Tyler, the Creator rocks Brooklyn with '30 Minutes Of CHROMAKOPIA' show
On a windy pier in Brooklyn staring into the Manhattan skyline, Tyler, the Creator performed songs from his new album, "CHROMAKOPIA," for one of the first times on Saturday. Earlier that morning, Tyler posted a link to tickets only a few hours before he was set to take the stage. The sudden notice did not fend off fans, as thousands fled to watch Tyler perform at Brooklyn Army Terminal.
For a 4 p.m. start time, the breezy weather was the perfect fall atmosphere for Tyler, who referred to the show as a part of his current "30 Minutes Of CHROMAKOPIA" string of shows. In the days leading up to the act, he had performed in Atlanta and Boston, playing songs from the new album only, rules he abided by here.
The crowd was full of Tyler fanatics of all ages and the dress code was anything thrifted, Golf Wang or "CHROMAKOPIA" green. Many fans already had merch from the new album, boasting their immense fandom — people in the surrounding areas connected about how they left work and dropped everything to be at the show. They knew it would be worth it.
After 30 minutes of waiting, the crowd started to roar as a small boat in the distance approached the pier. At the front of the boat, a masked Tyler stood still, donning a green army suit. The boat docked beside a separate boat along the pier, carrying two gigantic green crates with "CHROMAKOPIA" spelled across it. Hidden behind the crates, Tyler waited as the opening track "St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar)" blasted out of the speakers.
Suddenly, Tyler rose to the top of the shaking crates, bobbing up and down to the beat before breaking into the album's first verse. Known for his expressive dance moves, Tyler pranced around, viewing the crowd on one side and Manhattan on the other.
Following the opener, the riotous "Rah Tah Tah" proved this was one of the greatest Tyler crowds he's ever assembled. Near the barricade, the fans didn't care about losing their spot, jumping up and down, throwing their bodies in every direction.
The fourth track, "Darling, I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)" demonstrated to Tyler how loved the new album is. Taking moments to pause between verses, he couldn't believe the crowd knew every lyric. The R&B hit, fit to share with your parents, was a soulful moment of love between Tyler and his day-one East Coast fans.
After the first few songs, Tyler thanked all his fans for coming on such short notice. He discussed how proud he is of the album's reception and the growth he discovered while evolving from his past albums. As honest as he is in the album's lyrics, Tyler's heartfelt thank you to the crowd warmed the hearts before tearing them apart with heart-churning "Hey Jane."
Tyler lightened things up with "Sticky (feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne)," grooving to GloRilla and Sexxy Red's verses. The stage was maybe five by eight feet, but Tyler made the most of it. Bouncing from side to side as the waves crashed into the crates, he never lost his balance.
Arguably the most personal tracks on the album, "Take Your Mask Off (feat. Daniel Caesar & LaToiya Williams)" and "Like Him (feat. Lola Young)," translated magnificently to the live show, crushing the soul of the entire crowd. For most of the set, Tyler wore the mask featured on the album cover, but, halfway through "Take Your Mask Off (feat. Daniel Caesar & LaToiya Williams)," he took his covering off before entering the reflective final verse.
Many of the songs he performed were shortened, but for "Like Him (feat. Lola Young)," he played the whole thing, as it would be unnatural to cut his expression of sorrow short. Tyler couldn't have reached this level of vulnerability without literally and figuratively taking his mask off.
The album's closer, "I Hope You Find Your Way Home," was a beautifully fitting farewell for Tyler's set. He fluttered around the stage as the ending instrumentals played, staring at the crowd's admiration. "I Hope You Find Your Way Home" gave fans a fair finale to his wonderful set, allowing the crowd into Tyler's heart one last time.
As the closing track finished, Tyler climbed onto the boat he entered on, waving goodbye to the crowd as everyone shouted "CHROMAKOPIA" until he left our sight. It took a while to leave the barricade as most of the crowd paused to take in the moment following Tyler's departure — the concert high lingered with most attendees still reeling.
Even considering his past performances, this one stands out as the most unique. His creative output never fails to impress fans, and he left it all out on the album and during the show. Fans with tickets to "CHROMAKOPIA: The World Tour" should be thrilled to see him, as he's bringing his most evocative performance to the stage yet.
