Walking around the vicinity of Manila’s Araneta Coliseum, it was fairly easy to spot the ones attending the first night of Tyler, the Creator‘s CHROMAKOPIA world tour. Color-coordinated motifs inspired by his albums were styled accordingly, landing on everything from Ivy Style to fuzzy pieces and suits. It was evident that this was more than just a rap show for the crowd; on top of attending his first ever show in the Philippines, it was also their way of paying homage to one of the most influential artists of the modern age. Moreover, it was a visual reminder of Tyler’s creative evolution, and that putting him in a box is near impossible.

The show kicked off with openers Paris Texas, who, unsurprisingly, was met with the same fiery energy they were giving out. The duo performed a mix of tracks across several releases, including “girls like drugs,” “PANIC!!!” and “FORCE OF HABIT,” providing long-time and newer listeners a brand new experience. Despite the high-energy set, Paris Texas was just the beginning of what would be a high-octane night.

Finally, the house lights dim, the LED screen reads out the mottos of DON’T TAP THE GLASS, and the first few seconds of “Big Poe” ring through the entire coliseum. Sporting an all-yellow outfit from the GOLF le FLEUR* PETALERS hat to the buttoned leather jacket and matching pants, Tyler’s immediately commanded the stage. He went on to his rising hit “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE,” shifting the energy from brash to alluring.

The first time Tyler addresses the sold-out coliseum, the first thing that comes out of him is an outpouring of gratitude. He makes it known that even he’s in disbelief over how this shared moment began with him making music in his bedroom. Although it took him a while, he says, he’s finally standing in Manila. The crowd couldn’t be more ecstatic.

He dove into CHROMAKOPIA with “St. Chroma,” Rah Tah Tah,” “Noid,” “Darling, I” and “Sticky,” delivering a continuous flow of adrenaline before calming it down with “Take Your Mask Off.” From here, Tyler gives his older fans something to chew on: IGOR tracks such as the iconic “EARFQUAKE” and “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?,” GOBLIN and WOLF classics like “She,” “Tamale” and “IFHY” and the CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST cuts “LUMBERJACK,” “DOGTOOTH,” “WUSYANAME” and “SORRY NOT SORRY.” He tasked the crowd to perform the songs for him, and Manila was up to challenge. Mosh pits on the side were also evoked — a natural side effect of the electricity running through the crowd.

 

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A shortened version of the A$AP Rocky-assisted Flower Boy entry “Who Dat Boy” reinvigorated the crowd, only to be wrapped in the emotional weight of “Like Him.” Manila dove headfirst into the heaviness of the CHROMAKOPIA track, singing along to its haunting narrative. If it wasn’t obvious enough already, “Like Him” and the rest of his career-spanning setlist was hard proof of Tyler’s artistry, progressing from the shock value of his earlier catalog to the vulnerability of his work today.

He closed it out with the fan-favorite “See You Again” — another one the Manila crowd performed flawlessly — “NEW MAGIC WAND” and, finally, “I Hope You Find Your Way Home.” Against a blue spotlight, Tyler simmered the crowd down with an almost hopeful note, bowing in gratitude and walking off the stage before reappearing for an encore of “Sugar On My Tongue.” Playing a back-and-forth with the crowd for one final acapella, both Tyler and the crowed relished in this final exchange of energy, conjuring a collective euphoric atmosphere as the night ended.

Earlier in the show, Tyler teased the Manila crowd about feeling special as the final city of his months-long tour. We would be lying if we didn’t agree. If he ever sticks to his word of eventually taking a break, it would be a well-deserved one. We’re just eternally grateful he finally stopped by.