BROCKHAMPTON delivers a high energy ‘I'll Be There’ performance
Ameer? Not here. The “best boyband since One Direction” opened their “I’ll Be There” Houston tour stop by performing some songs from “iridescence,” their first full album without formerly prominent member Ameer Vann. Despite the dismissal of one of BROCKHAMPTON’s main rappers, the Oct. 7 performance of this new album retained the cathartically aggressive yet catchy energy of their earlier performances.
Kevin Abstract’s and Bearface’s smooth vocals seemed to melt everyone in the crowd with “TONYA” – until the audio suddenly cut off. During the first few songs, there were technical difficulties leaving the audience confused.
“Tonight sucked im really sorry,” Kevin Abstract said in a later tweet.
However, the audio concerns quickly dissipated after a short break to fix the speakers, and the concert picked back up. The visuals meshed perfectly with the eclectic vocals. Going along with the “iridescence” album cover, the screen projected “VIVID” thermal-colored videos along with a vibrant lightshow. Most notable was the footage of a rollercoaster ride, which fully encompassed the contrasting ups and downs in the album.
Between tracks from their new album, BROCKHAMPTON performed songs from their “SATURATION“ trilogy. Whenever Vann’s lines came up in “GUMMY” and “SWEET,” they skipped over it and went to the next member’s verse. This flowed surprisingly well. When the lively beats of “BOOGIE” and “QUEER” coursed through Revention Music Center, the ocean of fans cheered and screamed. Like a whirlpool, mosh pits opened up in the middle of the floor and sucked everyone into them, with no toe left uncrushed. These moments of unity were intense as everyone collided into each other in chaotic rhythm.
To close, BROCKHAMPTON performed the soft melancholic “SAN MARCOS,” creating a sentimental air. Fans banded together and swayed back and forth for a five-minute, unforgettably heartwarming moment. The band continued with “BLEACH,” pointing the microphone at the crowd, allowing the audience to sing along to the harmonious chorus.
After BROCKHAMPTON exited the stage, cheers for an encore promptly began. Minutes later, they returned and performed three other songs, including their single “1999 WILDFIRE,” which brought the crowd to a peak.
The setlist of BROCKHAMPTON’s “I’ll Be There Tour” was a perfect mix of fresh new songs and iconic older songs. Even without Vann, the band carried on, making energetic music and delivering exuberant performances. As for the band members’ vocals, they were just as strong and bold in real life as when I blast them on Spotify while I clean my room. From the fear of shattering my phone to the worries about being trampled in a mosh pit, the adrenaline of making it out alive truly enhanced the immersive experience of the concert.
More from The Rice Thresher
Study Abroad Photo Contest spotlights global experiences
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, students gathered in the Ley Student Center to celebrate global experiences through photography.
Review: "The Crux" Should Redefine Djo
Joe Keery’s work has been boiled down to Steve Harrington from “Stranger Things,” but this label shouldn’t define his 10 years in the entertainment industry. Keery, under his stage name “Djo", is the voice behind the TikTok hit “End of Beginning,” which was released with his album “DECIDE” in 2022 and climbed the charts for the first time in 2024. With “The Crux”, Keery’s third album, he tries to separate his work as Djo and an actor, evidenced by the album’s visual of Keery escaping a building.
Review: “Lonely People With Power” merges blackgaze fury with dreamy introspection
Fifteen years into a storied career that’s crisscrossed the boundaries of black metal and shoegaze, Deafheaven has found a way to once again outdo themselves. “Lonely People With Power” feels like a triumphant return to the band’s blackgaze roots, fusing massive walls of guitar-driven sound with whispery dream-pop interludes, recalling their classic album trio of the 2010s (“Sunbather,” “New Bermuda” and “Ordinary Corrupt Human Love”). It also bears the learned refinements of “Infinite Granite,” the 2021 album where they dabbled more boldly in cleaner vocals and atmospheric passages.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.