Live Report: Travis Scott closes Longitude Festival with short but sensational spectacle

Following an electric set from Lil Uzi Vert, the packed Longitude main stage crowd were fully charged for the final headliner, world-famous Travis Scott. This being Scott's first gig in Ireland in five years, fans swarmed to the barriers to get as close as possible, and eagerly awaited the music icon's arrival.

With an expansive setlist that spans almost a decade’s worth of music, it’s hard not to marvel at the heights Travis Scott has reached as an artist in that time. From the Houston rapper's beginnings on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label and a producer on Yeezus, it’s been incredible to see him ascend to full-fledged stardom in his own right.

The barrier-huggers certainly had valid reasons for their excited anticipation, but it would slowly fade as almost fifty minutes passed before Scott emerged on stage. Chants of "refund" erupted among groups clearly agitated at the apparent no-show, and the wait was grating for all in attendance.

The extended wait for the performance cannot be attributed to festival organisers or the rapper, but it did result in hundreds of attendants opting to leave the festival early, presuming that the rapper would not show up. When Scott finally emerged, triumphant cheers were heard across the crowd, but listeners were treated to a condensed 16-song performance due to the rapidly-approaching curfew.

Not letting the delayed entrance and disgruntled crowd chants get him down, Travis emerged victorious, full of infectious energy as he prowled the stage. Pillars of fire and smoke accompanied the entrance of Lil Uzi Vert, who joined Travis to kick of the show with his own song 'Aye'.

Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert at Longitude 2023's Mainstage - copyright: Miguel Ruiz / hotpress.com

The light show and intense performance had the crowd quickly back on Scott's side, who moved on to his own hits 'Highest in the Room' and 'BUTTERFLY EFFECT'. The short set list takes the crowd back and forth through Scott’s career, moving from early hit 'Mamacita' before bringing in beautiful swirling party tracks from his 2018 album Astroworld.

Throughout Scott's medley of hits, a lit-up platform sees him standing high over the now-adoring crowd, surrounded by a near-constant vortex of white light. Powerful pyrotechnics, dancing lasers and plumes of smoke all add to the opulent optics, as Scott moves to his Metro Boomin collaboration hits 'Raindrops' and 'Trance'.

Travis Scott at Longitude 2023's Mainstage - copyright: Miguel Ruiz / hotpress.com

The stage spectacles fuelling the adrenaline rush of final anthems 'SICKO MODE' and 'Goosebumps', as the rapper loudly proclaims "Dublin, let's fucking rock!".

Following a rendition of 'Goosebumps' during which almost all in attendance recite the words with Scott, the show comes to an end all too soon. "Can't wait till I see y'all on Utopia tour," announces Scott before leaving the stage, implying that Dublin may be on the hitlist for the rapper's upcoming album debut tour.

While it was a somewhat underwhelming start to the final performance of the weekend, Scott gave it his all for the short setlist, fitting his greatest hits into a show filled with visual spectacle and raw rap talent. One to remember for all who stayed to watch.