Bryson Tiller embracing the love from Chicago fans as rain drips from the sky. He was performing his feature verse from Summer Walker’s “Play No Games” (Credit: Dominique Gillon)
“The show must go on!”
That’s what took place Friday (5/24) at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island as fans poured in to see R&B singer Bryson Tiller.
The serenading vocalist is best known for his breakout hit, “Don’t” (2015), and has collaborated with fellow playlist-toppers such as H.E.R. and Chris Brown.
Friday’s presentation is part of the “Bryson Tiller Tour” to promote his self-titled project.
According to Apple Weather, rain was forecasted for Friday. Some guests had ponchos. Others only had hope that they wouldn’t get soaked.
But Tiller proved himself resilient by blazing back (literally) by opening the show with his electric single “Sorry Not Sorry” from his debut album “Trap Soul.”
The Chicago Defender spoke with Tiller’s tour co-pilot, DJ Nitrane, who kept the crowd dancing ahead of Tiller’s arrival.
He recalled being told by venue staff 2 hours before the concert they might have to cancel.
“They had a shelter in place,” DJ Nitrane said. “They said, ‘It’s a thunderstorm. There’s lightning. Everybody stay inside. We don’t know [if] we’re having a show.’”
But weather conditions were a non-factor.
“And I was really happy about that because you can’t come to Chicago and not give y’all a show!” said DJ Nitrane excitedly.
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Tiller has referred to himself as “Pen Griffey” during his decade-long career, a play on the name of Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey. Both have “hitmaking” abilities.
This was clear as Tiller took fans on a melodic rollercoaster by performing songs that made guests yearn and dance.
Among that setlist were singles such as “Outta Time” featuring Drake, this year’s club banger, “Whatever She Wants,” and 2017’s “Wild Thoughts,” which was tagged team by DJ Khaled and Rihanna and earned a #1 spot on the Billboard charts.
Tiller appeared to be closing the show with “Don’t” but kicked the energy back up with “Sorrows” from his 2020 album, “Anniversary.”
Fans like Rajah Gentille left Friday’s show satisfied.
“The rain was worth it.”, Gentille said.“Lace lifted, but that’s okay because we love Bryson. He is a humble person…You know we had to show out and show love.”
Guests spanned across many different age groups. Nitrane believes this reflects Tiller’s impact on music.
“For Bryson to break every age boundary from the moment he dropped “Trap Soul” to now for us to be touring, it just shows the amount of talent Bryson has,” Nitrane explained. “But also the longevity of the music and the timelessness of the music.”
For those unable to make Friday’s show, Tiller is headed to Atlanta on June 12, Sterling Heights, Michigan (Detroit Suburb) on June 26, and Milwaukee on July 5.
You can check the full interview with DJ Nitrane by clicking the video below:
Check out a clip of the Bryson Tiller concert here.
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