Post Malone, in support of his fourth studio album Twelve Carat Toothache, continued his “Twelve Carat Tour” #TCT in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center Thursday, October 6 with supporting act Roddy Ricch. Both artists offered an explosive, supercharged performance. With a tetralogy of chart-topping hits spanning over only 6 years (ranging from White Iverson to I Like You…), Post gave it his all, with a passion set into overdrive, and musically leaving nothing behind. It was a night of celebration, love, and community… and we’re absolutely here for it!
DJ Zak Bia opened the show with a dance party extravaganza, spinning tracks that got everybody pumped, followed by lyrical heavy-hitter, Roddy Ricch, whose array of hits catapulted him to fame, such as the Grammy-winning record Racks in the Middle, as well as High Fashion, Ballin’, The Box, and (the Ricch and Post collaboration) Cooped Up.
In the City of Brotherly Love, Post shared a powerful sentiment: If you see someone that looks like they need a hug, please hug them, because you never know what that might do to a person. Even at the end of the show, he expressed gratitude, God’s love and energy, and all of the love his fans have given him, while emphasizing the importance of everyone’s own truth and individuality. Above the music, Post places people and the compassion he has for them first… and always has since the beginning… which is only one of the reasons why he’s loved by millions of fans. And his connection with them is unmatched.
In a class of genre-defying rock, rap, pop, etc, Post’s performance was comparable to a heavyweight fight in music, throwing all of the punches and just slaying and dominating the stage with a fierce energy, which is perfect for a Rocky reference, since the beloved fictional fighter from Philly had brought so much love and heart to his city. Going by a famous quote in the movie which said, “Life’s not about how hard of a hit you can give… it’s about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.” And this is universally true! When Post got injured at one of his shows just weeks ago, he got right back up like a high-powered machine. After dark times we faced collectively in recent years, especially, we are powering through and thriving on the strength of the human spirit.
While many other artists’ live shows are comprised largely of glitz and glamour, such as dancers, wardrobe changes, and special effects, Post is a standalone artist, real and raw: a powerhouse of his own. While he can (and has) pull(ed) off a full band performance (Budlight Tours/Sessions), he really doesn’t need it. Likewise, while there was a full production of smoke, pyro, fireworks, and out-of-this-world lighting (including color-changing flames), which intensified the concert experience, that all pales in comparison to his stellar performance. If you didn’t feel alive and electrically charged during this concert, check your pulse! Because Post really delivered and brought us a pulse-pounding show—one in which we felt a palpable, good energy pulsing in our hearts for the whole damn set!
The amount of love showered down on this incredible artist is unreal. Honestly, my senses were blown at how extraordinary of a performance it was, amplified by an unfiltered compassion and outpouring of love that flowed through us all. He STAYED after the show to greet fans and sign autographs… ON STAGE! And this is a huge artist who doesn’t need to put in the extra time, but he does, and has remained super humble from day one. Unconventionally, Post didn’t disappear in the shadows before an encore; instead, he made the encore seamless within the set list, laying everything out openly (and, in doing so, baring his soul). After the show, people were chanting and screaming his name all the way down the halls, and out the venue. As people were walking outside the doors to the parking lots, you could hear their adoration echoing throughout the whole arena’s interior. I’ve never seen anything like it!
Again, it was obvious Post was swelling with gratitude throughout the show. I think he’s reached an apex of balance and harmony within himself, despite all of his trials in getting there. I believe he’s found a sense of inner peace and happiness, which he’s discussed in an interview with Zane Lowe. And what he’s taken in, he channels out directly to his fans and brings other artists (his friends) along for the ride. It’s all about sharing the love. The most powerful moment was THE HUG that Post gave Ricch… it moved me in such a way that I welled up inside and was hit by the intensity of it… of just pure, radiating kindness. It induced a joyous chain-reaction of people hugging in the audience which was positively beautiful.
This intense outpouring of emotion is precisely what the album’s complexities allude to, for the 9-time Grammy-nominated artist, which is a stark look at one’s internal struggles and vulnerability: managing to find the unkind and ugly parts within ourselves and transmuting that energy into love. The interesting thing about that is that the same brain circuitry is said to be involved in all extreme emotions, which is why love and hate (Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol) are at times interlinked. It’s our job to focus that energy (and all its chaotic, insane parts) into a place of mindfulness, serenity, gratitude, and well-being. And that begins with self-love and the caring and appreciation for others. It’s where Philadelphia got its name: the root words of philos (beloved) and adelphos (brother).
Finally, what was cool afterwards was that the popular Philadelphia hip hop station Q102 kept playing Post’s songs throughout the night, following the show, as if to celebrate him in their city. Even the Philly stations love Post! The full set list for The Wells Fargo Center can be found here. If fans were lucky enough, they got to experience the World Pong League (VIP) Lounge or one of the Don Londres Tequila After Parties. Because you know that any party-related atmosphere surrounding Post Malone is replete with love and synonymous with great energy! Catch Post on the road for the remaining dates of the Twelve Carat Tour… and party with the ultimate rockstar!
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