“Don’t” underestimate this Hip-hop newcomer: Bryson Tiller rocks first Atlanta show
Tiller used the smaller venue and limited stage effects to his advantage. NC Senior Brooke Shirer felt “the lights and smoke were used really effectively to create a really cool mood that didn’t feel overdone.”
February 23, 2016
Hip hop’s most notable newcomer, Bryson Tiller, performed in Atlanta for the first time on February 14, while conducting his sold-out T R A P S O U L tour. Thriving in an intimate performance setting, Tiller amazed the hundreds of attendees with simply a microphone and his signature look of a hoodie and baseball cap. Despite the novelty of Tiller’s current career, the concert’s overwhelmingly positive reception promises continued success for the new artist.
Brooke Shirer, NC senior, counted down the days until Tiller’s concert after purchasing her tickets minutes after they went on sale this past December. Shirer explained that Tiller “caught her and other fans’ interests through SoundCloud and other forms of social media, so when he released his full album his name was already out there and recognizable.”
Less than a year since Tiller’s breakout track, “Don’t,” gained major attention on SoundCloud, public praise for the artist’s unique blend of hip hop and R&B continues to grow. Tiller’s rapid ascension to artistic recognition generated conversation surrounding his music, while many fans remain amazed at the reality that the artist delivered Papa John’s pizzas for a living last year.
Throughout the concert, Tiller interacted with his audience, punctuating the tracks with various narratives about his journey over the past year. Fans roared as Tiller conveyed his surprise at transitioning from producing music in his living room to working with major artists. Tiller ended one story by exclaiming, “all of the sudden I was in Drake’s house!”
As Tiller ran through his entire T R A P S O U L album, the hundreds of fans present sang along with every word. The concert sold out within minutes when tickets went on sale in December.
Miyah Henderson, a Lassiter High School senior accompanying Shirer at the stage’s edge, expressed admiration for Tiller’s close interactions with the audience. Henderson felt the artist’s storytelling and ad-libbing throughout the show “made the performance even more meaningful and memorable.”
The venue, Center Stage Theater in Midtown Atlanta, provided a much smaller setting than the arenas where major hip hop artists typically perform. Many concert goers, such as Shirer and Henderson, took advantage of the general admission seating to crowd the stage and stand for over an hour in anticipation of Tiller.
For Shirer, standing 15 feet away from the artist throughout his simplistic, yet powerful performance, created a surprisingly personal experience. Describing the venue’s set-up, Shirer explained, “it felt really intimate, like he was singing to each one of us.”
If Tiller possessed any doubts regarding his fans’ dedication, concert goers’ thorough knowledge of his songs should dispel any worries. As Tiller ran through his T R A P S O U L album, attendees sang along to every word. When technical difficulties left Tiller without a microphone for part of “Been That Way,” the artist thanked his fans for singing along and helping him through the track.
While Tiller’s live vocals and electronic accompaniments drove the concert, an exceptional drummer added to certain tracks. Henderson described the voracious two-minute drum solo during “Rambo” as “insane [and] even better live.”
Ending the night with the song that started his career, Tiller left everything onstage in the final verses of “Don’t.” The concert’s overwhelming success suggests Tiller’s next Atlanta performance will sell out an arena, allowing even more fans to enjoy his unique tracks live.
The Chant’s grade: A
