Music

Kanye West in London

"When you’ve appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine wearing a crown of thorns, released a song called ‘Jesus Walks’ and proclaimed that had the Bible had been written in 2007, you’d be significant enough to feature in it, performing in a church must feel to you like a night in front of ‘EastEnders’ feels to the rest of us. Like you’re at home..."

When you've appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine wearing a crown of thorns, released a song called 'Jesus Walks' and proclaimed that had the Bible had been written in 2007, you'd be significant enough to feature in it, performing in a church must feel to you like a night in front of 'EastEnders' feels to the rest of us. Like you're at home.

Of course, this being Kanye West ("the most exciting artist in the world right now" as host June Sarpong will later announce) it isn't any old church that he's playing in tonight. No, in keeping with previous venues in Vodafone's consistently innovative TBA series, we're being entertained in the rather important feeling Central Methodist Hall, Westminster; overlooked outside by the Houses of Parliament and, inside, lavishly ornate. It feels suitably grandiose for a star of Mr West's lofty status. (And yet intimate enough to feel very, very exciting - after all, Kanye is a festival headliner these days).

Kanye West exclusive footage

Check out exclusive video from Kanye's Vodafone TBA gig at Central Hall Westminster in London.

View Kanye West footage

The afore-mentioned lofty status has become something of a trademark for the famously arrogant, politically provocative and six Grammy award-winning rapper/producer. But it's something fans love him for - as much as we love his break-the-mould outfits, clever lyrics and killer tunes - which is possibly why we forgive him for coming on stage a whole hour and a quarter late.

Waiting patiently for Kanye on-stage is possibly the best-dressed backing orchestra in the world: the all-girl, 20-odd strong ensemble is kitted out in silver face paint, pink, yellow or green rubber day-glo tutus, with matching ankle socks (surely not a hint at what's in store from West's soon-to-be-launched clothing line).

"I thought it would all be off the new album – but there was a lot of classic stuff there as well. I was really, really impressed with that. I never thought he’d be able to do it."
Danny, Maldon

"Everyone was pushing forward, all wanting to grab hold of him. Never seen a gig like that before. So close, it’s amazing."
Rhianna, Surrey

"He’s a great performer and his energy was just really good. Never seen him before but it was great, great."
Ernesto, Crystal Palace

Yes, in the gap between Kanye's 2005 album, 'Late Registration' - the follow-up to his glittering 2004 debut, 'College Dropout' (LPs which between them spawned groundbreaking hip hop anthems like 'Thru the Wire', 'Diamonds are Sierra Leone', 'Gold Digger' and 'Jesus Walks') - the man's been busy.

As well as the impending clothing range, Pastelle, he's notched up a place on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world, and there's also talk of a TV show in production, which he's working on with 'Seinfeld' writer Larry Charles. But the biggest, and most hotly anticipated thing Kanye's been busy with is the new album 'Graduation'. Out next month it's the third instalment in the genre-pushing trilogy and features collaborations with Coldplay as well as samples from Michael Jackson and Daft Punk. And we want to hear it!

Eventually, the crowd starts chanting: "Kan-ye, Kan-ye, Kan-ye". Finally, our hero sprints onto the stage, wearing shades, box-fresh white trainers and a big smile. (Sadly not the 'shutter shades' he's recently been sporting - a massive replica of which are in the venue's lobby). What follows is a slow-mo take on his usual style: perhaps with a nod to the venue's day job, Kanye gives us a mellow, acoustic-y set, including a slow and soulful rendition of 'All Falls Down' (on which his backing singer is AMAZING); a slither of 'Thru the Wire', usually a dancefloor stomper but, tonight, a more subdued affair during which Kanye skits off-piste over the top; and a rap-heavy version of 'Diamonds are Forever', during which he makes us all raise our hands to flash our, um, rocks. We also - of course - get the excitingly futuristic new single, 'Stronger': out come the lasers as Kanye takes to the keyboards - and with just a flash of that catchy electro sample, the crowd goes mad. Kanye couldn't be happier - so happy, in fact, that he repeats the newie no less than three times, explaining, 'This is just my favourite song ever at the moment'. He grins like a fat kid in a sweet shop and you can't help wondering how much of his arrogance is, in fact, simply enthusiasm.

And then the glittering finale - quite literally, as silver confetti rains down from the roof - which more than makes up for our hour plus wait. It might feel like winter outside, but as we all dance around singing "I'm sky high!" along to the Curtis Mayfield-sampling 'Touch the Sky', it feels like Kanye has brought us a little bit of much needed sunshine.

Yep - Mr West is back, and he's about to sail through his 'Graduation' with flying colours. Bring it on!