Pretty Fun but Kinda Weird? Tyler, The Creator at Showbox Sodo

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Courtesy of Tyler, The Creator

I don’t want to be a concert complainer. I like to think that I’m usually not, but I guess over the years as I’ve gone to more and more shows I’ve become more critical of concert experiences and what I’m seeing. I guess this sounds like I’m about to bash this show to shreds, but I’m really not. Despite this disclaimer, I really did enjoy my time seeing Tyler, The Creator. However, I do have to admit something felt a little off.

Ok, so anyways here’s a quick whiny complaint. I think the worst part that didn’t make for a great start was waiting in line for 45 minutes in 32-degree temperature even though doors were open. Am I supposed to get there later? I don’t know how big shows like this really work. My entertainment was counting the Thrasher sweatshirts (there were nine if you were wondering). Luckily, we survived the cold, and a true survival essential was paying a cashier $1 to use a restaurant bathroom (thanks, Brianna you were a real homie). Despite the minor struggle, by the time we got inside we were just as excited as we had been before.

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Photo by Julia Schwab

The night started with an Odd Future original, Taco who has been featured on Odd Future releases over the years and is generally just part of the squad. To get the crowd hyped he performed a DJ set for a little under an hour. His set was actually really fun, and had me stoked for Tyler to come on stage. After a while it felt a little drawn out, but I still think it was a great way to open this show.

Shortly after, Tyler, The Creator came on, given that the show only had two performers. He opened with “Where This Flower Blooms” off Flower Boy (2017) and the crowd was immediately in it. However, through the entirety of the show the crowd was kind of a huge mess. Not in the way that people were moshing or hella feelin’ it—more in the way that masses of people were falling over because of the classic push to the front and seas of cell phones recording. It was a little over the top, and it made for a weird atmosphere that I can’t really put my finger on. Although Flower Boy is an incredible release, I do think that it has changed the feel of Tyler’s shows and perhaps the authenticity of his style.

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Photo by Julia Schwab

Regardless, Tyler did jump into playing a pretty good set. His addition of some old material was definitely fun, and the crowd enjoyed these songs as well. Before playing a favorite of mine, “IFHY”, he asked the crowd if they were ready to hear something old. After a guy in the front lost his s**t, Tyler responded with, “yeah you right, this flower boy sh*t hella gay,” which was pretty entertaining considering Flower Boy has gotten a lot of attention for Tyler referencing being queer.

Other old songs Tyler played include “She” and “Deathcamp”. Besides this, he mostly played tracks off Flower Boy, including some of my favorites “Boredom,” “Garden Shed,” and “911.” Tyler closed with the stand out track on Flower Boy, “See You Again,” which includes a dreamy chorus by Kali Uchis that the crowd sang in unison. Tyler seemed into his performance, but at the same time I felt something missing that, again, I can’t seem to narrow down. I would have liked to hear more banter from him because it shows his personality and vibe. Occasionally he would call the crowd something like “stupid motherf**kers” which I guess was entertaining enough.

The show ended around 10:45 PM which was surprisingly early with no encore. Instead, the crowd attempted to disperse and didn’t really push for an encore — something else I found a bit odd. Regardless of the show not being exactly what I expected, by the end of the night I was happy I went and generally had a good time. I still was able to sing along to songs I love and see an artist I love. I guess that’s what really matters at a show when it comes down to it.

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JULIA SCHWAB | Papa John Ate my Son | KXSU Music Reporter

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