Drain Gang 2022 Tour
After the COVID-19 pandemic locked an entire generation at home, through TikTok, they discovered one of the most influential artists of all time: Bladee.
When YEAR0001, their label at the time, announced that not just Bladee - but Ecco2k, and Thaiboy Digital would embark on their first ‘world tour,’ for a time: it became a cultural phenomenon, and transcended music. They sold out every date almost immediately, including two nights at New York City’s Knockdown Center, a former warehouse and 3,500 capacity venue.
Whilst in Scotland, I attended the last show of the UK leg of their tour in Glasgow. Upon my return to New York City, I was offered the opportunity to attend both nights at Knockdown Center in Queens free of charge. I took it.
For the first time, Bladee & Ecco2k had their moment. In the years that followed, the ‘world tour’ of 2022 would influence artists like Playboi Carti, and others.
‘In London, Zak steals the show’
After months in isolation, Londoners went wild in Kentish Town that night. Bladee himself has always had an affinity for London. And, because of the pandemic, most of continental Europe would not reopen venues. London was supposed to be one of the last stops. But due to the more relaxed restrictions in the UK at the time, it became his homecoming, and the first show of the tour.
But at the O2 Forum in London’s Kentish Town, Ecco2k stole the show. Arogundade performed nearly every song from his debut album, ‘e,’ along with other classics specific to his fans. However, the crowd was still satisfied. Watching Ecco2k perform ‘Peroxide’ is a cathartic experience nearly every time. And the setlist would change by Glasgow, just two stops later, after their show in Manchester.
(via r/sadboys)
On at least seventeen of thirty-one tracks above, Ecco2k features prominently.
‘In Glasgow, Bladee visits the ghost of October’
As a former fan, I think I have ‘permission’ to say this. But Arogundade’s conquest of ‘Drain Gang,’ his need for attention, and his vanity are three main reasons why I stopped listening to begin with. I like Ecco2k. I don’t, however, worship the ground he walks on. In New York City nightlife, word travels fast. And the word has been? Mr. Arogundade is a narcissist. So, when Bladee performed the fan favourite ‘Who Goes There’ from his debut album Eversince (2016), it was not only a welcome surprise: but a moment of catharsis for me personally. The fan base’s reaction to the dramatic changes to the setlist were overwhelmingly positive, as well.
It was unexpected seeing Bladee revisit Eversince for the first time. Watching Bladee once again revisit ‘The Ghost of October’ in Glasgow for the first time on tour was a jarring experience, but a fitting one. It was February in Scotland, and we queued for nearly an hour and half in the freezing rain.
(via r/sadboys)
Two young women arrive at Knockdown Center in New York City, dressed accordingly.
(Kristina Shakht / Dazed)
‘In Queens, Bladee sees his metamorphosis’
There was a tangible sense of chaos at Knockdown Center that Friday. Soundchecks that sounded “iffy,” along with other stressors. But at exactly the right moment Bladee needed to fly: he did. On that night in Queens, Bladee evolved into the star he always knew he could be. And to a large extent: already was.
Updated setlist for night one at Knockdown Center, featuring new songs they had released during their journey across the Atlantic like ‘The Flag is Raised,’ ‘Faust,’ and ‘Chaos Follows.’
‘In Stockholm: the platonic ideal of a Drain Gang performance’
By the end of their tour, and after multiple festival appearances, the trio returned to their hometown with a perfected setlist and stage design, after they had toured the U.S. and Europe.
‘It was like being in a film’
Final Setlist:
Bladee, Ecco2k & Thaiboy Digital: ‘Western Union’
Thaiboy Digital & Ecco2k: ‘Lip Service’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘Faust’
Bladee & Thaiboy Digital: ‘2X’
Ecco2k: ‘Cc’
Bladee, Ecco2k & Thaiboy Digital: ‘Victim’
Thaiboy Digital & Ecco2k: ‘Nosebleed’
Thaiboy Digital: ‘IDGAF’
Ecco2k: ‘HOLDMEDOWNLIKEGRAVITY’
Bladee: ‘Egobaby’
Bladee: ‘Reality Surf’
Ecco2k: ‘Calcium’
Thaiboy Digital: ‘I'm Fresh’
Ecco2k: ‘In The Flesh’
Bladee: ‘God’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘White Meadow’
Bladee & Thaiboy Digital: ‘Som Jag’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘Obedient’
Ecco2k: ‘Peroxide’
Bladee: ‘Who Goes There’
Ecco2k: ‘Blue Eyes’
Encore:
Bladee: ‘Be Nice 2 Me’
Bladee & Thaiboy Digital: ‘Side by Side’
‘Celebration:’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘Vanilla Sky’ (Kid Laroi - Stay Remix)
‘RELOAD, RELOAD, RELOAD.’
Bladee & Ecco2k: ‘The Flag is Raised’
Bladee: ‘The Fool Intro’
