My Experience at Jack Harlow’s Come Home the Kids Miss You Tour
On December 28, 2021, my sister and I enthusiastically helped each other curate captivating outfits in anticipation of Jack Harlow’s show at Coca Cola Roxy for his Crème de la Crème Tour. Once we were satisfied with our attire, we trampled downstairs to get in the car. However, to our surprise, our mother was waiting at the kitchen counter with condolence smeared across her face. “Hear me out,” she said, as my excitement turned to skepticism. She explained to my sister and I that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was responsible for tens of thousands of new daily infections, and attending a rap concert in a venue as tight as Roxy was unwise. Reluctantly, my sister and I agreed and decided to not attend the show. That’s What They All Say was one of my favorite albums through 2021, so I was thrilled to see him perform. However, I understood that, given the circumstances, attendance would be unadvisable.
Naturally, my sister and I eagerly waited months for another tour announcement from Harlow, and once he released his sophomore album and declared the tour dates, my sister bought tickets for her, myself, and one of my friends immediately for his show at State Farm Arena in October 2022. Similar to my experience at The Kid LAROI’s show in August, I noticed several decisions Jack Harlow made to keep attendants engaged.
After hip-hop duo City Girls gave their opening performance and Harlow worked through about half the show, the lights dimmed for what seemed to be an interlude. After a few minutes of instrumental music, the lights brightened and revealed the show set changed to a small garage with a band inside and a basketball hoop above the garage door. Harlow invited a few fans onstage to make three shots, and once they recieved their prizes, two other people got an opportunity—comedian Druski and basketball player Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.
Naturally, the audience was feverish to see both celebrities make their shots. Trae Young easily made his shots—as any worthy NBA player would—while Druski hilariously missed all three shots in the most theatric way possible—arms flailing and eyes bawling as any worthy comedian would. Then, attendants were fortunate enough for one more surprise. Rather abruptly, the lights dimmed once again, and the instantly-recognizable instrumental of Lil Baby’s song “Freestyle” began to play. The song is referred to by some as an “Atlanta anthem,” so naturally, the crowd erupted.
Harlow’s show at State Farm Arena was a great experience, and I gained respect for him as a performer as a result. I felt he did a terrific job choosing a setlist that encompassed much of his catalogue—from his older EPs, to his debut album (my personal favorite album, and the one I had initially bought tickets for last December), to his sophomore album. I enjoyed my time at the show, and I’ll remain looking for another tour announcement—hopefully, safe from Omicron.
