By Jessica Salinas
(OMAHA, Neb.)- Omaha was the first stop in the second leg of Post Malone’s 2020 Runaway tour. The CHI Health Center Arena was packed with 15-thousand Posty fans ready to sing and dance to his numerous Top Ten hits.
The multi-platinum rapper kept every fan on their feet for the entire show from his opening song “Hollywood is Bleeding” to his last song “Congratulations.”
In 2018, Malone released his latest album Beerbongs & Bentleys that crushed records in just four days. The tracks attracted a large demographic which was evident by the attendance. Those in the audience ranged from 20-somethings, to teens, to elementary-aged children accompanying their parents.
Openers for Post’s show performed equally as energetic. Tyla Yaweh, who gave out his phone number and sent a number of female fans into a frenzy; followed by Swae Lee, who performed his biggest hits and a new song from his unreleased album. The artist also provided a phone number, but insisted it was a fan hotline.
Post Malone came out around 9:45 p.m. in an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt and blue jeans.
After performing “Hollywood Bleeds” and “Circles” Malone asked, “Are you ready to hear some shitty music tonight?” The sold-out crowd was evidence it was anything but that. A light show so vivid it actually scared the audience a few times. However, that was in contrast to a simple stage, one resembling a catwalk. It was all the songwriter needed to captivate the audience for his entire set.
He performed one hit after another with some heartfelt connections between songs. At one point he told the audience, “Live your life since you don’t know your last day.” A reference to NBA All-star, Kobe Bryant’s recent death. Malone is known for his iconic vocals and his introspective lyrics, and both were on display when he sat in the middle of the stage with an acoustic guitar performing “Stay.” The rapper told the crowd he was nervous to play guitar, until the crowd chanted “Posty.”
His shoulders relaxed, a grin of confidence, and a moment shared between him and thousands of fans.
Fans were excited to see Swae Lee back on stage to perform “Sunflower.” Swae Lee brought out sunflowers that Post Malone threw to the crowd.
As Swae Lee left, Post Malone went into “Rockstar” mode which was the highlight of the night’s performance. Smashing the same guitar he had brought out minutes earlier when he sang “Stay.”
Post Malone performed for about an hour and 15 minutes with a few small breaks between songs. In the downtime, fans saw him hydrate with a drink from a blue Bud Light cup. After that, the 24-year-old revved up the crowd as he smoked in the middle of his latest hit “Circles.” The artist genuinely seemed to enjoy his time on stage.
Malone ended his performance with a “thank you” to the Omaha crowd for coming out on a cold February night. In the fun-loving fashion he’s known for, Post Malone encouraged his followers to continue to party and simply have a fun night. As the crowd shuffled out of the packed arena, the sweat, the laughs, the cups and litter adorning the floor, proved it was a party for Post Malone, Swae Lee and Tyla Yaweh and 15-thousand of their best friends.
