Tyler, the Creator Review: A Magnanimous Reincarnation on the Grandest Stage

O2 Arena, London

The US rapper once again reinvents himself into a captivating, militant figure for his eighth LP, Chromakopia, culminating in a spell-binding solo set within the capital's grandest arena.

Five days before Chromakopia even presented itself, Tyler, the Creator casually announced a 64-date world tour; as if the prospect of a new album didn't already suffice. By the time tonight came around, the record had cemented itself as one of his most personal and introspective works yet — a lush blend of Flower Boy’s soul, Igor's genre-bending ambition, and the voice of playful maturity which now threads through his illustrious set of music.

Against a backdrop of dark green-painted cargo containers, the “chromakopia” chant swells and Tyler marches on stage in an army-style uniform, commanding attention before a single note is uttered. 'Rah Tah Tah' detonates the night — booming 808s, razor-sharp delivery, pyro hitting with surgical precision — before 'Noid' takes things to another level. “I can feel it…” loops over the chaos, bursts of flame singeing the pit as Tyler jerks and pivots with robotic precision, every intense piece of movement feeding the crowd’s energy. The pace dips for 'Judge Judy', a dreamily romantic sway that charms on record but here acts more as a pause for breath than a moment of transcendence.

Suddenly, Tyler strides down a central catwalk that cuts the arena in half, towering above the crowd for 'Sticky', the chorus ricocheting off the walls as the floor beneath churns. “Take Your Mask Off” follows, unfurling like a mini-opera: a twisting piano-led R&B and soulful refrains that feel simultaneously confessional and rallying in its cries.

Soon, the show pivots entirely. Tyler disappears and re-emerges in the middle of the arena on a fully-formed swish, 70’s-style lounge set, complete with bed, record player, warm lighting, and an outfit change. Here, he dips into his transcendental LP, Igor, ('Earfquake', 'A Boy is a Gun', 'Thank You', 'I Think') often just mere vignettes, but enough to light up the crowd into frenzied singalongs. Between songs, he carelessly flips through vinyl by OutKast, Erykah Badu, the Black Eyed Peas, riffing off-the-cuff about his favourites like a true-blue friend sharing their prized record collection.

The final act drags us back to the main stage with 'Thought I Was Dead', his rapping notoriously taut and urgent, before 'New Magic Wand' blows the roof off; still one of his most explosive and indelible tracks to date, rapturously complete with encompassing fire, bangs and unbridled crowd chaos. And then, as if in complete contrast, it all melts into the calm of 'I Hope You Find Your Way Home', Tyler alone in a spotlight, quietly repeating “Let the light shine” before seamlessly bowing out.

What’s striking tonight isn’t just the production — though the dual-stage design, cinematic lighting and pyrotechnics are jaw-dropping — it’s how Tyler’s mastery lies in pacing, in the way he shifts tone and persona without losing the thread. In a pop-rap world addicted to the quick fix, he’s a shapeshifter with the patience and precision of Bowie or Prince, carving out space to reinvent himself on his own terms. This wasn’t just another performance; it was a statement, and a triumphant, transformative arena debut.

8/10

Tyler, the Creator's eighth LP, Chromakopia, is out now via Columbia Records and can be found below. Photo is courtesy of Shaun Llewellyn whose work can be found here.