Unforgettable Night: Bryson Tiller’s Electrifying Self-Titled Tour!
6/6/2024, The Anthem, Washington D.C.
The Louisville, KY native and Grammy-nominated R&B superstar is finally back on tour following the release of his self-titled album, Bryson Tiller. To say that Bryson Tiller has grown immensely since working at Papa John’s and UPS at 22 years old, and being discovered on SoundCloud, is an understatement. From a SoundCloud discovery to an RCA label-signed artist and soon-to-be video game entrepreneur, Tiller’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Interestingly, he has sustained a core following with minimal promotion or online presence outside of album release/tour season, maintaining an enigmatic status in the R&B community.
The Evolution of Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller marks Tiller's fourth studio album, following his impressive discography: Trapsoul (2015), True to Self (2017), and Anniversary (2020). This self-titled album is a testament to his artistic range and the consistent quality that has kept his fanbase loyal over the years. The tour includes 30 performances across North America, demonstrating the widespread appeal of his music.
Washington D.C. Performance at The Anthem
I enjoyed attending Tiller’s tour at the 15th stop in Washington, D.C. at The Anthem. Opening with “Sorry Not Sorry,” Tiller set the stage with high energy, accompanied by flashing lights and smoke machines. His performance highlights were not only his solo hits but also his notable features, including “Wild Thoughts,” “Playing Games (Extended Version)," and “Could’ve Been." The audience was particularly electrified by his leading single from the new album, "Whatever She Wants."
Crowd Energy and Song Popularity
For an artist who hadn’t released an album in four years with very little promotion, the audience's excitement was unmistakable from start to finish. Songs like "Exchange" and "Don’t" generated the largest crowd responses with word-to-word singing-often overpowering the artist's microphone. During "Exchange," I witnessed several attendees, moved to tears, singing along with heartfelt emotion and hands raised high—hallmarks of the R&B concert experience. This shared emotional vulnerability made the event even more memorable, creating lasting memories for fans.
Performance Quality and Stage Presence
Despite the extensive special effects, including fire, smoke, and colorful laser light shows, Bryson took the stage alone for much of the performance, bringing the focus squarely on his vocals and emotionally charged lyrics. This created a more intimate concert experience. His voice remains as impressive as it was during the Trapsoul era. He closed the concert with "Calypso," a single from his new album, followed by "Don’t," "Sorrows," and "Right My Wrongs."
His self-titled tour underscores his unique position in the R&B community. Despite limited promotions, his concerts reflect high audience engagement and emotional depth. While opinions differ on his enigmatic presence, his tour's success suggests that talent and a loyal following can triumph over traditional promotional strategies.
The show also drew a diverse audience, including fans of all ages and ethnicities. It’s a special talent for any artist to connect with so many people across different stages of life, even after a break. Bryson has mentioned that he will be stepping back from music after this tour to focus on his Trapsoul gaming venture. Because of this, fans might not get another chance to see him perform live anytime soon. Make sure to catch one of his remaining shows before tickets are gone. Don't miss out on this unforgettable and intimate concert experience!
Easy Listening, The Urban Music Enthusiast.