When Fortnite held its Marshmello concert back in February of 2019, the show mostly consisted of a digital stage where the EDM artist played some of his most popular songs as players hopped around the area and watched. This is about what I expected when a Travis Scott Fortnite show was announced, but the team behind this event took things far beyond what I could have ever anticipated.
As you drop into the Travis-themed "Astronomical" Fortnite event, you'll first notice a stage set up near the edge of the map, which is presumably where things will begin. However, the stage is simply there for misdirection, and you've officially been strapped in for something far more than just a virtual concert.
Sicko Mode 2.0
The show begins with the song "Sicko Mode" as Drake's familiar introduction from the 2018 hit starts to play. Right as the bass begins to drop, and those watching expect Travis to appear on stage, players are launched into the air, where a massive projection of the artist emerges and begins performing.
When the song would normally transition into its iconic beat switch, we're instead thrust into the second portion of "Stargazing", as the sky turns red and the surrounding stars begin revolving around the massive projection of Travis. All the while an ever-changing Astroworld-themed planet levitates in the sky.
Goosebumps From Goosebumps
This continues until the sky changes back to a purplish-blue tone, at which point the giant Travis, who now has half of his face replaced by a Terminator-inspired cyborg skull, drops down to the grown as his 2016 hit "Goosebumps" begins to play.
As the song continues, the ground disappears, at which point you're officially a part of a Travis Scott music video. Colorful strokes of light begin to vibrate across the screen with patterns resembling a Lite-Brite. At the same time, your character's color constantly changes as a patterned Travis continues to perform in front of you.
When "Goosebumps" is finished, you're immediately transported to an underwater world, as Travis' more recent hit "Highest In The Room" begins to play. This portion is likely the most cinematic of the entire experience, as you slowly ascend upon a floating, colorful Travis Scott wearing a deep sea diving helmet on his head, which is also available as an in-game skin named "Astro Jack."
You'll see some giant jellyfish swimming above your head, before "Sicko Mode" makes its return with the portion that was expected to follow the first half of the song earlier on. We now see Astro Jack dancing on a digital dance floor with green lasers covering the skies. Towards the end of the song, players begin falling towards a nonexistent ground as purple streaks of light surround them.
A Brand New Single
Finally, you're transported to an anti-gravity realm that looks like it's somewhere just above the earth's atmosphere. The Astroworld-themed planet flies back into the mix, as Travis debuts a brand new song, "THE SCOTTS," a collaboration with Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi.
When this song is finished, you'll drop into the regular map, and play out a short game where the first team to 125 kills wins. It's a bit of an underwhelming way to finish the event, but it certainly doesn't take away from what took place beforehand.
What A Ride
Simply put, Travis Scott's Fortnite concert is a technical achievement. The fact that it takes place in a mainstream cartoonish battle royale game might stop some people from taking it seriously, but the event is nothing short of a milestone in game development and its integration with music.
"Astronomical" is essentially an interactive music video that takes the medium to another level. Players are transported to a fantastical universe that is created to represent Travis' music, and the experience ends up being something far more immersive than anything you might see in your standard music video.
Simply put, I'm beyond impressed by what the team behind this project was able to create. I expected a Fortnite Travis Scott skin standing on stage rapping a few songs, and I stumbled into something far more artistic and captivating that what I could have imagined. Hats off to the developers and designers behind this project.
If you want to catch Travis' Fortnite show for yourself, he will be performing again on April 24 at 10 am EDT, and then three separate times on April 25 — midnight, 11am, and 6pm EDT. If you're a hip-hop fan, a Fortnite fan, or even just a visual arts fan, it's absolutely worth your time.