After Seeing Post Malone In Concert Last Night I Am Confident Saying He Is One Of The Best Live Acts Right Now And Will Be Playing A Super Bowl Halftime Show Within The Next 3 Years
This is a long blog and I might lose you so before I do let me say this, if you have an opportunity to catch Post Malone’s current “F-1Trillion” Tour, do it. You will not be disappointed, I promise.
I sadly missed seeing Sturgill Simpson at one of my favorite venues, Salt Shed, in Chicago this week, but getting to see Post Malone's show at Blossom Music Center, in Ohio instead, was less of a concert and more of an experience. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was clear this wasn't going to be a typical country show. The energy was electric, the pyrotechnics were explosive (literally, there were fireworks), and Post himself was a captivating, charismatic force.
His opening is insane. How most shows close out—with fireworks and pyro capping off big crescendoes—that's how he came out and opened up the show with "Wrong Ones."
Right after that, he went into a passionate, and sincere, welcome, and "thank you" to the crowd.
One of the most impressive aspects of the performance was the unexpected twist on his music. Some songs, like "Chemical," were reimagined with a country flair, a move that, while initially questionable on record, truly came alive in the live setting. I cheated and checked out the set list before the show, and was surprised to see so many of Post's older r&b songs in the setlist. I was wondering how he was going to perform them, and how the crowd (A heavily country crowd) would react.
The result was evident. He fucking nailed them.
By changing the BPM/tempo slightly, and altering the key of the songs each a few semitones, they were familiar, but had a new sound at the same time.
Take for example, the song "Chemical" which I mentioned stood out, I originally didn't like it when it came out on Austin, but hearing it live, and with a country touch to it, it was fucking awesome.
The band was also much better than expected. Usually, when artists announce they're going on tour, and they aren't in a band or have a touring band, their label sources a bunch of different instrumentalists - guitar players, drummer, keys, bassist, and backup singers from all over the place and throws them together and puts them out on the road after a few practices. This did NOT seem to be the case. Post's band was fucking awesome.
First off, each memeber of it was clearly very accomplished. You could tell by watching and listening to them that they were the real, and have been in the game forever. Together, they seemed tight as hell, very familiar with each other, and very familiar with his music. They were complete with a legit violinist (my favorite), who elevated the sound, and added layers of depth and complexity to the familiar tracks.
Malone effortlessly navigated his discography, even tackling the guest verses on his duet-heavy album with impressive finesse.
It's a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft. And speaking of talent, let's talk about that voice. The man can sing, and he wasn't up there just going through the motions either. For a Tuesday night in the middle of nowhere Ohio, he was performing like it was the fucking Grammys. No joke. Rolling around on the ground, belting out vocals stretching his voice to hit notes I didn't even know he was capable of. I was seriously blown away.
Beyond the music, Post's stage presence was magnetic. He commanded the audience with his signature hip movements, (leading to some rather suggestive observations. AKA, just by seeing how he moves his hips you can tell the guy knows how to fuck) and of course, genuine enthusiasm. There was a palpable connection between artist and crowd, especially during his performance of "Two Hearts." Though not a chart-topper, the fact he keeps that song in the set says a lot that the song clearly held a special place in Post's heart, and the crowd responded in kind.
The show had its quirks, of course. Like when he did the band introductions. While entertaining, it felt a bit obligatory, like a tradition upheld out of fear of breaking some unspoken concert rule. (I have a theory that once upon a time an act started doing this, and now, out of fear of not wanting to look like a dick and break the tradition, every band on Earth does this every show now.) He made it funny as hell, almost like an improv stand up set, introducing each member of the band one by one, sharing personal information about them with us that we didn't know if he was telling the truth or fabricating. The bassist's intro was interesting, to say the least.
And sidebar here- I saw his last tour which wasn’t bad, but didn’t leave an impression on me like this show did. And I saw him at the Miami Super Bowl a few years ago at a company’s event I won’t mention. And in a small room setting like that, with a bunch of corporate dorks, he seemed like he couldn’t have been more laid back. Not that he didn’t take it seriously, but he didn’t look out of his element at all, and performed like it was a packed arena of die hards. It was so funny watching him light up cigarette after cigarette and seeing the venue staff squirm out of their skin because “no smoking indoors”. But they couldn’t say anything to the performer on stage. And when he was done, he acted like a kid in a candy store who couldn’t wait to meet all the former and current NFL players who were there.
