On April 19, 2025, Kendrick Lamar and SZA kicked off their much-anticipated “Grand National Tour” at Minneapolis’ U.S Bank Stadium. Kendrick Lamar and SZA delivered a show that brought compelling visuals, an engaging crowd, and a well-paced performance. With an estimated number of 50,000 people in the crowd, I think most people would agree with me that it was one of the most well-thought-out and unforgettable concerts ever.
With not many people knowing if someone would be opening for Kendrick and SZA, out came DJ Mustard, who began the evening with a jolt of energy. Mustard is known for producing Lamar’s hit diss track “Not Like Us” as well as multiple tracks on the new “GNX” album. His DJ set was a blend of remixed classics and bass-heavy transitions that kept the crowd buzzing. Fans danced and shouted lyrics to reworked beats of familiar songs, particularly when he played “We are Young” by Fun. towards the end of his set. People were jumping and swaying around before the concert even began, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Kendrick Lamar’s entrance felt more like the opening scene of a film than a concert. Throughout the concert, they played multiple clips that they put together that felt like a show of its own. He emerged slowly from a matte black Buick that’s seen on the album cover for “GNX.” He launched immediately into “Whacked Out Murals” and “Squabble up.” These new tracks, rich in lyricism, were, in my opinion, the perfect opening songs as they were high in energy and easy to sing along to for most fans. A breathtaking narrative arc followed, threading newer cuts from GNX with staples from across his discography. Lamar played around five songs before SZA came out and joined him. I thought Lamar moved fluidly between rage, reflection, and resilience, delivering each verse with such precision and emotional weight. Specifically during “DNA,” screens behind him exploded in a montage of cultural icons, riots, and more, which really turned it into a full-body experience. His classics, such as “Poetic Justice” and “Swimming Pools,” brought waves of nostalgic cheers and crowd-wide sing-alongs, but what really left an imprint was when he played “Not Like Us,” with verses that had the stadium shaking. I personally really enjoyed that he played some of his old songs, since they were the ones that made me discover him.
When SZA hit the stage, the energy shifted in the best way. She began her set alongside Kendrick with “30 for 30,” their voices harmonizing in an amazing duet that captured me immediately. Her voice was flawless live, and some of her visuals that accompanied her were underwater themes, glowing lighting, and surreal graphics. As a fan for a long time, I was so excited to sing along to some of her hit songs from the “Ctrl” album that she started out with. Although the standout performances and singing from the crowd were mainly from her songs in “SOS.” SZA would encourage the crowd to sing with her and gave her all in her dancing just as much as her singing. SZA commanded the stage and connected with us very well, making it feel like we were all part of her world for a while until it was time for Kendrick to come out again.
As I mentioned earlier, Kendrick and SZA alternated with who played, while then stopping to also play songs together. Going into this, I thought there was no way that they would leave that stadium without playing “All the Stars,” and I was right. It was another amazing part of the concert since it’s such a classic within their collection of songs they’ve done together. I’ve been wanting to hear this song live for what feels like forever, so it was such a surreal moment in the stadium for me. They had beams of lighting going from the ceiling to the stage, perfect for the theme of the song. The crowd even had their flashlights on, also adding to the song’s experience. But then they also had many other moments together, for example, “Luther” and “Gloria,” which was the closing song for the night.
The opening night of the Grand National tour was a multi-sensory experience. Kendrick Lamar and SZA offered fans something greater than any of us could have imagined. With cinematic storytelling and performances that left my heart racing and spirits lifted, Minneapolis witnessed something out of the ordinary. I’m giving my experience 5 stars because of how entranced I was after the night ended, including how they successfully blended both of their styles within 52 songs, something that sets them apart from so many other concerts. This memory will linger in my head forever like the final echo of “Gloria.” The bar has been set sky-high, and I’m excited to follow their tour, wishing I could return to when I was experiencing it.
SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s “The Grand National Tour”: ★★★★★
