André 3000, one half of the iconic hip-hop duo OutKast, is back to surprise us once again. After releasing his innovative “New Blue Sun” album, the artist is returning to the stage with a new tour that will cover more cities and larger venues across the United States. This time, the legendary musician will bring his experimental flute project to renowned theaters, giving fans the chance to experience his unique musical vision live.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, made it clear that André is continuing his journey into experimental sounds with “New Blue Sun”, an album described as an “87-minute sound world you’ll love getting lost in.” The tour, which kicks off in New Orleans on September 19, promises to extend that immersive experience through performances in cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Chicago, among others.
A musical project that defies expectations
André 3000 has consistently shown himself to be an artist in perpetual evolution. With “New Blue Sun”, he breaks away from hip-hop conventions, diving deep into the world of wind instruments. The flute takes center stage in this album, creating atmospheric, free-form improvisations that have been praised for their ability to captivate listeners. This marks a notable shift for André, whose legacy has largely been built on his work with OutKast, and now sees him exploring more abstract, spiritual, and avant-garde musical territories.
Fans will have the chance to see André perform in iconic venues such as L.A.’s Greek Theatre and Oakland’s Fox Theater, spaces known for their intimate and acoustically rich settings. These venues perfectly suit the music André is now presenting, a stark contrast to the large arenas he once performed in with OutKast. The deep, immersive sound of “New Blue Sun” will find a perfect home in these theaters.
André 3000 tour dates: a journey across the U.S.
The “New Blue Sun” tour will begin in New Orleans on September 19 and travel through a wide variety of cities across the United States. Here are the dates and venues where André and his ensemble will perform:
- September 19 – New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theater
- September 21 – Dallas, TX @ AT&T PAC – Winspear Opera House
- September 22 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Theater
- September 25 – Houston, TX @ The Hobby Center For The Performing Arts
- September 27 – Albuquerque, NM @ Kiva Auditorium
- September 28 – Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center
- October 1 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys By The Bay
- October 2 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
- October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Arlington Theatre
- October 5 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
- October 9 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
- October 11 – Vancouver, BC @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- October 14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- October 16 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Eccles Theater
- October 17 – Denver, CO @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
- October 19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Northrop
- October 21 – Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
- October 22 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
- October 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
- October 30 – Boston, MA @ Boch Center Wang Theatre
- November 1 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
- November 2 – Akron, OH @ Akron Civic Theatre
- November 8 – Richmond, VA @ Altria Theater
- November 9 – Washington, DC @ The Kennedy Center
- November 12 – Durham, NC @ DPAC
- November 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
In addition to these U.S. tour stops, André 3000 will also be performing at several prestigious music festivals, including the Toronto Jazz Fest and the Montréal Jazz Fest in Canada, before heading to Europe for performances at North Sea Jazz Fest in the Netherlands and La Gaité Lyrique in Paris in July.
Stellar musicians joining the tour
For this tour, André 3000 won’t be hitting the road alone. Joining him will be DJ and producer Carlos Niño, along with talented musicians Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks. Together, they will add even more layers to the live experience, mixing improvisation and rhythms that perfectly complement the ambient, flute-centered sound that André has created.
According to a Rolling Stone review of his New York City show last year, André was praised for “constructing an interactive, free-flowing concert experience.” This laid-back, experimental style seems to be a natural extension of his new musical direction, a sonic journey that encourages reflection and detachment from the chaos of modern life.
What’s next for André 3000?
André 3000’s evolution toward a more minimalist and organic sound with “New Blue Sun” has been a refreshing and well-received change, both by critics and fans. With every tour and release, André continues to prove that he is an artist constantly in search of new forms of expression.
The question on many fans’ minds now is: will André continue down this experimental path, or will we see an OutKast reunion in the future? While nothing is confirmed, his ability to surprise us has never failed. For now, his “New Blue Sun” tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for those seeking something different in live music.
