Don Toliver Gives a Mind-Blowing Performance in London

Don Toliver turned The O2 Arena into a full-blown sensory overload. During the UK leg of his “Hardstone Psycho Tour,” the rapper created a show full of mosh pits, unpredictable stage design, and sonic chaos. And if London didn’t know what was coming, they do now.

Before Don even touched the stage, DJ and rising phenom Dr McDaniels kicked off the night with a riotous 45-minute set. The performance felt less like an opener and more like an adrenaline-fueled initiation. With tracks like Ski Mask’s “Take a Step Back” and Drake’s “Nokia,” McDaniels had the crowd in full beast mode. The TikTok-famous DJ didn’t just warm up the room. He scorched it, leaving fans drenched in sweat and begging for more.

The Rap Star Pulls a Stunning Entrance

So, when Don Toliver finally emerged, earlier than expected, he did so in dramatic fashion. The legend was seated at a piano inside a suspended metal cage. Thus, he was teasing fans with a haunting intro that veered off-script. The arena erupted as he swerved into “KRYPTONITE,” the tour’s go-to opener. Don flipped the vibe from cinematic to sheer chaos in a matter of seconds. Flames shot up from the stage, smoke bled into the crowd, and guitarist Spikes shredded his way into the spotlight. Adding up a face-melting solo that seamlessly transitioned into the crowd-favorite “TORE UP.”And that’s when the real madness started.

If “TORE UP” is Toliver’s “Fein,” this live version is its metal-drenched twin. It is completed with industrial-grade pyrotechnics, strobe-heavy visuals, and a mosh pit that felt like a war zone. Sparks rained from the stage while fans screamed every word. At that point, it was less of a concert and more of a full-blown ritual.

But Don Toliver knows how to pace a show. Mid-set, he pulled things back slightly with smoother cuts like “Cardigan” and “4×4.” Thus, he gave the crowd just enough room to breathe. Still, the energy never dropped. Thanks in part to Spikes, whose guitar work kept the momentum high, and a dynamic stage design that evolved constantly.

Don Toliver Pulls Showstoppers in London

Then came the showstopper: the floating cage.
Watching Toliver rise above the crowd in real time was something else entirely. As his cage moved across the arena, the experience felt both futuristic and surreal. Though it was arguably more impressive for those in the seats than those on the floor.

Still, not every moment was flawless. There were points where Toliver’s presence slipped—literally vanishing from view. While the backing tracks played, he chimed in sporadically. Midway through, he paused to film content for an upcoming video. Thus, he left the crowd in a bit of a lull.
Yet, then he hit them with the unreleased heat.

“Call Back” sent a ripple through the arena. Additionally, the sneak peeks from “JACKBOYS 2” only added to the hype. The performance of “FIELD TRIP” was another standout. The performance was elevated by the intimacy of a front-row vantage, but nothing matched the second round of “TORE UP.” With Spikes once again going nuclear on the guitar, it was a sonic gut-punch that lasted five feral minutes.

The “Hardstone Psycho Tour” isn’t just a show. It’s an event. A visual, physical, and emotional overload that straddles the line between rave and rock opera. Even if DonToliver rapped less than during his previous UK run, the spectacle more than compensated. Add in Dr McDaniels’ explosive opener and Spikes’ next-level guitar heroics, and the night was a fever dream worth chasing. Here’s hoping the madness returns to the UK sooner rather than later.