Live Review: Tyler, The Creator - Brixton Academy
TYLER, THE CREATOR
BRIXTON ACADEMY
[18/09/19]
Tyler, The Creator brings his IGOR persona to life in a magnificent return to London which showcases a more complex man and performer than the one who was banned from the country 5 years ago, now armed with an emotionally diverse discography.
★★★★
There was a sharp feeling of electricity in the air last week at London’s Brixton Academy as Tyler, The Creator began his final performance of his three-night residency at the legendary theatre. So many factors have come into play to make this such a highly anticipated concert, Tyler himself was returning to the capital after an enforced absence by ex-Prime Minister and Foreign Sectary Theresa May on the basis of likelihood to cause violence and terrorism through Tyler’s old lyrics, something which Eminem whose output in his early years was equally if not more controversial, yet still performed multiple UK dates during May’s tenure, and the mere mention of her tonight receives a unified expletive chant in response from the 5,000 strong crowd. He’s also performing off the back of ‘IGOR’ which is not just Tyler’s strongest and most surprising album but one of the best records to be released this year.
IGOR is more than just an album and tour, its an entire persona for Tyler and he emerges completely in character, a full neon green suit matched with his now-iconic blonde bob hairpiece which is handily on sale on the merch stand, queue hundreds of lookalikes in the crowd emulating their idol. Screams fill the air as he walks onto the stage during ‘IGORS Theme’ an almost completely instrumental song if not for the occasional squeal of “IGORRRRR” and the crowd’s chants of “For real this time” as if in shock that their hero has made his return.
The performances are separated into unofficial acts, the first consisting of just Tyler isolated on the stage in front of draped curtains, its stripped back, intimate and the perfect backdrop to delve into his latest masterpiece. ‘I THINK’ is a purely euphoric moment of joy as echoes of the lovestruck chorus “I think I’ve fallen in love” flow around the theatre, it also allows the character of IGOR to really let loose, Tyler bounces across the stage at an incredible pace, contorting and flexing into freeform dance, fuelled by the crowd his energy and movement is ecstatic. He moves through the majority of IGOR’s big number at a relentless speed going through ‘A BOY IS A GUN’ and ‘NEW MAGIC WAND’ feverously. His voice is in a strong form if not slightly underused, especially with the new material he places a lot of the heavy work on the backing track and crowd, giving the feeling of an album playback rather than a concert. This meets its crescendo as the drapes fall and Tyler mounts a grand piano for a 90% led rendition of one of the years finest singles ‘EARFQUAKE’ the pure elation from the crowd however just about supports his enthusiasm for us to take control of the vocal duties minus his acapella outro.
As he announces a desire to go back and play some of the old hits the set transforms dramatically, Tyler really showcases his transition from the uncontrollable defiant rap youth to soulful introspective romantic as he rhymes with a powerful growl and anger through a blazing selection of OKRA, Tamale and Yonkers whilst integrating a lovelorn rendition of ‘GONE GONE’ laid out on a plinth as if his being painted like one of Jack’s French girls aboard the Titanic. Two completely and drastically contrasting styles both performed with an enormous amount of enthusiasm, Tyler hasn’t just embraced the changes in his life but he’s happy to reflect and both aspects are devoured by the famished crowd.
There are a few surprising moments of real tenderness scattered throughout most notably the selections from Tyler’s 2017 record ‘Flower Boy’, there’s a real moment of comradery and love between Tyler and his surprise guest London’s singer/songwriter Rex Orange County who together perform a beautiful and joyous rendition of ‘Boredom’ which is anything but. As the concert reaches its conclusion and reflecting on everything that bought Tyler back to the stage and the fact, we as a country won’t experience anything like this from him again soon its ‘See You Again’ which packs the emotional punch. No amount of Pyro, fast-flowing raps or costumes can disguise what Tyler means to the crowd or in fact how apparent Tyler enjoyed being back on stage in London was. Tonight, felt like one of those iconic Brixton nights that will live on in urban legend, a real ‘I was there’ moment for Hip Hop fans in the capital.
Setlist:
IGOR'S THEME
I THINK
A BOY IS A GUN*
NEW MAGIC WAND
PUPPET
EARFQUAKE
911
IFHY
GONE, GONE
OKRA
Tamale
Yonkers
She
Who Dat Boy
Boredom (with Rex Orange County)
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
WHAT'S GOOD
See You Again
ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?
