Live Review: Travis Scott @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney

To call Travis Scott’s CIRCUS MAXIMUS tour performance a ‘concert’ would be doing it a complete disservice.

To call it a spectacle for the ages that evokes the spirit of the Ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium that inspired its name, however, would just about do it. The Circus Maximus tour was originally designed for 150,000 spectators to gnaw their teeth and soak in the thrill of ineluctable live entertainment. Similar scenes have been conjured here at Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s Moore Park here tonight. 

Steeped in thrill and sweaty gym palms, electricity charges through the air of the stadium like a sizzling wire. From the moment you walk into the stadium, you become acutely aware of one thing: this is Scott’s battle arena, and this is where he reigns supreme. 

The battleground, or stage, if you will, resembles a rockface with a vast catwalk. It appears like the ruins of the Roman empire, with carvings that have been set in stone for centuries. It sets the scene well for what promises to be an ambitious display of artistry from one of the 21st century’s pre-eminent rappers. 

As the clock approaches 8:00 pm, the crowd fills the stadium like jigsaw pieces to a puzzle. A swirling mass of sweaty bodies ripples from below. 

After a series of warmup acts stoke the energy, the lights dim, and the anticipation builds. “Greetings from Utopia. Before the show starts, open that shit up,” a voice booms from the speakers, accompanied by a black-and-white video of Scott walking to the stage entrance. He snarls at the camera; our gladiator was ready. 

“Put your hands in the air now,” Scott shouts back at the audience. The crowd wilfully obeys. Flames erupted from all sides of the stage as he dived into HYAENA from his latest album, UTOPIA. The infectious energy sweeps through the audience like a contagion, uniting them in a cathartic celebration of sound. 

“It feels so fucking good to be in Sydney, Australia tonight. Yo, if we do this tour, there’s no fucking way we do not come down under to Australia,” Scott postulated to the audience. “I just wanna see the best of Sydney right now.” 

Next, Scott jumps into the trap-infused THANK GOD. The song instantly gets the crowd singing along, chanting back every lyric with a delicious fervour. 

This becomes something of a common theme in Scott’s performance. After Scott’s every command, the crowd eagerly follow. You see, here, Scott reigns supreme. Here, he’s a modern gladiator surveying a sea of eager fans, ready for battle.

Commanding the stage with a theatrical presence, Scott effortlessly transitions between tracks. My initial fears that Scott’s gig would fall into the familiar trap of feeling one note were soon eased. Jumping into various tracks from his albums, Birds In The Trap, Rodeo, UTOPIA and ASTROWORLD. 

Modern Jam showcases his lyrical wit, while Nightcrawler emerges as a standout moment of the night. For the song, Scott invited five fans to join him on stage. They were completely bewildered by the fact that they were on stage with their idol. 

Each song is a masterclass in innovative production, with FE!N performed in six variations, each of which set off even greater electricity within the crowd. It was here that I also noted how truly generous of a performer Scott is. 

As he progresses through his setlist, it becomes clear that this performance is far from one-dimensional. Scott draws on his love for Broadway, infusing theatrical elements into his showmanship. Despite being alone on stage, he captivates thousands, holding their attention with an almost tangible energy.

His signature streetwear reflects his unique style, while stunning visuals—flashing lights, animated graphics, and pyrotechnics—create an atmosphere that blurs the line between concert and performance art. The night is a carnival of sound and spectacle, a whirlwind of noise and emotion that leaves an indelible mark.

Then came the energetic height of Goosebumps, one of Scott’s hits. It was the kind of song that, bellowing down at his audience, “I get those goosebumps every time, yeah, you come around, yeah,” the song stoked the fires of one of the wildest crowds I have seen in a while. It was here that the crowd’s energy truly reached a fever pitch.  

This is probably one of the wildest crowds I have seen in a long time. Once a protégé of Kanye West, Scott knows how to electrify a crowd. How to set a light in play and watch it roll. It’s been over eight years since his last Australian performance at the intimate Metro Theatre show back in 2016. Tonight, he stands before 45,000 fans who bow down to him like a Greek God. 

It’s rare to think an artist like Scott would ever feel humbled about the turn his career has taken. But here tonight, there appears to be a slightly humbling of him. Since he last came to Australia, Scott has welcomed two children into the world and has clearly grown as a person and an artist.

For all the controversy Scott generates, tonight, he truly comes across as a deeply caring artist. One who says and does things that are divisive, but someone who deeply cares about the work and giving fans an experience that will leave an indelible mark. 

Finishing off his performance with TELEKINESIS featuring SZA and Future, the song showcases Scott’s versatility, effortlessly blending trap, psychedelic, and rock influences. However, by this point in the night, it became apparent he claimed victory long ago. 

The CIRCUS MAXIMUS tour at Allianz Stadium is not just a concert; it’s a cultural moment, an unforgettable experience that redefines what a live performance can be. As fans emerge from the mosh pit, soaked and charged like batteries, it’s clear that Travis Scott has once again proven himself as a titan of the stage—a visionary artist whose impact on music and culture will echo on his juniors for years to come.