thr"/>
The first leg of the Yeezus Tour stood behind singer Paul McCartney's Out There! Tour as the second highest grossing tour leg of 2013, gathering $25.2 million from 283,241 ticket sales.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Allen|first=Bob|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5855032/mccartney-tops-hot-tours-with-40m-gross-from-japan-shows-kanye-lands-in|title=McCartney Tops Hot Tours With $40M Gross From Japan Shows; Kanye Lands in Runner-Up Slot at $25M|magazine=Billboard|date=December 27, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129040818/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5855032/mccartney-tops-hot-tours-with-40m-gross-from-japan-shows-kanye-lands-in|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of the year, totaling $31.8 million from 33 shows.<ref name="Poll">{{cite magazine |title=2013 Top 100 Worldwide Tour |url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2013YearEndTop100WorldwideTours_chartItem_103.pdf |magazine=Pollstar |access-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208175742/https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2013YearEndTop100WorldwideTours_chartItem_103.pdf |archive-date=December 8, 2019}}</ref>
In veteran critic Corbin Reiff's 2017 book Lighters in the Sky: The All-Time Greatest Concerts, 1960-2016, which ranks the most seminal concert of each year, lists the Yeezus Tour for 2013. Reiff told ''Business Insider'' at the time of publishing that the tour was one of the greatest live rap presentations ever and emphasized West's level of thought put into performing, believing anyone who knew nothing about him could watch it and "come away wowed at least".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lynch|first1=John|title=Best Concert Tours of All Time, According to a Veteran Music Critic|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/best-concert-tours-all-time-according-to-veteran-music-critic-2017-11|website=Business Insider|date=November 15, 2017|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923182734/https://www.businessinsider.com/best-concert-tours-all-time-according-to-veteran-music-critic-2017-11|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, a list of the greatest tours of all time compiled by Vivid Seats and ''Consequence'' ranked the tour at number 68. Nina Corcoran felt that the ambitious stage design elevated West's personality and talent, focusing on the heavy usage of imagery and his speeches.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Melis |first1=Matt |last2=Corcoran |first2=Nina |title=The 100 Greatest Tours of All Time |url=https://consequence.net/2019/01/the-100-greatest-tours-of-all-time/ |website=Consequence |access-date=December 5, 2019 |date=January 23, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408231024/https://consequence.net/2019/01/the-100-greatest-tours-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Wheelchair controversy=== During the Yeezus Tour's concert at Qantas Credit Union Arena in Sydney on September 12, 2014, West insisted that he could not continue with the show and perform "Good Life" until all of the audience stood up.<ref name="Deb">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-reportedly-stops-sydney-concert-and-asks-fan-in-wheelchair-to-stand-up-9731845.html|title=Kanye West halts concert after two fans don't stand up - doesn't realise one is in wheelchair and the other disabled|newspaper=The Independent|last=Debnath|first=Neela|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923181742/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-reportedly-stops-sydney-concert-and-asks-fan-in-wheelchair-to-stand-up-9731845.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-29203790|title=Kanye West tells wheelchair-user to stand up|publisher=BBC News|last=Hawkins|first=Kathleen|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=November 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117094913/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-29203790|url-status=live}}</ref> He offered that standing up would not be mandatory if "you got a handicap pass and you get {{sic}} special parking and shit", while expressing disbelief at how long he had been waiting to perform.<ref name="Deb"/><ref name="Bbc"/><ref name="Dot">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/kanye-west-wheelchair-fan/|title=For his latest concert gaffe, Kanye West tells fan in a wheelchair to stand up|website=The Daily Dot|last=Ramirez|first=Ramon|date=September 14, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923181744/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/kanye-west-wheelchair-fan/|url-status=live}}</ref> West noticed the two wheelchair-using fans after they were brought to his attention by bodyguard Pascal Duvier and others seated nearby, accepting their exceptions and then performing "Good Life".<ref name="Deb"/><ref name="Bbc"/><ref name="Dot"/> He received negative attention across the media and Twitter over the incident, with commentators finding it inconsiderate to disabled people.