Missy Elliott, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, Timbaland
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
July 4, 2024
Canadian Beats Passport
All Photo Credit: Alexis Smith with crowdMGMT / Live Nation
On Thursday, Rogers Arena saw an influx of millennials gathering for Missy Elliott‘s Out Of This World Tour kick-off date. The evening saw a stellar lineup featuring Timbaland, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. It’s hard to imagine but the Out Of This World – The Missy Elliott Experience is Missy’s first ever headlining tour despite her 3-decades-long career.
Timbaland kicked off the evening, and it was like stepping into a time machine of pure beats and rhythm. Dressed in a beige outfit with glowing blue lines tracing his sleeveless coat, he played all his classic hits including his collaborations/productions with Jay-Z & Beyonce, Nelly Furtado or Justin Timberlake, reminding everyone why he’s a music legend. The energy was high right from the start, as he got everyone on their feet, which is no easy feat being the first of three openers.
Ciara took the baton next, adorned with a regal crown, a sparkly top, and oversized denim pants—though she did get her foot stuck in them at one point. She owned the stage with her killer dance moves and powerhouse vocals. With 8 dancers and a huge LED ramp, her performance was visually stunning. Songs like “Level Up” and “1, 2 Step” had everyone dancing and singing along. She showed that she is not just a singer; she’s a true performer. The audience loved every second of it.
Busta Rhymes then brought his explosive energy to the stage, accompanied by his usual hype man Spliff Star, proving why he’s hailed as one of hip-hop’s greatest performers. Missy Elliott and Busta have been inseparable since he recorded the intro and outro voice on her canonical debut album, 1997’s “Supa Dupa Fly,” so it made total sense to have him take part of this tour. His rapid-fire delivery and larger-than-life stage presence were amazing to see live and his crowd work was incredible. With a minimalist set featuring just a DJ and a massive LED screen, Busta’s performance was all about the music. As he put it after a few lighting hiccups, “we don’t use special effects, because we are the special effects.” The whole place went wild with tracks like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” and “Break Ya Neck.” Busta’s connection with the audience was unreal, making everyone feel like they were part of the show.
When the lights dimmed for Missy Elliott, the anticipation was through the roof. Starting at 9:50 pm, Missy’s 75-minute set was short but packed with hits like “Get Your Freak On,” “One minute Man,” “Hot Boyz.” The show began with her MC and four giant floating Missy heads on screen representing different eras of her career. She made a dramatic entrance with “Throw It Back,” dressed as a futuristic astronaut in a spaceship surrounded by heavy fog, taking full advantage of the LED screen that spanned the entire stage. With all the amazing visuals and choreography throughout the show, it was like watching a live music video extravaganza.
Missy’s performance was a voyage through space, time, and her illustrious career, pulling songs from her six platinum albums. The show featured over 20 dancers, pyro, fireworks, a floating stage, air cannons, set changes, moving platforms, blinking wristbands, lasers—need I add more? There was never a dull moment! She had several interludes for set and costume changes, upgrading from her signature tracksuits to futuristic, graffitied, fancy tracksuits that were a nod to the aesthetics of her music videos. During “Work It,” she even left the stage to walk around the arena floor amongst the audience. Each track was met with cheers, and the crowd was on their feet the whole time.
Towards the end, Missy shared her gratitude for the support she’s received over almost 30 years, making it clear she doesn’t take it for granted. To cap off the night, she brought back Timbaland for “Up Jumps da Boogie,” Ciara for “Lose Control”, and Busta Rhymes separately and then together for a grand finale. The chemistry and respect among them were clear, and it made the night even more special.
Speaking with AP about the tour, Missy said, “I want people to travel to those moments, those (music) videos, I want you to relive it on stage. It is most definitely a lot of good, good stuff. Expensive stuff!”. It certainly felt like it! Missy Elliott’s show wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience and celebration of her incredible impact on music and culture. Vancouver was lucky to be the first city to witness it. It was an unforgettable night of top-tier entertainment. Each artist brought their A-game, and together they delivered a show that should be on everyone’s must-see list. It certainly was my favourite show this year. Missy Elliott showed once again why she’s a true icon, making her first headline tour something truly out of this world.
If you’re in the market for a show with top-notch production and incredible energy, look no further! Missy Elliott & co. will be on tour in North America until the end of August. More info on her website.