Have you already booked your early return from vacation? Have you postponed your departure? Or are you planning a surprise trip to Rome? Whichever option you choose, you are most likely doing it for a worthy cause and for a once-in-a-lifetime event. In fact, the world of music has been talking about nothing else for several days: on Monday, August 7, Travis Scott will present the world premiere of his latest album, Utopiaand the destination chosen is none other than Rome. The Pyramids are beautiful, yes, but what could be better than the Eternal City, where it all began and where all roads lead to, for the first show of the most long-awaited record of the year? And that’s not counting the fact that the film that accompanies the album (albeit not yet released in Italy) bears the name of a valley located between the Roman hills.
Travis Scott in Rome: luxury or minimalism?
Okay, maybe this information will be enough to understand that what will happen in a few days at the Circus Maximus will be the event of the year for our country. (which is slowly becoming yet another of Europe’s epicenters of overseas hip-hop), but before last month’s show at I-Days Milano and the ones brought around the world by Travis Scott, what can we expect from Monday night? ?
The answer is shrouded in mystery. On one side is the unbridled opulence of the show at the Astroworld festival in Texas (although the 2021 epilogue was dramatic as we all know), with dozens and dozens of world famous guests (Bad Bunny, Drake, Young Thug, Migos Rosalía, Pharrell, Kanye West , Post Malone, to name but a few).
On the other hand, the scenographic minimalism of the Milan scene (which we told you about here), in which there was practically no stage element whatsoever (except for the flames spitting out from the stage, but even then – as they say – this is the usual administration).
A grand show in Italy is possible: the case of The Weeknd
However, The Weeknd’s extraordinary performance (also featured on two tracks Utopia) with a colossal production in Milan revived the hope of seeing a show of international stage importance in our country, which is not quite usual.. Abel Tesfaye has actually demonstrated how you can put on a large-scale show with attention to every detail, even outside the New Continent, leaving nothing to chance.
Unfortunately, we still can’t say the same about other Made in USA giants like Travis Scott or Kendrick Lamar, both of whom have exhibited in Milan. Definitely unmissable spectacles for the caliber of protagonists, but which, on stage, had little in common with those shown to the rest of the world. (and without even going too far. Did you see the K-Dot concert in Paris? No? Well, we strongly recommend that you catch up here).
However, the Travis Scott show scheduled for Monday night at Circus Maximus could have turned the tide, even though the organization was literally at the last minute. But we are talking about the world premiere of the album, which already enjoyed worldwide success, reaching 128 million plays in the first day of its life and taking first place in all charts (including in Italy, where Utopia debuted at number 1 in the FIMI/GfK ranking published yesterday). Will there be guests on stage? Will there be an opening? Will the production be gigantic? For now, we can only imagine, but find out how Utopia becomes a reality, we just have to see you in Rome.