Friday’s sold-out Big Sean concert took place at the Complex, with the admission line wrapping around the block. The crowd was filled with energy and excitement before the doors even opened.
The concert was supposed to start at 8, but nobody came onstage until about 8:30. At that point, a DJ hyped up the crowd for a long hour and a half. While this was a long time to listen to an unknown DJ play songs, the wait was worth it. The anticipation was nearly palpable, so as soon as Casey Veggies, the opening act, came onstage, the crowd went wild. He performed with the casual eagerness of a new performer but the confidence of someone familiar with the stage. He had an easy time addressing the crowd and getting everyone dancing.
Casey Veggies may not bring the same recognition as Kanye West, but at only 21 years old, he has accomplished a great deal. He started his music career as a founding member of the group Odd Future along with fellow rapper Tyler, The Creator. At the age of 14, he went solo with the release of his first mixtape, Customized Greatly Vol. 1. Shortly afterward, he helped found the popular street-wear brand, Peas & Carrots International. In addition to music and fashion, he was also featured in the Sundance film, Dope, in which he plays himself. Casey Veggies is dropping his official debut album soon, but his new single, “Backflip,” is currently on iTunes.
After Casey left the stage, the DJ reappeared and played a few more songs until it was time for the headliner. When Big Sean came on, everyone was sufficiently hyped up and ready to dance and sing along. He started rapping offstage while a giant screen onstage flashed bright lights, and the strobe lights blared from the ceiling. Everyone craned their necks to try to catch a glimpse through the flashes of light. He finally emerged onstage and everyone cheered and screamed with excitement. His set was filled with lights, varying from red to bright white. This blend of light, along with his upbeat music provided the perfect environment for dancing. Not a single person was standing still, and most had their phones out, desperate to post a good video of the excitement on Snapchat or Instagram.
After his set, the crowd reluctantly shuffled out. Both Casey Veggies and Big Sean brought the energy and catchy tunes to keep the crowd on their feet.
@ChronyArts