It looks like 2014 will be Outkast’s year, according to the San Francisco Weekly, the rap duo will be playing more than 40 festivals this spring and summer, yeah you read that right, 40 festivals. A few days ago, they have officially been announced as one of the headliners of Coachella, and at the time it was really a big deal,… like the reunion of the decade ? But now we know they are also headlining the Governors Ball at Randall’s Island in NYC, and it’s highly probable they will also be headlining the Outside Lands festival and 37 (or more) other festivals. I am just wondering, how much is too much?
I have never seen Outkast, I don’t even remember much about their music and I had to look for some videos in order to refresh my memory, and of course all I could remember was their happy carefree anthem ‘Hey Ya!’… this is not even real hip hop right? But good marks for them to have gotten spots generally reserved for white bands at festivals hyper saturated by EDM and indie bands. Coachella will mark the first time Andre Benjamin and Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton will play together in 10 years.
Big Boi told Pitchfork: ‘It’s truly an honor to celebrate 20 years and still be free to do music the way we choose. Just think outside the box, know that there is no box. I’m looking forward to rocking the stage with my Bro Ski and to all the fans—stank you smelly much, this is for y’all!’
‘And imagine, all we wanted to do was rap! I am thankful to have been a part of a group that allowed me to explore anything that came to mind and have fun doing it. Returning to the stage together is the most exciting way for us to thank everyone for their 20 years of supporting Outkast,’ André added.
So they disappeared for about seven years, and suddenly they are headlining every single festival of the planet? Aren’t they afraid of a Outkast saturation? Are they that broke? Plus this is a bit strange, if they want to reappear, why not a proper tour instead of showing up at festivals? At least when you have your own shows you know that people are coming exclusively for you, but festivals are such a different animal, they have huge crowds, drunk people and all kinds of hipsters and weirdos. Honestly, not going to Coachella doesn’t sadden me at all, festivals are a pain – I know, I have done some and will do some – but they are the equivalent of bulimia for people who appreciate food as much as I appreciate music.
However, Outkast has something hot in store, yeah you guessed it, a new album. At least this is what their ex manager Queen Latifah (really?) said when she stopped by Howard Stern’s radio show. I just wonder again, are festivals the best venues to introduce new material?