André 3000 At All Points East Was Quite A Moment

André 3000‘s set at All Points East proved to be a real talking point.

CLASH ventured to the Victoria Park festival yesterday, with the sun shining down on East London. Early sets found Navy Blue impressive, Cymande inspired, and Nubya Garcia exuberant as crowds flocked to All Points East.

Loyle Carner headed up the bill, having assisted on curating a day of entertainment – one that ranged from iconic rap legend Nas, through to South London’s own ENNY and beyond.

One set proved to be a real talking point – André 3000.

As one-half of OutKast the rapper helped reconfigure American music, creating a singular catalogue in the process. Taking time out, he returned earlier this year with ‘New Blue Sun’ – a profoundly chilled, deeply spiritual excursion with his flute collection.

On its release, CLASH wrote:

Whether it’s the meanderings of an internet-savvy millionaire or the crucial work of a modern day ambient auteur is perhaps in the eye of the beholder. For now, we can turn on, tune in, and… relax.

Arriving at the site, it was clear from chatting to festival-goers that anticipation wasn’t quite in line with his current music. Yes, André 3000 is an iconic name in rap – but he’s not actually rapping right now.

The huge West Stage crowd was more than a little perturbed, then, but the freeform compositions happening onstage – wisps of cloud-like sound that floated well over the heads of many present.

In many ways it was a bold, uncompromising set, but it puzzled many in the crowd –

At one point, the American artist began barking, and then spoke in an entirely new language he invented himself –

To say it split opinion is perhaps an understatement:

The sheer breadth on the line-up delighted some, however –