Post Malone live in London: Rap and country megastar is hard to resist
On the second of two nights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the US megastar proves why he can command 60,000 people a night.
By Ben Jolley
Likely leaving cupboards for the first time since Beyoncé’s headline shows at this very venue in June, the sea of cowboy boots and Stetson hats that pile into Tottenham Hotspur Stadium confirm that the UK’s renewed love of country music isn’t going away anytime soon.
If there’s one artist who’s been at the forefront of its mainstream takeover, it’s Post Malone, whose tube-strike-delayed return to London sees him pack out the 80,000-capacity venue – not once, but two nights in a row.
With close friend and collaborator Jelly Roll in tow, the BIG ASS World Tour has a truck load of American energy. It’s a well-suited pairing: not only could the tattoo-covered pair pass as brothers, but they both started out in rap before pivoting to country. When it comes to mid-song patter, each draw on turbulent pasts and speak about reshaping paths. The sermons may feel preachy at times, but t’s impossible to not be moved when Posty gets emotional after Jelly gushes to his face about how much he has changed his life.
On the strength of the Nashville artist’s heartfelt British debut – which soars with singalong fan favourites ‘Liar’, ‘Save Me’ and ‘I Am Not Okay’, as well as covers of songs that shaped him – it’s easy to imagine Jelly Roll (and scene-stealing, Spurs-shirt wearing drummer Pork Chop) headlining arenas this time next year.
Until then, though, it’s down to Austin Richard Post to prove why – a decade into his career – he’s still one of the biggest artists in the world. Sauntering onto the stage in a baseball tee, jeans, flatcap and with a plastic-cup-decanted-beer in hand (before it’s poured down the roadtrack runway), fireworks explode and flames shoot skyward. It’s a flashy opening that’s summed up by the title of the second song, ‘Wow.’, whose on-record sparseness is replaced by heavy drums thanks to his formidable live band.
What follows is a show that, darting between country, rock, rap and pop, is packed with anthems. Morgan Wallen-collaboration ‘I Had Some Help’ is the undeniable highlight and has everyone dancing, while the frenetic ‘rockstar’ sees him flex his press-up game. The Insta-worthy firework-filled finale of ‘Congratulations’, which sees Post ascend from within a tattered trailer, takes things to another level.
Suffice to say, there really is no expense spared on the show’s production. But amidst the spectacle lies a raw vulnerability that comes to the fore when he strips things back. Acoustic renditions of throwbacks ‘Feeling Whitney’ and an impassioned ‘Stay’ are lighters-in-the-air moments that showcase Post’s powerful vocal, while he joins the front row for a soul-bearing ‘I Fall Apart’.
The most poignant moment of the evening, though, comes from the late Ozzy Osbourne’s presence: their team-up ‘Take What You Want’ sends chills throughout the stadium; “we fucking love you Ozzy, thank you for not only changing my life but so many others as well,” Post gushes before a mass tributary chant.
While some of the country heads may have felt a little shortchanged by the brevity of material from last year’s ‘F-1 Trillion’ record – just five songs in fact, and sadly no ‘Pour Me A Drink’ or ‘Guy For That’ – the 21-track setlist covers a lot of ground from across his six-album career. More than anything, it demonstrates his journey and growth as a versatile artist who can unite genre-specific fanbases like few others.