Andrew Qualley
Last updated on February 7th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
As I stepped into the Xcel Energy Center for Travis Scott’s “Circus Maximus” tour last night, I couldn’t help but feel the sense of excitement in the air. This was undoubtedly a highly anticipated show, and even today, I can still feel the energy that left all twenty thousand fans “Feining” (sic) for more.
When fans got past the black curtains and entered the arena, they were struck by an elaborate set design forcing them to pause and understand what they were truly looking at. The set looked like a giant rock or cave formation, reminding me of the “Temple Run” game. That design was one of many factors that made this show more than a concert and turned it into a visual spectacle.
The evening kicked off with three openers that were brought along for this leg of the tour: Babyface Ray, Skilla Baby, and Veeze. Each of them performed within 30 minutes of each other and kept the excitement and energy for Scott to take the stage.
Rapper Babyface Ray is known for his dedication to the Detroit rap scene, achieving mainstream success with the 2021 Billboard-charting EP Un****witable. Following this, he released two successful full-length albums in 2022, FACE and MOB. Collaborations with artists like Kash Doll, Moneybagg Yo, and EST Gee added to his growing influence. It was clear he was known by the pit of Scott fans who passionately recited Ray’s lyrics, igniting a vibrant energy that set up the raging that would follow.
Next was another Detroit rapper, Skilla Baby. Skilla’s presence demanded a new level of energy from the crowd. “Light this thing up!” he yelled as the beat dropped. He connected with the crowd differently, successfully uniting them in a near unheard-of pairing of “We Were Young” followed by a hard-hitting anthem from Chicago’s Chief Keef. It was quite the spectacle, revealing the duality of the crowd’s music taste.
Yet another Michigan rapper, Veeze, hit the stage to close out the opening acts and prepare the crowd for Scott. He brought the energy while performing a few of his hits like “GOMD,” “Safe 2,” and a handful of others from his recent Ganger album. After he exited the stage, the crowd’s restlessness was palpable as they awaited the main event.
Finally, Travis Scott took the stage amidst thunderous applause and immediately launched into a series of hits. What caught my attention was his repeated performance of the viral sensation “FE!N” – a song that had the crowd on their feet all night long. Scott is known for performing this song multiple times on this tour, and it gets his audience super excited.
Scott performed nearly 40 songs from his discography and a total of around 10 songs from Utopia. After 17 songs, he did an outfit change while “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” played, and then he finished out the night with 21 more songs like “SICKO MODE,” “Antidote,” “I KNOW?” and “Goosebumps.”
The anticipation surrounding this concert was well justified. Minnesota fans put their heart into singing along and dancing. If I were to write about every mosh pit that formed this review would be ten times the length. Scott himself acknowledged the incredible energy of the night by posting on his Instagram story, proclaiming that the St. Paul gig “might be one of the sickest shows” of the tour.
For me, this experience wasn’t just about the music; it was an immersive performance. One of the highlights was an interactive element that allowed multiple fans to ride on a giant moving head, traversing from one side of the arena to the other while Travis performed below them. It was a unique showcase of Scott’s commitment to making the “Circus Maximus” tour a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.
The evening exceeded all expectations; the set design, a sold-out arena, the interactive elements, and the pyrotechnics all combined to create a concert experience that will be etched into my memory for years to come. This was a grand performance that solidified Travis Scott’s status as a masterful entertainer.
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