Cynthia Todd, MavRadio News Director
Smoke machines, confetti, flying cake and deafening screams is exactly what to expect at a Hoodie Allen show.
Die-hard fans and hundreds of college-aged students gathered to the Sokol Auditorium Saturday night to attend Allen’s “People Keep Talking” tour. Allen said it was the first show to sell out and the energy was definitely in the air.
Every inch of the venue was packed with hundreds of attendees filling the balcony alone. The 1500 capacity building shook from beginning to end.
Allen opened the show with “People Keep Talking” and kept the crowd pumped with songs like “Movie” and “Small Town.” He played old favorites for those who have followed his success from the building.
“I really appreciate all of you guys,” Allen said.
Throughout the show, bras were thrown all over the stage so Allen could take part in his tradition of “bra jump roping.” He then threw massive sheet cakes into the audience during his song “Cake Boy” and launched a major cake fight.
Everyone sang along to Allen’s new single “All About It,” which features Ed Sheeran and is working its way up to radio play. Allen then brought a couple on stage where Matt proposed to his girlfriend Amber in front of everyone. The audience awed and some tears were shed, but the party kept moving.
As the show came to an end, crowd surfing and rave dancing broke out during Allen’s last few songs. He jumped into the audience on a river raft before falling off five seconds later and kept the crowd pumped by having a DJ play music while machines filled the venue with colorful smoke and lights.
Those who are unfamiliar with Allen might find his concert antics a bit strange, but he gave his fans exactly what they wanted and it was easy to tell everyone loved every minute.
He constantly let everyone know how thankful he was to be in Omaha and showed his appreciation by meeting 100 fans after the show and sat at his merchandise table to sign T-shirts for everyone who walked up.
Allen may be an up-and-coming rapper, but proved he has a loyal and strong fan base in Nebraska.
“I don’t usually say this, but it’s a Saturday night in Omaha,” Allen said before exiting the stage. “Come hang out afterwards and let’s do this.”
