The albums mentioned in this article contain explicit content.
Tyler, The Creator performed an electrifying show at the Moda Center with openers Paris Texas (Louie Pastel and Felix) and Lil Yachty (Miles Parks McCollom) on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Since his first album release “Bastard” in 2009, Tyler has followed a release schedule of every two years. This streak was broken as he ended 2023 without a new release.
Fans were left understandably confused. That was until he teased a seventh album with “St. Chroma” on Oct. 16 and “Noid” followed on Oct. 21.
Finally, the long-awaited “CHROMAKOPIA” by Tyler, The Creator was released Oct. 28, 2024. He then went on tour for the studio album and arrived in Portland towards the end of February.
The concert began with the opening song of the album, “St. Chroma” along with strobing neon green lights and fog machines as the set around Tyler started to rise. The vibrancy ramped up the crowd in excitement for the rest of the night.
The energy in the stadium seemed to be radiating from Tyler himself. The effects of the set were just a bonus compared to his high spirits, which were being bolstered by screaming from his fans.
A major staple of “CHROMAKOPIA” has been the cargo container adorned with “CHROMAKOPIA” in a font including two horns on both sides of the word.
The tour website has a section for the “CHROMAKOPIA Trucking Company,” which features a map following where the truck has been since the start of the tour. Additionally, the container was featured as the building for merchandise outside of the Moda Center.
The font is representative of Tyler’s hairstyle for his new alter-ego, “St. Chroma.” This character is rumored to be a persona in reference to “The Phantom Tollbooth” written by Norton Juster.
Tyler has created many alter egos for each previous stage of his life. To his audience, this represents different versions of a person as they progress through their journey.
His character articulated to his audience that it is normal to express themselves in different ways as they grow. It’s important to remain confident in one’s personality regardless of physical or situational changes.
Tyler’s version of “St. Chroma” entered the stage wearing a bright emerald green suit with brown lace boots. He had a white rhinestone tie atop a white button down. The suit jacket itself contained yellow stripe detailing on the sleeves, as well as yellow tassels and gold metal accents throughout.
Tyler performed multiple songs on an elevated overpass that lowered stairs to his starting stage. The crowd members in the pit were showered with money during his performance of “Sticky (feat. Glorilla, Sexxy Red, & Lil Wayne).”
There he continued to play many crowd favorites off his new album such as “Take Your Mask Off (feat. Daniel Caesar & LaToiya Williams)”
In past releases, Tyler has been showing off and presenting himself very exuberantly. Whereas in “CHROMAKOPIA,” he is working through industry criticism and self exploration.
“Take Your Mask Off” dives into identity and vulnerability, which are two very sensitive but important aspects of personal reflection, growth, and self-assurance. He is reaching out to anyone who is struggling through personal roadblocks and encouraging the listener to “take that mask off and tell them the truth.”
He raps, “I hope you find yourself, I hope you take your mask off.”
Moving through the set, he went off the catwalk to a small living room set.
In order to create the atmosphere where he is switching through past releases, a vintage record player centered the room in the house-like second stage.
After sifting through a box full of records, Tyler re-introduced an old album that he would be performing next. The album he selected showed the audience from which release the song would be from. He set the record on the turntable and played countless popular tracks.
Tyler played songs from all eight of his studio albums. Additionally, he freestyled to Kendrick Lamar’s “Hey Now.”
The albums that generated the largest positive reactions were “Goblin” (2011), “Cherry Bomb” (2015), “IGOR” (2019).
He began the record shift with “IGOR” playing “IGOR’S THEME” where he exited shortly after, leaving everyone in anticipation.
The song continued on as the crowd roared for Tyler to return to the stage.
He re-emerged with neither the green suit nor the mask.
The stadium erupted into the next song, “EARFQUAKE” while pink lights flashed, following the theme of the “IGOR” album cover.
He consistently had spunky interactions with his audience, responding to chants, and he even ate a donut while rapping.
Tyler’s constant movement and dance moves on stage have a huge impact on the way the crowd views the performance. It felt like he was inviting the audience to let go and live in the moment.
He re-focused on “CHROMAKOPIA” towards the end of the concert and made his way back to the freight container, singing “Like Him (feat. Lola Young).”
As the night came to a close, Tyler played many more hit songs, including “See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis),” which is his second most popular song on Spotify.
Reciprocating the liveliness of the evening, Tyler told the audience that Portland had been the best show of the tour so far.
He emphasized the power in his music by utilizing pyrotechnics and fireworks throughout the concert. The show Tyler put on for Portland was one to remember. His passion and consistent vivacity while performing for his audience made a powerful impression on the stadium.
Tyler and the crowd sang “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” in unison as the music faded out and the container from the start of the night slowly closed around him.
This concert was incredibly moving and important to his career as an artist. The mask represents hiding, vulnerability, and working to find the ability to express oneself. Through performing these new tracks, Tyler demonstrated how each person can break through individual hurdles and remove their mask.
He began his world tour on Feb. 4, 2025 in Saint Paul, Minnesota and is expected to conclude on Sept. 20 in Quezon City in the Philippines.
