Was the only information provided to the huge crowds of ‘Tyler the Creator’ fans who headed to Peckham Rye, South-East London Saturday afternoon.
Tyler, a figure who was previously banned in 2015 from entering the UK, only released his newest album IGOR two days prior to the event. His popularity is indicated not only by the speed in which his songs are climbing the charts, but also the size of his internet following. With 6.5 Million Instagram followers and 8.4 on Twitter, it isn’t surprising that the venue was overcrowded within the space of an hour.
The US rapper tweeted the location after suggestively filming himself jumping about outside Buckingham Palace earlier that morning with the caption ‘LONDON, IGOR, 3PM’. Quickly reaching over a million views, Tyler demonstrated that his British popularity still remains. The excitement from these tweets was visceral, many people like myself were ready to buy tickets at a moments notice.
Like many others travelling south, I rode the overground which was filled with young people in La Fleur and bright clothing, excitedly chatting about the mystery of what would be awaiting them. Peckham Rye station was flooded with fans streaming towards Copeland Park. It was instantly evident that there would be an issue, despite arriving in the first hour, I was unable to get throughout into the park itself, being caught just outside the main road. With seemingly no organisation, security, tickets or preparation it is unsurprising that the gig was forced to shut down. Locals were rightly confused, traffic came to a standstill and the road was totally blocked by loyal fans waiting in the hope of getting inside the venue.
Shortly after 3PM, Tyler shared a post on his Instagram story telling everyone that the gig had been cancelled due to rowdiness and people climbing over gates. Being amongst the midst of this group, ‘Rowdy’ didn’t seem to match the attitudes of the people waiting. People were climbing on signs and traffic lights to asses the situation, however, everyone surrounding me despite being claustrophobically squeezed together were largely polite and respectful. People were pushing and chanting, but as is to be expected from such a large crowd. Ripples of information spread through the crowd, claims that there was no security, that the venue was being manned by the few employees working within Copeland Park and that it had been them, not the police who had called off the gig.
Crowds Waiting at Copeland Park
In hindsight, this failure was inevitable and the fault of the event planning. I respect the vision, hence jumping on the first train from East London. There was an adrenaline hit when I realised I would be able to get there in time, and that excitement rivals any gig I have been to before. Nevertheless, with such a large following, events such as these require trained staff to prevent serious injuries from overcrowding. Through even releasing a ballot selected tickets, the event wouldn’t have spilt out onto the street and prompted the arrival of the police.
Tyler later tweeted,
Backtracking on the earlier accusation of the ‘rowdy’ Londoners, Tyler calls back to his days of Odd Future, the internet-based alternative hip hop group including members such as Frank Ocean, Syd and Earl Sweatshirt. The collective was successful in its ability in marketing, using the platform Tumblr to generate a widespread loyal fanbase. The group made music, designed and produced branded clothing and made a television show called ‘Loiter Squad’. The pure youth energy and rejection of conventions were the backbones for OF, this same energy was clearly running through the Londoners on Saturday. Through the power of social media, in a matter of hours, Tyler was able to call together hundreds if not thousands of fans. This social media, self-marketing generation of young artist demonstrates the mass potential of the internet. It gives influencers a level of power which certainly also requires responsibility. The days of the ‘do it yourself’ methods of creative management and freestyling seem to no longer be a possibility for Tyler.
Fans slowly dispersed, many stayed until much later clinging to the hope that Tyler would emerge from the building. It was evident that there would be no show. I like many others dispersed into the surrounding pubs to grab a pint and commiserate.
Regardless of the event’s failure, I and many more will continue to eagerly hold out for the release of an official London gig where they can see IGOR live, which will be incredible regardless. (without being squashed on the streets of Peckham)
