Throughout the year, artists from all around the world come to Pittsburgh to perform in front of thousands of dedicated fans, including Drake, Pink Floyd, Zach Bryan and Tyler, the Creator. Tyler Okonma, aka Tyler, the Creator, rose to fame in the early 2010s as a founding member of the California-based rap group Odd Future, alongside Earl Sweatshirt and Frank Ocean. After the group transitioned to solo careers, many found success, with Okanma’s being the most notable.
With successful album releases such as “Cherry Bomb,” “Flower Boy,” “Igor,” and last October he added to his discography with the release of “Chromakopia,” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 299,500 albums in its first week.
Following its release, the Chromakopia Tour was announced, the Pittsburgh date was set and tickets were put on sale. With a sold-out venue on Friday, March 28, PPG Paints Arena was the place to be for every Tyler, the Creator fan in Pittsburgh.
Sophomore Hayden Francis commented on his experience at the concert: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was so close to him, and it was cool to be able to go back and forth between the stages.”
Before Tyler made his appearance for the night, he had two openers for the tour, one of them being the group “Paris Texas,” who played some songs off their discography with fantastic crowd control through their whole set. Lil Yachty followed, who during, his energy-filled set, played songs like “Cold Sunday” and “Yacht Club” in honor of Juice WRLD.
“Their performances were 10/10. I really enjoyed it, and the energy both openers brought, especially to see such a big artist like Yachty,” says Francis.
Then, the man of the hour entered the stage with chants of “Chromakopia” echoing through the packed arena. Tyler, the Creator played a selection of hit songs like “Sticky,” “Noid,” “St. Chroma” and “Judge Judy.” The sets featured the famous Chromakopia crate stage that was used on flat-bed trucks to promote the album before its release and that was featured in music videos. Tyler, the Creator traveled across a platform to another stage, played past albums on vinyl for the show’s aesthetic and used props and symbolic items from old albums like his bike from “Call Me If You Get Lost.” On the second stage, he performed songs such as “She,” “Tron Cat,” “Wolf” and “Are We Still Friends.”
Sophomore Melia Stockdale also attended the concert and has several memorable moments: “Getting to hear ‘DOGTOOTH’ performed live was so amazing; it’s a moment I will never forget.”
After interacting with fans during his time on the second stage, Tyler made his way back to the crate stage to conclude with songs “New Magic Wand,” “See You Again,” “Balloon” and “Like Him.”
In all, the show was considered by many to be a 10/10. Pittsburgh fans hope he decides to come and perform again.
