Tyler the Creator at Credit Union 1 Arena
photo by James Richards IV

Tyler the Creator's 'IGOR' tour underway, hitting MSG this week (pics from Chicago)

“It’s crazy that this happened by just staying weird,” he said at one point in the set, surveying the full-looking house in Scotiabank Arena’s 300 level. “I appreciate it.”

But after his entrance, he remained frozen at centre stage as the buzzy bass synths of Igor’s Theme gave way to the shuffling drums of I Think. The audience sang loudly to the “I think I’m falling in love” refrain while forming mosh circles and bopping around in anticipation of going nuts when a beat kicked in.

[…] Tyler doesn’t have a classically dynamic singing voice, but he was adept at using his instantly recognizable guttural register effectively when it came time to sing heartfelt Igor and Flower Boy songs that are full of vocal effects in the studio versions. He didn’t seem to use any effects onstage, and sang and rapped with clarity – and without the aid of added vocal tracks.

The only instrument onstage was a white piano atop an old-school, revue-style riser, though it largely remained unplayed. Many of his pre-recorded tracks leaned into the nostalgic vibe, such as Puppet, which began with schmaltzy keys. A pink spotlight accentuated the lounge crooner effect before he upended it completely by unleashing a ferociously heart-racing flow. [Now Toronto]

Tyler, the Creator is supporting his great new album IGOR on a massive tour with GoldLink (who also has a very good new album) and Jaden Smith, and he’s about to land at NYC’s iconic Madison Square Garden this Thursday (9/12) (tickets). Ahead of that, we caught him in Chicago, and pictures of that show are in the gallery above. The Chicago show was followed by Toronto, which the review quoted above is from.

Videos and setlist from Chicago are below…

Tyler, the Creator at UIC Pavilion – 9/4/19 Setlist (via)
IGOR’S THEME
I THINK
A BOY IS A GUN*
NEW MAGIC WAND
PUPPET
EARFQUAKE
911
IFHY
GONE, GONE
OKRA
Yonkers
She
Who Dat Boy
Boredom
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
WHAT’S GOOD
See You Again
ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?

photos by James Richards IV