Speaking of smoking, how this guys voice sounds so good when he smokes like he does is crazy.
He had to have smoked a pack and a half of cigarettes last night on stage. And he spits. A lot. Not that I give a shit, just observations.
But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar performance. Post Malone proved himself to be a true entertainer, a genre-bending artist who can seamlessly blend hip-hop, country, and rock into a cohesive and captivating whole. He's an agent's dream, with his Bud Light cup prominently displayed throughout the night, (perfectly front and center on a barstool and in his band- a sponsor's dream), a walking billboard for any brand lucky enough to snag an endorsement.
He also couldn't have been more gracious with the crowd if he tried. It seemed like in between every song he was genuinely thanking the crowd for coming to see him and for liking his music. He would bow and clasp his hands, seeming almost surprised that 20,000 people packed into an outdoor amphitheater to hear him play. He is an artist who is very, very hard not to like and root for.
The "Rockstar" performance was a highlight, a Grammy-worthy spectacle that left the audience breathless. If this show is any indication, Post Malone's star is only going to continue to rise.
A final, personal note: Observing Post Malone on stage, I couldn't help but wonder about the man behind the music. What was he like as a kid? Was he always this confident, this comfortable in his own skin? Or was there a shy, awkward kid hiding beneath the tattoos and bravado? It's a question I'd love to ask him one day, a question I find myself pondering about most celebrities. After all, our childhood experiences shape who we become, and understanding those experiences can offer a glimpse into the heart of an artist.
Post Malone - Blossom Music Center - October 1, 2024 SET LIST
Wrong Ones
Finer Things
Circles
What Don't Belong to Me
Guy for That
Chemical
California Sober
M-E-X-I-C-O
Candy Paint
Fallin' in Love
Who Needs You
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Post Malone's performance showcased exactly why he's ready to take on the Super Bowl Halftime Show. I predict he will land the gig within the next 3 years. Here's my breakdown:
Aside from being a very marketable, household name, he also has-
Crossover Appeal: Post isn't confined by genre. He blends hip-hop, rock, country, and pop, creating a sound with mass appeal. This musical versatility is crucial for captivating a Super Bowl audience that spans generations and musical tastes. He is exactly the kind of act that should have been booked this year, instead of Kendrick Lamar.
Proven Showmanship: The man knows how to put on a show. His Blossom performance was high-energy, engaging, and visually stunning. And that was, again, on a rainy Tuesday night in bumfuck Ohio. He commands the stage with charisma and confidence, essential qualities for holding the attention of millions worldwide. Put him on stage at the Super Bowl and there's no telling how big of the dent he will put in it.
Hit-Making Power: "Congratulations," "Rockstar," "Circles," "Sunflower" – the man has a string of chart-topping hits that are instantly recognizable and guaranteed to get people moving. A Super Bowl setlist practically writes itself.
Family-Friendly Image: While his music might have some edgy lyrics, Post Malone himself maintains a relatively clean-cut image. He's not courting controversy, making him a safe choice for the NFL's family-friendly broadcast.
"America the Beautiful" Precedent: He's already graced the Super Bowl stage with a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful." He fucking crushed it and already demonstrated his ability to handle the pressure and grandeur of the event, making a full halftime show the natural next step.
Sponsorship Magnet: That Bud Light cup wasn't an accident. Post Malone is a brand's dream, and his appeal to a younger demographic is a huge draw for Super Bowl advertisers.
Bonus: he's also arguably the biggest football fan in music today. The guy and half his band wore Dallas Cowboys jerseys last night. And during a brief break between songs, when he started talking about his favorite team, and the Cleveland crowd started boo'ing, he immediately joked "you are all just saying "Coooooooooop" right? Not booooo?" (For former Cowboy now Brown Amari Cooper. Which went right over 90% of the crowd's heads).
p.s. - Yes I am pissed I didn't get to see Sturgill live at Salt Shed this week. One of the best live acts I've seen in years at one of the best live venues, I argue, in the country now. Bummed out by such is life.
p.p.s. - I have to disagree with Eddie on this one. I arrived in time to catch the last 30 minutes of the opener Muscadine Bloodline's set, and having been familiar with the name, but never heard them before, I'm now a fan. They were really, really fucking good. Very few times have I been to a show and thought the opener stunk or was unnecessary. Almost every Springsteen and GnR show I've been to where they both never have openers, I always find myself wishing they did. It's too fast a jolt, going from literally house lights and 0 to 100 mph. Just my opinion.