Tyler, Turnstile, Clipse conquer London East: 7 Best Moments
The stage was set in London for a performance that did more than just deliver music; it served as a platform for a moment of cultural reflection. Tyler, The Creator kicked off his All Points East headline set by addressing the current political landscape, expressing gratitude that Theresa May was no longer Prime Minister, complete with some colorful expletives.
This seemingly political gesture was underpinned by a history that stretched back further. The relationship between Tyler and former Prime Minister May was anything but new, tracing back to 2015 when May famously barred the L.A. native from the United Kingdom, sparking a long-standing tension between the two.
But the decade plus since then has seen a profound transformation, not just in Tyler’s personal life, but in the evolution of his artistry. His musical output has consistently mirrored this shift, weaving a tapestry that defies simple categorization.
From the button-pushing energy of his early days in the rap troupe Odd Future, Tyler has continuously reinvented himself. His sound today is a vibrant collision of influences, swinging effortlessly between the sun-kissed neo-soul of Flower Boy”>Flower Boy, the iconoclastic pop-funk of IGOR”>IGOR, and the high-energy experimentation of newer sounds like Don’t Tap the Glass”>Don’t Tap the Glass.
Fittingly, the lineup for the event reflected this genre-blurring instinct, offering a sonic mirror to the variety Tyler himself embodies. The bill featured a dynamic mix of sounds that appealed to the diverse tastes of the audience.
On the hip-hop spectrum, the set featured potent tracks from Vince Staples, the technical sharpness of Clipse, the club-ready anthems of Sexyy Red, and the UK underground sounds of Spanish drill artists like BB Trickz and fakemink.
For those seeking melody, the set provided an eclectic journey. Rex Orange County, a key collaborator from the Flower Boy”>Flower Boy era, brought soulful warmth, alongside the atmospheric R&B of Mariah the Scientist, the dreamy sound of Love Spells, and the introspective tones of Memphis singer Yebba.
The heavier side of the performance was equally compelling. Acts like Turnstile, Melbourne’s Ecca Vandal, Sydney’s Shady Nasty, and Jean Dawson brought hardcore and rock energy, perfectly echoing Tyler’s own push-and-pull between melodic softness and raw intensity.
The result was a showcase of contrasting yet harmonious sounds—a testament to an artistic journey marked by constant reinvention, proving that the most compelling music is often found at the intersection of seemingly disparate styles.
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