<ref name="Bbc"/><ref name="Cnn">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/16/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/kanye-west-concert-controversy-response/index.html|title=Kanye West fires back over wheelchair incident|publisher=CNN|last=Gauk-Roger|first=Topher|date=September 16, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923181232/https://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/16/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/kanye-west-concert-controversy-response/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A spokesperson for the organisation People with Disability Australia accused West of humiliation, citing how it could have been "a young person who's coming to terms with their disability".<ref name="Bbc"/> West delivered a five-minute rant about the incident at a tour stop in Brisbane on September 15, 2014, offering the likes of Matt Lauer, Michael Strahan, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Roberts to look at him from a new perspective rather than providing negative headlines. He also told the media that from his position as a married, Christian family man, they should have placed their focus on someone else instead of him.<ref name="Bbc"/><ref name="Cnn"/>
==Set list== The Yeezus Tour was split into five different themes, which featured the below set lists performed by West.<ref name="wtta"/> He also delivered "Drunk and Hot Girls", "I Wonder", "Street Lights", "Heard 'Em Say", and the instrumental of "Hey Mama" for the first concert in Seattle on October 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Levine |first1=Nick |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-493-1240463 |title=Kanye West raps from giant mountain on opening night of 'The Yeezus Tour' – watch |website=NME |access-date=September 19, 2024 |date=October 20, 2013 |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194743/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-493-1240463 |url-status=live }}</ref> At some concerts, a snippet was played of West's unreleased track "I Am Not Here".<ref name="Brooklyn"/><ref name="here"/><ref name="here-1"/>
'''Fighting''' #"On Sight" #"New Slaves" #"Send It Up" #"Mercy" '''Rising''' #"Power" #"Cold" #"I Don't Like" #"Clique" #"Black Skinhead" #"I Am a God" #"Can't Tell Me Nothing" #"Coldest Winter"
'''Falling''' #"Hold My Liquor" #"I'm in It" #"Guilt Trip" #"Heartless" #"Blood on the Leaves"
'''Searching''' #"Lost in the World" #"Runaway" '''Finding''' #"Stronger" #"Through the Wire" #"Jesus Walks" #"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" #"Flashing Lights" #"All of the Lights" #"Good Life" #"Bound 2"
== Tour dates == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ List of 2013 concerts<ref name="Add">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2013/09/kanye-west-adds-even-more-dates-to-2013-yeezus-tour/|title=Kanye West adds even more dates to 2013 Yeezus tour|work=Consequence|first=Alex|last=Young|date=September 23, 2013|access-date=September 26, 2013|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925194813/http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/09/kanye-west-adds-even-more-dates-to-2013-yeezus-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Steiner"/><ref name="Rsd"/>{{efn|See the following citations for Pusha T, Travis Scott, and A Tribe Called Quest's appearances on the North American leg:<ref name="Pf"/><ref name="Scott">{{cite magazine |last=X |first=Dharmic |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/travis-scott-yeezus-tour-las-vegas |title=Travi$ Scott 'Yeezus' Tour Las Vegas |magazine=Complex |date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085155/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/travis-scott-yeezus-tour-las-vegas |url-status=live }}</ref>}}<ref>Citations regarding 2013 North American attendance and box scores: * {{cite magazine|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6MAUmEIcq?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-date=December 27, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|title=''Billboard'' Biz: Current Boxscore|date=December 25, 2013|access-date=December 27, 2013|magazine=Billboard}} * {{cite magazine|date=November 6, 2013|title=''Billboard'' Boxscore|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|issn=0006-2510|access-date=November 6, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Kw8YHSdg?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-date=November 6, 2013}} * {{cite magazine|date=November 12, 2013|title=''Billboard'' Boxscore|magazine=Billboard|location=New York|issn=0006-2510|access-date=November 12, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6LodRqJ4L?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> |- ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Date (2013) ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:17em;" | Venue ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Opening act ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Attendance ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Revenue |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 19 | Seattle | rowspan="27" | United States | KeyArena | rowspan="3" | Kendrick Lamar | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 22 | San Jose | SAP Center | 10,557 / 10,557 | $670,603 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 23 | Oakland | Oracle Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 25 | Las Vegas | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Pusha T<br />Travis Scott | 10,183 / 10,183 | $748,055 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 