Drake / Migos / Roy Woods

Scotiabank Arena, Toronto ON, August 21

Photo: Matt Forsythe

BY Erin LowersPublished Aug 22, 2018

9
After two tour delays and the first Toronto date unexpectedly postponed, the "Aubrey & The Three Migos Tour" finally hit the Scotiabank Arena on August 21.
 
Following a performance from Roy Woods, who brought out fellow OVO artist Baka, Migos took the stage — albeit without Offset, who was arrested in Georgia at the end of July, leaving Takeoff and Quavo to perform the Canadian date as a duo. Wearing red hoodies scripted with the words "Do It For the Culture," Quavo and Takeoff delivered a full set performing fan favourites like "Fight Night," "Bad & Boujee" and "Ric Flair Drip," while trading the responsibility of filling in Offset's verses. Later in the night, Migos would return with Drake to perform 2014 hit "Versace" for the first time in Toronto, as well as "Walk It Like I Talk It."
 
To a roaring crowd, Drake entered the arena performing "A-Side" cuts from Scorpion ("8 Out of 10," "Mob Ties," "Talk Up") behind an enclosed LED screen and stage, which projected dark clouds and lightning befitting the moody soundtrack. As the screen lifted, so did Drake's energy. Diving into his robust catalogue through a too-thick cloud of smoke, he performed a medley of songs dating back to 2011 ("HYFR" and "The Motto"), feature verses ("Come My Way" and "Way Up") and Toronto-specific anthems ("Know Yourself" and "Started From the Bottom" very quickly. Drake's performance became less about "What will he perform?" than "What won't he perform?" 
 
Getting into his feelings, Drake performed "Emotionless" before diving into a risky cover of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You"; fortunately, it was met with crowd approval. What followed next was the dance portion of the night: "Controlla" (mixed with KRS-One's "Sound of da Police"), "One Dance" and Rihanna's "Work" played back to back with choreography from Tanisha Scott, and was wrapped up with the crowd singing an a cappella version of "Fake Love." Yelled Drake, "That's why, ladies and gentlemen, Toronto is forever the untouchable city on tour!"
 
With the help of some drones and laser-light stage lighting, the stage was recreated into a basketball court for a "half-time show" wherein Cory Joseph unfortunately missed all three shots to make a basket. However, the bigger win was a surprise performance from Travis Scott, who joined Drake to perform "Sicko Mode" for the first time, as well as his own rager anthem "Goosebumps."
 
With or without the theatrics (including a floating yellow Ferrari LaFerrari and the stage projected into a swimming pool with "women" swimming under him), the guests and the energy, Drake captured the heart of the city — and the city had his.
 
"[Toronto] I love you, I'm proud of you. You made me the man I am today. You made me the artist I am today. I'ma rep you until the day they take me off this earth.
 
"Toronto," he closed, "I'm forever yours."
 
 

A post shared by Exclaim! (@exclaimdotca) on

 
Drake's albums Scorpion, Views, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, What a Time to Be Alive and Take Care, and Migos' latest album Culture II, are all available via Umusic.

Latest Coverage