It is safe to say most people have been to a concert before. I have been to multiple concerts in my life, most being fairly mediocre. Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend Tyler, The Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost” performance when it stopped in Atlanta. 

While there was evidently an artist performing on stage, I do not think I just went to a Tyler, The Creator concert. I believe I fully experienced a Tyler, The Creator concert. 

Tyler, The Creator, or Tyler Gregory Okonowa, is a rapper from southern California and is most known for his Grammy-nominated music and fashion line “GOLF WANG.” He rose to fame by uploading his tracks to Tumblr at a young age.

In June 2021 he released “Call Me If You Get Lost,” his seventh studio album. Soon after, he announced his tour stopping at 34 American cities. He also announced he would be joined by openers Teezo Touchdown, Vince Staples, and Kali Uchis. 

As I arrived at Gas South Arena at 6:45 p.m. with the show start time of 7 p.m, I walked into the pit eager for the concert to begin. Immediately at 7 p.m. the lights shut off and the stage lights flared down as Teezo Touchdown and his stage partner “The Handyman” walked out to begin the concert. 

At first I was apprehensive about Touchdown’s act, as it seemed almost like a circus. Granted, I think not knowing anything about his music or anything about him could have played a role in my doubt. However, as the set continued, his high energy and the way he got the crowd involved made me enjoy his performance. 

Across the arena, the lights shut off and Vince Staples approached the stage. I know some of Staples’ music, but I was clearly not as avid of a listener compared to some people around me. 

Staples engaged the crowd, but not nearly as involved as Touchdown. The slower music of his shorter opening set was a much needed calm break from the first opener. Overall, Staples’ act was a 10/10 leaving me eager for more. 

Finally, the last opener, the one I looked forward to most, was Kali Uchis. Uchis is most known for her songs with Tyler, The Creator. She opened with one of my favorite songs of hers, “Dead To Me.” 

The best part of the act was when she played the song “Drugs N Hella Melodies” and appeared alongside Don Toliver. Uchis did a phenomenal job of preparing the crowd to see the main act and helped build the excitement for Creator as she ended with the duo’s popular song, “After The Storm.” 

About 20 minutes after Uchis exited the stage, the lights turned off. A flute began to play and a screen lit up with the opening video. In front of the screen an old turquoise car appeared and Tyler, The Creator walked out, and began to rap “SIR BAUDELAIRE.” As cliché as it seems, the only word to describe the build up and his entrance properly would be magical. 

One attribute I appreciated about the concert was how intimate it felt. In the 13,000 seat arena, excluding the hundreds of people on the floor, it felt almost as if I was being talked to in a small setting throughout the entire concert. He would talk to the crowd in between songs about his love for Atlanta, or his favorite things about the songs he was playing. 

Throughout the concert he utilized two stages and would ride a boat back and forth. It was a cool way to engage both sides of the arena, and I had the ability to move from where I was standing originally to get a better view toward the end.

I went to a Playboi Carti concert about three months ago, and he said “ATL I love you,” and that was it. It felt like Tyler, The Creator appreciated each and every one of us in the arena. It was nice to know the artist you paid hundreds to see was appreciative of you coming. 

Overall, the concert was spectacular. The openers gave their best performances with each song and helped build toward the excitement for Tyler, The Creator’s act. 

The performance by Tyler was outstanding from the lights to the setlist. After walking out of the arena, it did not feel like I left a concert. It felt as if I experienced the presence of four outstanding artists and their love for their supporters.