Audiences at Machine Gun Kelly’s Wednesday night performance might’ve thought that his entrance via prop helicopter would be the most shocking part of the show. Maybe they were especially impressed by the plumes of fire shooting out from behind the artist, or the giant blimp shaped as a man hovering over the stage. But the rapper and singer was saving the best surprise (well, for those who missed the Instagram story) of the night for later: a visit from blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
The show, which was one of MGK’s last stops in the U.S. for his Mainstream Sellout tour, kicked off in a nearly-packed Enterprise Center. Its 40-minute opening act was headed by singer-songwriter Willow. Beneath a banner with her name scrawled in black lettering, Willow danced, mimed air guitar, and knelt on stage as she performed hits including “t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” and “Wait a Minute!” When her set closed with a spray of purple streamers, she shouted to the crowd, “Y’all ready to see Machine Gun Kelly?”
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They were.
In a scene more befitting a James Bond movie, MGK rose from a pit—clad in a sparkling sequined vest—aboard the ladder of a prop helicopter. He performed his first number, “born with horns,” while still dangling rather precariously above the crowd.
What followed was a two-hour production that spared no element of spectacle. As MGK traipsed across the stage, rose into the air on an elevated platform, and even ventured out into the audience, pyrotechnics and visual effects kept the audience guessing. His backing band, including members Sophie Lloyd, Brandon Allen, Steve Basil, and Justin Lyons, matched his high-energy performance.
Midway through his set, MGK invited Barker to join him on the drums. This isn’t the first time Barker has appeared at the Mainstream Sellout tour—last month, he made his return to the stage with the tour after suffering life-threatening pancreatitis. This time around, MGK told the crowd, Barker was playing despite an injured thumb. The two performed several songs together, including “I Think I’m OKAY,” “Bloody Valentine,” and “All the Small Things,” a song originally by blink-182. Following Barker’s appearance, Willow briefly re-emerged to join MGK for their collaboration, “emo girl.”
MGK dedicated the final song of the night, “twin flame,” to his fiancée, Megan Fox. His passionate vocals were accompanied by a cloud of rose petals that shot out over the arena. As the song wound down, MGK spoke directly to fans.
“I got one wish, and it’s that we can always perform and you’ll always show up,” he said. “I love you so much!”
For more photos from the show, visit https://bit.ly/MGK22cz.
