BY Aydin Visanji | December 12th, 2025
When I arrived at HISTORY, dozens of fans were already outside braving the cold. Even the freezing temperatures couldn’t deter concertgoers from lining up in anticipation for Earl Sweatshirt’s Toronto stop on the Live Laugh Love Tour.
I entered the venue, the buzz of the excited audience filling the air. Just minutes before the first of four openers took the stage, fans were packed to the barricade awaiting the performance. To start off Cletus Strap took the stage. As an underground artist, I had not heard Cletus Strap’s songs prior to the concert – his energy and flow were a pleasant surprise that warmed up the crowd very well for the rest of the concert. His songs “Black & Mild” and “On One” (give it a listen for a classic sample flip!) were hits.
Just minutes after the first opener was Niontay, who brought punchy production, although I was not a fan of his fairly flat vocal delivery. Next was Zelooperz of Bruiser Brigade Records, an independent label formed by Danny Brown. Zelooperz brought a more aggressive, but entertaining performance. Fans moshed to the experimental production of his tracks, and I was particularly surprised when a dance battle broke out midway through his set. Following Zelooperz was Liv.e, another underground artist who blends a beautiful singing voice with sample-filled production. I found myself struggling to pinpoint a specific genre to Liv.e, which just speaks to her versatility and talents. The choice to have four openers definitely made the concert feel much more packed, but it also kept energy high and is something I hope more artists experiment with – especially at more intimate venues.
As Earl took the stage at around 10pm, the crowd was electric. He came on the stage to Riot!, an instrumental classic from his album Some Rap Songs. The rapper’s stage presence was remarkable, having fans captivated with his every move. He transitioned to songs from his newest album (and the namesake of the tour), Live Laugh Love. As a longtime fan of Earl’s music, I was elated to be hearing tracks up close that I’ve been listening to for years now.
His performance was a roller coaster of high and low energy, reflecting his extensive catalogue. I particularly loved his performance of Heat Check, which was definitely elevated by the packed crowd of diehard fans shouting the chorus. This was a rare concert where everyone in attendance seemed to know every word to even his less mainstream tracks. Another highlight was E. Coli, with fans erupting as Earl rapped the opening, “My thoughts, dreams, plots and my schemes.” The incredible lighting and sound mix heightened the experience a lot, adding a new layer to a song I’ve played countless times.
One gripe I had was the intermission, in which openers retook the stage to perform their tracks. While it added to the “anything-goes” vibe of the concert and Earl’s intention of highlighting less prominent artists, it did cause some momentum to be lost, especially following up some of Earl’s most emotional tracks. However, seeing his friendships with the openers on stage was heartwarming, which redeemed this for me. Earl continued to breeze through his catalogue, performing Fire in the Hole and Loose Change, which were incredible to hear live.
Earl Sweatshirt ended off with exhaust, from his new album. The closing words “At the end of the day it’s just you and whatever you think, I’m airmailing you strength,” were perfect to wrap up an emotional, nostalgic, and energetic performance. The 3L World Tour’s Toronto stop was a concert I am glad I didn’t miss – you should definitely check this one out if there is a tour date where you are.
