The Roseland really has a way of aging you.
Luckily, in preparation for the Bryson Tiller show (and the long-ass line I would likely be caught in), I bought a much-needed eighth of bud over the weekend—just $30 at Brothers Cannabis! What a time to be alive.
And I’m not just referring to the kick-ass legal reefer prices. It’s a wonderful time to be a music-lover, creator, a consumer of dope media. Thanks to technology, I can easily bask in my introversion while also connecting with an infinite amount of human beings across the planet who share the same passions. And that’s where you come in, faithful reader. When Mac Smiff asked me to start my own editorial series for WOHM, I knew it had to focus on three things for sure: live music, bud, and PNW style. And because I know these topics will all intersect in the most unorganized of ways, Concert Buds will be a diary of sorts.
Here goes nothing!
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For two hours we waited in the cold for the chance to get an up-close spot on the floor. The Roseland’s all-ages floor is—quite literally—a hot mess. While I did know this before arriving yesterday, I was willing to brave the 18-year-olds and fangirls in order to get a good view. And we did snag a decent spot: only a few densely packed bodies away from the left side of the stage. Regrettably, my fun parts were pressed up against strangers at the front and the back, left and right. Dancing freely was out of the question.
Once THEY started, the pushing, squishing, and moshing did as well. Consequently, my fresh Adidas Superstar highs got stepped on twice in 5 minutes, and that’s when I called time of death on the entire floor operation, and took my 25+ crew to the balcony. I feel like the Roseland is where a lot of teens see their first concert (which is adorable), and it’s definitely where a lot of teenage boys like to use hip-hop shows as an excuse to come get rowdy. Apparently THEY don’t want you to wear fresh Adidas to the Bryson Tiller show.
So, we left the underage folk to hold it down on the floor, and ended up snagging some damn good SRO spots off to the side. Best decision of my life. There was actually space to move and dance! The DJ was legit, too, and played exactly what we needed to hear (mainly “Jumpman”). Two drinks later and I was ready for Tiller.
Homeboy actually started the show on time, if not a few minutes early! What a breath of fresh air! Just as I’d hoped (and prayed), Tiller opened the show with the album’s “Intro (Difference)” followed by the seamless transition into “Let Em Know” that we’re all so obsessed with.
Portland knew every word of “TRAPSOUL,” and gave the singer a high-energy kick-off to his three-month leg. The crowd’s response was truly incredible to see, especially from the balcony; it even had me forgetting the disdain I previously felt for my fellow concert-goers on the floor. The relatively young audience chanted the lyrics with cult-ish enthusiasm throughout the entirety of Tiller’s set, exemplifying how the progressiveness of his lyrics speak to a new generation of young men, and especially women.
Being at the “TRAPSOUL” show kinda felt like I stepped inside his Instagram feed for a couple hours. Tiller is something of an enigma. It was difficult to fully see him through the heavy use of fog, but the singer played the light like a pro.
The singer/rapper kept it casual in gray scale neutrals, his signature black Nike swoosh hat and bright white sneakers. That’s my boy ;). Tiller, who was accompanied by a live drummer, barely even needed to sing — the audience had his back.
Oh, but he did sing. And much better than I had anticipated! For some reason when I first started listening to “TRAPSOUL” I assumed that a fair amount of Tiller’s tonality came from digital effects. But you know what they say about assuming. Nope, his voice really just sounds like that. Bryson Tiller is more than just a dope lyricist with sick beats and gorgeous melodies; that vocal was velvety, and CLEAN AF. His rap joints like “502 Come Up” were solid, too. He’s a beast.
A few notes for The Roseland, to Whom it May Concern:
– The “cash-only” bar…is this necessary?
– And you can’t make doubles either? Is THIS necessary?
– The crowd was so densely, unnecessarily packed, which is why it swayed from side to side and continued to knock people over. If someone on stage would just tell the audience to take two big steps back, maybe we could all save ourselves from watching hundreds of teenagers struggle and squirm like a bunch of disorderly insects…
– I feel that the security staff here is often the cause of further confusion and disorganization. Please help them help you help us.
This was my first time being a witness to a hot new artist’s concert tour debut, and I’m so glad that Portland showed love for Tiller’s first “TRAPSOUL” date. Overall, the show was phenomenal. Except for, of course, the grueling process of waiting and shoving that I endured beforehand. Lesson learned: always go for the 21+ balcony seating or standing room. The view is virtually just as good, and you can retain some of your humanity.
You can check out a whole slew of vids I took from the concert on my Youtube channel.
Until next time, buds.
~Jenni Moore