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Forget Disney World.
The top amusement park in 2018 is clearly Astroworld, the traveling playground for hip-hop fans and other thrill-seekers run by blistering-hot rapper Travis Scott.
A capacity crowd of some 15,000 exuberant young fans turned out to experience Scott’s Astroworld: Wish You Were Here Tour on Dec. 16 at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
And what an experience it was, as the Houston native supported his chart-topping third full-length studio album, “Astroworld,” with a highly energetic set that ran approximately 80 minutes. He showed both stamina and athleticism as he worked the stage, leaping about in time to the music, and his high enthusiasm seemed to charge the crowd, which maintained a pretty impressive mosh pit on the arena floor for much of the concert.
The opening of @trvisxx concert in beautiful Oakland pic.twitter.com/m0WfwH7gOo
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
Here's how @trvisxx starts show at @oraclearena pic.twitter.com/b9OIB080rX
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
Also, the production was nothing short of epic, complete with two stages placed at opposite ends of the arena floor as well as a gorgeous, colorful light display. Yet, what really set this show apart were the “rides.”
The first one came at the start of the set, as Scott was strapped onto a chair on a loop-the-loop style ride. As he rapped, he was carried in the chair in a 360-degree overhead loop — meaning that he was completely upside down for a portion of the ride. He then exited the chair and a few other people were brought up onstage to try the same ride.
Want a concert that loops the loop? @trvisxx @oraclearena pic.twitter.com/LV3LARBqdI
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
. @trvisXX moves to main stage at @OracleArena in beautiful Oakland pic.twitter.com/b3mKUdx9by
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
That was pretty cool, but the other ride was even better. You’ve probably heard of a show being compared to a roller coaster ride? How about a concert that delivers an actual roller coaster ride?
Toward the end of the amusement-park-themed production, Scott actually boards a roller coaster car and begins to sail along (fairly slowly) on an overhead track between the two stages, while thousands of hip-hop fans look skyward at their hero.
So, remember that time that @trvisxx rode a roller coaster in the middle of @oraclearena?!?! pic.twitter.com/1A7th4ADrW
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
It’s the signature moment of the show and one that these fans will likely remember for quite some time.
Astroworld is a reference to Six Flags AstroWorld, an amusement park in Scott’s hometown of Houston that closed down in 2005. But the name also makes one think of Houston’s famed attraction — the Astrodome — as well as baseball’s Houston Astros. The name also links the show to the city’s space program, a connection that was only strengthened by the use of some pretty spacey imagery in the concert, including a giant inflatable astronaut.
More @trvisXX in concert pic.twitter.com/DNu3bALD6g
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
Scott — who among other things is Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend and may currently be at odds with Kanye West — sounded fairly good on the microphone, although rapping has never been his strongest suit. Of course, it’s hard to tell the exact strength of his vocals, given how much Auto-Tune he uses (Nicki Minaj has dubbed him the “Auto-Tune man”)
Still, Scott has plenty of other strengths, such as his ability to entertain and captivate a crowd with a mix of sheer energy, charisma and volume.
It was an extremely loud show, with the bass cranked up to such a ridiculous level that it seemed to jostle one’s internal organs. It was almost like one pair of earplugs was not enough.
Overall, this sold-out concert was further proof that Scott — who last appeared in Oakland as part of the Rolling Loud festival in September — now ranks as one of the biggest music stars on the planet.
And speaking of stars. There was no word on whether Jenner — who is the mother of Scott’s child Stormi Webster — was at the show as well.
It's like it's full of stars. @trvisXX concert in Oakland pic.twitter.com/kIkywaO2Gm
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) December 17, 2018
