Travis Scott’s Utopia – Circus Maximus tour was one of the most anticipated events of the year, especially for a fan like me. However, the Auckland show at Eden Park on October 30 was a mixed bag.
Left: Travis looking at the crowd
Right: Travis at the end of the show, walking out
The Good: A Unique Setlist with Surprises
Travis’s setlist featured a mix of fan favourites and underrated tracks, along with a live debut of “4X4,” a brand-new song that treated the audience. Everyone was filled with awe, realising we were some of the first people in the world who officially heard it. The track’s heavy production and intense energy made for a live performance that felt exciting, and it’s always thrilling to witness a song’s debut in person. Popular classics like “SICKO MODE,” “goosebumps,” and “90210” brought the energy expected from a Travis show.
Visually, the Circus Maximus production was top-notch. The stage design, lighting, and graphics raised the show to a cinematic level, perfectly complementing the futuristic, dystopian vibe of Utopia. Tracks like “Mamacita” and “MELTDOWN” were visual and auditory highlights, engaging the crowd for his whole set.
The Disappointments: A Show That Felt Rushed & Ticket Prices
While the setlist itself was exciting, the show did leave a lot to be desired. At just over 1 hour and 15 minutes, the performance felt far too short. Considering that other cities nearby, like Sydney and Melbourne, where Sydney was 1h 35m and Melbourne had the rare rendition of “Apple Pie”, Auckland seemed to get a watered-down version of what other cities have experienced.
Adding to the frustration was the ticketing fiasco. With prices gone down by up to 80% just days before the show, early buyers who paid $150 during the presale were sitting next to fans who got last-minute tickets for $30. Combined with the date change, many fans had to rearrange flights and accommodations, which understandably sparked anger across social media. While I spent $600 for my VIP tickets in the pit, I felt like it was worth it.
Left: Travis on the platform
Right: The last FE!N Travis played
The Opener and Crowd Energy
One of the night’s biggest issues was the lack of a proper opener. Other cities, like Sydney, had Sheck Wes with his internet-famous hit “Mo Bamba” to hype up the crowd, but Auckland got a short 15-minute set from DJ Lucky, a niche French DJ who no one had heard of or knew about, who played mostly unknown and UK drill tracks that didn’t hype up the crowd. Without a solid opener, the audience felt bored before Travis even hit the stage.
The crowd itself was another problem. While there were small pockets of energy, many areas seemed uninterested or low-energy, only waiting for hits like “FE!N”. Worse, fights broke out, physically had to have security drag people out. Concerts are meant to be community experiences, and seeing that kind of behaviour was disappointing.
The Missed Potential
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the Auckland show was the sense that it could have been so much more. The audio track played “We’re expecting guests,” raising expectations for something big. Instead, all we got were a few random people in gorilla suits wandering around. Meanwhile, other cities got appearances from major stars like The Weeknd.
Left: Travis with 2 fans he selected from the crowd
Right: One of the three gorillas that appeared
Final Thoughts
Despite the underwhelming aspects, there were still moments that reminded me why Travis Scott is one of my favourite artists. His energy on tracks like “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM” and “BUTTERFLY EFFECT” was infectious, and the production was top-tier. However, the short setlist, lack of a proper opener, and low crowd energy made the night feel like Auckland got a “lite” version of this tour.
My final verdict: 9/10
Setlist
HYAENA
THANK GOD
MODERN JAM
Aye (Lil Uzi Vert feat. Travis Scott)
sdp interlude
Mo City Flexologist
BACKR00MS (Playboi Carti feat. Travis Scott)
Type Shit (Future & Metro Boomin feat. Travis Scott)
Nightcrawler
SIRENS
Upper Echelon
Praise God (Ye feat. Travis Scott)
GOD’S COUNTRY
MY EYES
BUTTERFLY EFFECT
HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
Mamacita
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
I KNOW ?
90210
MELTDOWN
TOPIA TWINS
NO BYSTANDERS
FE!N
FE!N
FE!N
FE!N
FE!N
SICKO MODE
4X4 (New song)
goosebumps
TELEKINESIS
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