Run the Jewels and Cuz Lightyear At Stubb’s Amphitheater, ACL Aftershow, October 6, 2017
Review by Heather Forrester. Photos by Jim Chapin
Run the Jewels isn’t your typical hip-hop act. First off, if you enjoy their music and frequent their concerts you are considered family. Secondly, this band is ALL IN. Meaning they tour extensively and give it everything they have so their reach bleeds from the performance stage into Marvel comic book art, an Apple Music radio show and Adult Swim cartoons. Killer Mike even came out on stage early on the night of their ACL Aftershow at Stubb’s Amphitheater, performing with opener Cuz Lightyear. This is an act that goes the distance.
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CUZ LIGHTYEAR PHOTO GALLERY
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And these guys know it. Their intro to coming out on stage was Queen’s “We Are the Champions”. This leaves no doubt as to what we are about to experience. “Sorry I’m about to do this but we about to fuck shit up” was their first words spoken and from then on the entire set was a gigantic dance party. Not only was there dancing by the crowd but singing too. This was especially obvious on songs “Blockbuster Part 1” and “Stay Gold”, wherein the latter song everyone enjoyed spelling out “G-O-L-D, it’s gold G-O-L-D” over and over again, all the while tossing their hands in the air and rarely ever taking them down the entire night.
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RUN THE JEWELS PHOTO GALLERY
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Both Killer Mike and EL-P paid their respects to Austin, proclaiming Stubb’s one of the “best venues in the state” and Killer Mike remarking how “coming to Austin is like coming home”. Mike gives credit to Austin as being a big part of his career. Later in their set, after the crowd was extra hyped from hearing fan favorite “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck),” Killer Mike had people in the audience turn to each other, especially strangers, and say “I love you dog”. This was because “it’s a lonely world”, he explained, and “we need to remember to stay connected without devices.”
Their love wasn’t only extended to Austin and their fans but to others too, as they gave dedications throughout the night. A very poignant dedication was to Ralphie May, who had sadly just passed away that day and whom RTJ dedicated their final song before the encore, “Angel Duster”. It was a perfect closing song for the rap duo as “Angel Duster” covers all bases with the chorus giving hope for the living and hope for the dead. This is the exact gamut that Run the Jewels likes to run, all the way, all in, and acknowledging everyone.
Run the Jewels Setlist: Talk to Me, Legend Has It, Call Ticketron, Blockbuster Night Part 1, Oh My Darling Don’t Cry, 36 inch Chain, Stay Gold, Don’t Get Captured, Panther Like a Panther, Nobody Speak, Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck), Pew Pew Pew, Hey Kids, Sea Legs, A Report to the Shareholders, 2100, Angel Duster