What to expect at Rod Wave’s Don’t Look Down Tour: Set list, start time and more

There’s a sentiment that hip-hop no longer produces new superstars. If you believe the  lack of charting singles or social media conversation, that might be true. Unless you’re a fan of Rod Wave. The 28-year-old (born Rodarius Marcell Green) has carved a lane completely his own, one emo song at a time. The rapper/singer rose as a prominent voice in trap-soul with 2019’s “Heart on Ice” and released his debut album, Ghetto Gospel, shortly thereafter.

His music is not played heavily on mainstream radio and many millennials and older heads may have a hard time differentiating the songs in his catalog. However, to his fans, Rod Wave is the voice — the Gen-Z voice — of passion, pain and heartbreak. He’s released seven albums and scored four number-one albums on the Billboard 200, and seven top-20 entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Other than Taylor Swift, he is the only artist to debut a chart-topping solo album each year from 2021 to 2023.

Despite the numbers on the board, Rod Wave is still adjusting to fame and success. Like the name of his most recent album, Don’t Look Down, suggests, it’s scary up here.

Here’s what happened at the Brooklyn show at Barclays Center on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and what you need to know for future concerts.

Ultimate guide to Rod Wave’s “Don’t Look Down” Tour

Rod Wave does not hold back with his set list. He performed 29 songs without any break or intermission. So plan ahead! "We got a long night in this bitch,” he warned. 

Throughout his set, he alluded to the pains of fame and his new life. “A lot of people don't like me. If you don't like me, it ain't for you. I dedicate this part of the show to motherfuckers who hating,” he said at one point, urging fans to send this clip to a hater. Towards the end of the night, he became more contemplative about his celebrity. "New heights appear. Dreams keep getting bigger. I'm not looking down. I'm looking forward.”

Who is opening for Rod Wave and what time did Rod Wave come on?

The doors opened at 8:00 p.m. Given the expansive (and somewhat confusing seating) of Barclays Center, it’s advised to allow at least 15-20 minutes to get through security and find your way to your seat. I myself was in the wrong section during the entire opener’s set. 

Fridayy only went on at 9:10 p.m. and ended his set at 9:32 p.m.  The singer did seven songs including “Don’t Give Up On Me,” “Baddest in the Room” and “Saving My Love”. The highlight was the closer, “Proud of Me”, during which he was accompanied by Meek Mill. And based on the crowd’s frenzy over the Philly rapper, he’s still got it. 

Both Fridayy and Rod Wave were plagued by early sound issues. When Rod Wave took the stage at 10:00 p.m., his vocals were drowned out by the backing audio pretty significantly. However, fans in my section didn’t seem to realize or care. They were fully immersed in every single track from “Feed the Streets” to the encore “Green Light”.

During songs like “Sky Priority”, some near me were singing at the top of their lungs, as if every lyric punctuated a personal heartbreak in their life. As the opening notes to “Last Lap” played, the young woman in front of me turned to her friend and prefaced, “See if I can make it without crying!” And by the end, the two were hugging and live-streaming the moment to remember forever.

From the 25 section, the view of the stage is close but somewhat off-center. However, Rod Wave walked around the stage so fans around the periphery would be able to see him. Barclays is a big venue and the crowd spillage after a show ends can be somewhat disorganized, so it’s advised to leave during the last song to avoid traffic. The show officially ended at 11:28 p.m. and it took about 10 minutes to exit the venue and get outside using this strategy.

What songs did Rod Wave perform? What was the set list?

This show is meant for true Rod Wave fans. It’s advised that you listen up before going because the crowd was locked in —  on its feet and singing along the entire set. 

What did the stage and production look like?

While Rod Wave’s set list ran long, aesthetically, he’s a minimalist. He wore a Supreme hoodie by artist Masato Kawajo and denim shorts (perhaps a nod to his Florida roots). There were no wardrobe changes or fancy set design. The 360-degree stage was completely sparse, except for a ramp that occasionally rose so he could perform from it. During a few songs, such as “Federal Nightmares” and “Great Gatsby”, there was the presence of pyrotechnics with fireballs and flashes of light.

An accompanying band was present but mostly hidden at the side stage. I only realized they were there when an electric guitarist came to the main stage during “Karma” and “Already Won.” The band did add a nice accent to the show, and it would be nice to see more of them.

Does Rod Wave interact with fans during his shows? 

There was little interaction from Rod Wave although he was very cognizant of his fans’ role in getting him here. "I appreciate y’all and thank y’all for real,” he said. 

One fun thing is that many fans had LED wristbands that lit up in unison during various parts of the show. I’m not sure if these bands came with a specific purchase, such as alcohol, because I was not offered one and they were scattered throughout all sections.

What were fans wearing?

The Gen-Z audience of mostly women dressed in everything from faux furs and mini tennis skirts to corsets and leather. Many fans came in club attire with exposed skin and full hair and makeup.

There was a noticeable presence of couples as well, leading me to realize that Rod Wave’s music can double as a fun date night.

What does Rod Wave’s tour merch look like? 

There were T-shirts, baseball caps, and hoodies available to purchase. The line was significantly long before the show, and looked to be approximately 15-20 minutes of queue time.

​​Is the show family-friendly?

The show is not family-friendly. The explicit language in the music as well as a significant amount of weed and vaping makes this show more suitable for adults (and those not sensitive to smoke).

How should I get to Barclays Center?

Public transit is the easiest way to get to Barclays Center. Nine subway lines stop directly at the Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr station: the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R.

I took an Uber to the venue that added at least 20 minutes to the commute from Manhattan due to standstill traffic. After the show, meeting up with a rideshare was equally challenging due to street closings and pedestrian crossings.

How to get Rod Wave tickets on SeatGeek

Go over to Rod Wave’s artist page on SeatGeek and put in your location to see if there are any upcoming shows near you. Once you’ve found a show date, pick how many tickets you’re looking to buy and choose a seat using the interactive venue map.