WeeklySA_AdminMEGA ACT: Downpour at FNB Stadium makes no dent to dampen spirit of music enthusiasts…
By Priscilla Malinga
Travis Scott has done it. Although his show was delayed by about an hour, that did not dampen the spirit of the revellers.
The FNB Stadium, Nasrec, was, as it should have been, packed to capacity – with 90 000 music enthusiasts, braving the downpour, to watch the US-based rapper at the weekend.
I did not know who Travis Scott was, but thanks to my teenage daughter who opened my eyes to the legend. Travis is known as a performer whose fans are reputed to lose consciousness at his performances. Yet, the truthfulness of the statement has not been verified by research.
There are unsubstantiated stories doing the rounds about how he sacrifices music lovers – and so too this assertion remains unverified by any study or research.
Thanks to Big Concerts for offering us tickets, the experience was mind-blowing.
The event was meticulously organised, making it easy for revellers to find parking space in a congestion-controlled environment. The visibility of the Metro police and SA Police Service was assuring. Had it not been of this arrangement, patrons would have found it daunting to wait in sluggish traffic to reach the parking lot. The check-ups were intense as tickets were checked at every stop.
South Africans, and even fans from neighbouring countries, mingled freely, with marshals dressed in pink visible everywhere to usher people to their blocks and seats in the venue. Drinks and food were easily accessible and queues were efficiently managed.
The heavens began to pour at around 6 pm just when the stadium was starting to fill up. There was no opening act and this made the waiting period unbearable with cold showers pouring.
Those who came unprepared found themselves having to take refuge in sheltered areas. About 8 pm, the stage workers started sweeping the stage after the rain had subsided, with revellers starting chanting Travis Scott’s name.
Before the rain and Travis took stage, an unidentified DJ kept the spirits up among the fans and a lively ambience. Thereafter, it all went silent and all we could hear were music lovers expressing agitation. One fan fainted. This incident gave rise to idle talk and jokes about “the sacrifice having started”.
Around 9.30 pm, Travis Scott took to stage. Finally. The stadium went loud as music lovers screamed out their lungs out as their favourite music was belted. After another US singer-song writer Chris Brown’s performance last year, the bar had been raised high, in ways that some people at last week’s event still felt the Scott’s performance did not match the standard set by Brown, though.
Yet, no comparison should be made between the two artists as they come from different genres, and their styles should be evaluated differently.
Without doubt, Scott’s performance was magical, and he did not use the main stage. The main stage was used to beam and amplify his act. Also, there were additional four screens around the field.
The stage he used was set up on the field and resembled a snow-white theatre. He could walk from one end to the next. He used the ground floor for a better view, and some had an opportunity to join him on stage.
On the whole, this was a great show even for older folks like myself.
Tickets were sold out. He sang some of his old songs, combining the list with new hits. He must have rendered “the peoples’ favourite”, FEIN, about four times.
Ultimately, all one can say is that… the show was awesome.
