@feliciathegoat
From an array of all-green suits to blonde bowl-cut wigs, crowds of brightly adorned young adults showed out in droves outside of Capital One Arena April 1. As hundreds gathered in these decked-out costumes, a shared sense of coordination, camaraderie and anticipation filled the streets of Penn Quarter-Chinatown as they waited for none other than Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia: The World Tour.”
Last year, Tyler Okonma — known as Tyler, the Creator — broke through to new commercial and personal heights on his eighth studio album, “CHROMAKOPIA,” which remained atop the Billboard 200 chart for three weeks straight. Amid the successes of “CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler initiated a series of pop-up shows in cities across the country, such as Boston, Mass., where he performed on the roof of a Converse store for thirty minutes. During a celebration of Tyler’s 2024 run in his annual Los Angeles, Calif., music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, he showed off a high-energy performance of his latest LP in the kickoff to 2025’s “Chromakopia: The World Tour.”
In an October announcement, Tyler launched his worldwide tour, which was set to hit cities across the United States, Europe and Oceania. Months after this initial launch, the April 1 show in Washington, D.C., concluded the first leg of the tour and Tyler’s only appearance in the District since 2022’s Something in the Water Festival performance, marking a moment of cultural significance for the “Chromakopia” tour and D.C. as a whole.
The D.C. stop opened with electrifying performances from Los Angeles-based rap duo Paris Texas and Atlanta-based rapper Lil Yachty. Paris Texas’s incorporation of audience participation into their set ignited cheers throughout the crowd. Lil Yachty’s subsequent set saw him running through his entire catalogue, spanning such classic records from the mid-2010s as “Broccoli” with D.R.A.M. and “One Night” to more melodic performances such as “WE SAW THE SUN!” from 2023’s “Let’s Start Here.” In one key part of Yachty’s set, he held a moment of silence for the late Chicago rapper Juice Wrld before playing 2018’s “Yacht Club.” However, during this moment, a fan called on the artist to play “drive ME Crazy.” Yachty, and his fairly funny reaction that has now amassed many views on Instagram, singled the heckler out as the entire arena booed.
After the two openers, Tyler’s sudden appearance atop a series of green cargo containers with a full green and black suit and an accompanying mask, marching in place to “CHROMAKOPIA” opening track “St. Chroma,” drew a cacophony of cheers. Tyler’s performance saw him rapping along to nearly every word of the lyrically challenging song, while a backdrop of fireworks launched in tandem with the booming synths of the track’s second half. The following “Rah Tah Tah” also showcased a visceral performance, with the general admission pit crowd bouncing around to the beat of the lyrics and a series of blinding green lights.
As Tyler continued his set, “CHROMAKOPIA” single “Noid” transitioned into “Sticky,” which Tyler sang from an overhead bridge connecting the main stage to a more intimate b-stage. Explosions of green fireworks on the main stage framed Tyler as he threw dollar bills into the crowd and later removed his mask — aptly so — during “Take Your Mask Off,” sending the audience into a frenzy.
After approaching the b-stage, which provided a more up-close-and-personal setting, Tyler changed out of his “CHROMAKOPIA” persona and outfit and proceeded to examine a series of vinyls, of which he first removed 2019’s “IGOR.” In this segment of the concert, Tyler ran through such songs as “I THINK” and “EARFQUAKE” before pulling out other vinyls ranging from 2011’s “Goblin” and 2013’s “Wolf.” As Tyler segued into different eras of his career, the visual representation of his nuanced musical talent showed off his range and development.
As 2017’s “Who Dat Boy” catapulted Tyler back on the bridge and the general admission audience into mosh pits, the concert concluded with a run of classic hit “See You Again,” and a well-known favorite of Tyler’s, “NEW MAGIC WAND” — highlights of the performance as a whole. After the crowd reached its peak energy with a bombastic moment from the “IGOR” track, Tyler concluded with “Balloon” and “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” in a moment that celebrated his accomplishments from the past year and the conclusion of the first leg of this tour.
Overall, from the early openers to Tyler’s performance itself, the “Chromakopia” tour proves to be an early contender for one of the best live concerts of the year and cements Tyler as one of the best live performers of our age.