26 | rowspan="2" | Los Angeles | rowspan="2" | Staples Center | rowspan="5" | Kendrick Lamar | rowspan="2" | 28,332 / 28,332 | rowspan="2" | $2,875,505 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | October 28 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 16 | Philadelphia | Wells Fargo Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 17 | Boston | TD Garden | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 19 | rowspan="2" | Brooklyn | rowspan="2" | Barclays Center | rowspan="2" | 25,062 / 25,062 | rowspan="2" | $2,349,202 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 20 | A Tribe Called Quest |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 21 | Washington, D.C. | Verizon Center | rowspan="2" | Kendrick Lamar | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 23 | rowspan="2" | New York City | rowspan="2" | Madison Square Garden | rowspan="2" | — | rowspan="2" | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 24 | A Tribe Called Quest |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 27 | Nashville | Bridgestone Arena | rowspan="16" | Kendrick Lamar | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 29 | Miami | American Airlines Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | November 30 | Tampa | Tampa Bay Times Forum | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 1 | Atlanta | Philips Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 3 | Kansas City | Sprint Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 5 | New Orleans | New Orleans Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 6 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 7 | Houston | Toyota Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 8 | San Antonio | AT&T Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 10 | Phoenix | US Airways Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 13 | Anaheim | Honda Center | 12,503 / 12,503 | $940,846 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 17 | rowspan="2" | Chicago | rowspan="2" | United Center | rowspan="2" | 30,010 / 30,010 | rowspan="2" | $2,687,476 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 18 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 19 | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 11,228 / 11,228 | $832,947 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 22 | rowspan="2" | Toronto | rowspan="2" | Canada | rowspan="2" | Air Canada Centre | rowspan="2" | — | rowspan="2" | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | December 23 |- |}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ List of 2014 concerts<ref>Citations regarding 2014 North American attendance and box scores: * {{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=''Billboard'' Boxscore :: Current Scores|date=March 8, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6NgGKjHMJ?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 26, 2014}} * {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=''Billboard'' Boxscore :: Current Scores|date=March 15, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Nqs61wJx?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore|archive-date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=March 5, 2014}}</ref><ref name="smh.com.au"/><ref>Citations regarding Australian attendance and box scores: *{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=''Billboard'' Boxscore : Current Scores|date=September 17, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Sf6HyzVO?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=September 17, 2014}} *{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=''Billboard'' Boxscore : Current Scores|date=September 24, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6SpiXdrww?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2014}} *{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=''Billboard'' Boxscore :: Current Scores|date=October 8, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6TB477YD6?url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=October 8, 2014}}</ref> |- ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Date (2014) ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | City ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:17em;" | Venue ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Opening act ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Attendance<!-- Please do not add boxscore numbers without a source from either Billboard or Pollstar. --> ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" | Revenue<!-- Please do not add boxscore numbers without a source from either Billboard or Pollstar. --> |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 13 | University Park | rowspan="3" | United States | Bryce Jordan Center | rowspan="9" {{n/a}} | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 14 | Baltimore | 1st Mariner Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 15 | Newark | Prudential Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 17 | Montreal | rowspan="2" |Canada | Bell Centre | 6,173 / 7,437 | $504,130 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 18 | Hamilton | Copps Coliseum | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 19 | Albany | rowspan="4" | United States | Times Union Center | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 21 | Uncasville | Mohegan Sun