In a world of never-ending parasocial relationships with our pop culture idols, it might be a mistake to think that you’ve effectively grown up with Tyler, the Creator. But given that you’re the same age (Tyler beat you to this world by a little over two months) and the way you felt immediately drawn to BASTARD and the early Odd Future tapes when you were an immature, overly-stoned 18 year-old, it’s a relationship worth examining. From the gate, it was obvious that OF tapped into a unique teen angst and aggression seasoned with coming of age post-9/11, post-housing crisis. But that was 2010. How is it that Tyler – OF’s figurehead and shock value aficionado – has held firm for over a decade? As you explored nearly two years ago in a review of Tyler’s IGOR tour, “growth” stands out as the keyword in his stalwart popularity.
Leading a stacked lineup that boasted Teezo Touchdown, Vince Staples, and Kali Uchis in front of an enthusiastic packed crowd at Worcester’s DCU Center on March 3rd, the show was a resounding hit with all in attendance. The arena’s floor was split into two halves with an alleyway down the center that connected two stages. The need for the dual stage setup became clear during Tyler’s set, but the opener’s split between the two areas.
Vince Staples delivered his setlist with his particular standout energy. Even without any other adornment around him–just a few swathes of red and blue lights–he remains as captivating a performer as any. He rapped a decent sampler pack from across his albums, going as far back as now-classics like “Señorita” and “Norf Norf” from 2015’s Summertime 06 and selections from 2017’s Big Fish Theory [Ed: our pick for third best album of the year at the time].
After Vince, Kali Uchis took to the mainstage to play songs from her albums Isolation and Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), flanked by backup dancers and set aglow with the backing of an LED wall. Her own dancing was reserved and minimal except for instrumental sections, most likely so she could more effectively maintain proper control over her impeccable vocals (she’s a pro, after all, and if you’re a huge music theory nerd interested in how impressive her vocal style is, then check out this Reddit thread). The point is, you don’t go to see Kali Uchis because you think she is really hot; that’s just a huge bonus on top of getting to hear one of the best vocalists in pop, whose profile only continues to rise.
Finally, it was time for Tyler, the Creator to take the stage. After falling in love with the energy of the IGOR tour, you were eager to see what he had in store this time around. And, folks, he did not disappoint.
Once the curtain dropped, the audience was treated to the facade of a beautifully ornate two story mansion, backed by images of lush foliage on the backing LED screen. Suddenly, through an elevating platform under the stage, a pastel green Rolls Royce Wraith started rising, with Tyler poking his head out of the sunroof as the silhouette of a driver sat in the front seat. That’s how to make an entrance. He kicked things off with a slew of tracks from his latest album Call Me If You Get Lost.
The real surprise came after about seven or eight songs, when a motorboat emerged from under the stage. Tyler hopped on to perform a song while the boat ferried him between the crowd all the way to the smaller stage, which by then had been done up to look like a beach shore. It’s this attention to production design that has helped signify Tyler’s ascension as a visionary artist. All the production elements–the Rolls Royce, the boat, the house, the pyrotechnics–enhance the experience of what would already be a great show if it was just Tyler rapping on a bear stage. This extra effort is what elevates a concert to an experience.
Before unleashing a medley of some of his earliest hits–we’re talking selections from BASTARD, GOBLIN, and the first two OF tapes–Tyler teased the audience in his typical fashion, claiming that he would keep saying that he was in Boston even though he knew the show was in “War-chest-er.” This led to him doing an acapella freestyle framed around the question, “Is it Boston or is it Worcester?”
After returning to the main stage (by boat, of course), Tyler led the audience through the home stretch with tracks from Flower Boy and IGOR, calling the latter his masterpiece (“dopest shit of all time” was his phrasing but either way, we agree).
Because Tyler has tracks with openers Teezo Touchdown and Kali Uchis, you were expecting these features to come to fruition in a live performance. However, when Tyler did play these songs, they opted to use pre-recorded vocals rather than have the artists return to the stage. It wasn’t a make-or-break let down by any means, but it does feel like an obvious oversight.
There will almost certainly be a time when Tyler, the Creator’s popularity wanes and the cement around his status as one of music’s most dynamic and visionary creators begins to crack and erode. Like when he’s super old, probably. But for now, he might not even be at his peak yet. And that’s more shocking than any of those old horrorcore joints off of BASTARD.
Check out our photo gallery from the show below.
