Light dreams and nightmares were experienced by those in attendance of Drake’s concert tour in Tampa. His first ever Tampa performance drew crowds to a near sold out USF Sun Dome Arena. Drake fans of all types were able to partake on a musical journey through the animated visuals and sounds.
The Light Dreams & Nightmares Tour, presented by AT&T, is a follow up to his eco-friendly Away From Home Tour. After having to cancel the European leg of his last tour due to his ill mother, he follows up by reflecting the success of his platinum selling album with this 25 city tour that will take him to Lil’ Wayne’s prison release in November. He still found a charitable partner with the Friends of Music Therapy Endowment Fund at SickKids hospital after conceiving inspiration from taking care of his mom and MS diagnosed producer Noah “40” Shebib. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the foundation’s strive to provide stable funding to ensure the delivery of music therapy to the hospital’s patients.
Under the genial musical direction of bassist Adam Blackstone, all the songs on the 85 minute setlist were redone to flow extravagantly within the theme of this tour. A DJ, lead guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, and backup singer added depth to every song and transition. Each band member was highlighted throughout the show. They were not the only ones that were acknowledged. Birdman and Young Money’s Lil’ Twist made special appearances. Images of Lil’ Wayne and Aaliyah in the centerpiece truly showed the subconscious tapping of dreams when songs such as “Miss Me” and “Unforgettable”. With each dream, a nightmare of reality was also made and shown by the transformation of the centerpiece from a sun and moon into a mood orb. The centerpiece of the set did not upstage the diversity of the rest of the visuals. The stage was accompanied by a constant laser show, strobe lights, fireworks, embers, and silhouette maker towards the microphone stand.
Drake’s usage of all these elements showed a major understanding of the ways of performing, which is shocking at the ripe age of 23. A constant reminder of his age was shown with smiles during choruses after taking in the crowd’s vocals, along with references to girls and success hardships during transitions. Drake put emphasis on how rap overtakes pop and R&B at his shows by focusing on only providing vocals during his rapped verses in hip-hop songs and letting the crowd sing his choruses. Although his positional preference was center stage, he was able to control the crowd and band with his charisma.
Drizzy Drake is apart of the new cycle of rappers that came in the game since 2007. He understands the epic journey that can move fans who listen, and they look forward to another trip as he hopes to return to the Bay Area.