Arena | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 22 | Atlantic City | Boardwalk Hall | 7,789 / 10,018 | $507,157 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | February 23 | Uniondale | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 5 | Perth | rowspan="7" | Australia | Perth Arena | rowspan="7" | Pusha T | 12,902 / 12,902 | $1,421,860 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 7 | Adelaide | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | — | — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 9 | rowspan="2" | Melbourne | rowspan="2" | Rod Laver Arena | rowspan="2" | 22,635 / 22,635 | rowspan="2" | $2,557,370 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 10 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 12 | rowspan="2" | Sydney | rowspan="2" | Qantas Credit Union Arena | rowspan="2" | 22,159 / 22,159 | rowspan="2" | $2,426,320 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 13 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | September 15 | Brisbane | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | — | — |}
== Personnel == '''Musicians'''{{efn|Taken from ''Pitchfork'', apart from any musicians with citations next to their titles.<ref name="Pf"/>}} *Kanye West{{spaced en dash}} vocals *Kendrick Lamar{{spaced en dash}} vocals *Pusha T{{spaced en dash}} vocals *Travis Scott{{spaced en dash}} vocals<ref name="Scott"/> *A Tribe Called Quest{{spaced en dash}} vocals *Mano{{spaced en dash}} DJ{{efn|Mano served as the DJ until he announced he departed the tour on August 13, 2014, calling fans of West gay for obsessing over his departure.<ref name="DJ">{{cite news|last1=Rettig|first1=James|title=This Supercut Of Kanye's DJ Fucking Up Probably Explains Why He Got Fired|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1698695/this-supercut-of-kanyes-dj-fucking-up-probably-explains-why-he-got-fired/news/|website=Stereogum|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923184543/https://www.stereogum.com/1698695/this-supercut-of-kanyes-dj-fucking-up-probably-explains-why-he-got-fired/news/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} *Mike Dean{{spaced en dash}} backing performer, guitar, bass, synths<ref name="rsyeezus"/>
'''Production and staging''' *Elon Rutberg{{spaced en dash}} creative director<ref name="Elon">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/yeezus-tour-narrative-kanye-west-creative-director-elon-rutberg-7525633/|title=Kanye West Collaborator Elon Rutberg Talks Yeezus Tour Narrative Inspiration|last=Penrose|first=Nerisha|date=September 28, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 8, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812134440/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7525633/yeezus-tour-narrative-kanye-west-creative-director-elon-rutberg|url-status=live}}</ref> *Alluxe{{spaced en dash}} programming<ref name="Laur-N"/> *Vanessa Beecroft{{spaced en dash}} scenographer, choreographer<ref name="Fader-1"/> *Yemi A.D.{{spaced en dash}} stage director, choreographer<ref name="Laur-N">{{cite magazine|last=Nostro|first=Lauren|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/alluxe-premiere-interview/|title=Meet Alluxe, the 'Controllerist' of the Yeezus Tour and, Soon, Your Mind|magazine=Vice|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923181232/https://www.vice.com/en/article/alluxe-premiere-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> *Es Devlin{{spaced en dash}} stage design<ref name="Harris"/> *Family{{spaced en dash}} stage design<ref name="Harris"/> *John McGuire{{spaced en dash}} stage design<ref name="Vulture"/> *Oana Stanescu{{spaced en dash}} stage design<ref name="Des">{{cite magazine|last1=Wolf|first1=Cameron|title=Meet the Architect Who Designed Kanye West's Epic 'Yeezus Tour' Set|url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/cameron-wolf/oana-stanescu-works-with-kanye-west-yeezus-tour-set|magazine=Complex|date=August 6, 2015|access-date=September 22, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923182732/https://www.complex.com/style/a/cameron-wolf/oana-stanescu-works-with-kanye-west-yeezus-tour-set|url-status=live}}</ref> *Virgil Abloh{{spaced en dash}} stage design<ref name="Harris"/> *Maison Margiela{{spaced en dash}} stage outfits<ref name="Tele"/>
'''Crew''' *Pascal Duvier{{spaced en dash}} bodyguard<ref name="Dot"/> *Wes Lang{{spaced en dash}} merchandise<ref name="Photos"/> *Jerry Lorenzo{{spaced en dash}} merchandise<ref name="Lor">{{cite magazine |last=Woolf |first=Jake |url=https://www.gq.com/story/fear-of-god-designer-jerry-lorenzo-selling-his-1-of-1-yeezus-tour-parka |title=Fear of God Designer Jerry Lorenzo Is Selling His 1-of-1 Yeezus Tour Parka |magazine=GQ |date=September 12, 2017 |url-access=limited |access-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923181232/https://www.gq.com/story/fear-of-god-designer-jerry-lorenzo-selling-his-1-of-1-yeezus-tour-parka |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== * ''The Holy Mountain'' (1973 film)
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Kanye West}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yeezus Tour, The}} Category:Kanye West concert tours Category:2013 concert tours Category:2014 concert tours Category:Concert tours of the United States Category:Concert tours of Canada Category:Concert tours of Australia