As the lights drop out and “I see dead people” comes over the speaker, the noise the crowd makes might be the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never attended a stadium show before, so I was extremely intrigued to see how the home of the Eagles would hold the sound of a blockbuster hip-hop concert, and I was not disappointed. Kendrick Lamar and SZA brought the sound and sights of their Grand National Tour to a jam-packed Lincoln Financial Field on cloudy Monday night in Philadelphia.
SZA on the Grand National tour | photo by Cassidy Meyers | courtesy of the artist
These two amazing and celebrated musicians could have easily toured and sold out arenas individually, but instead decided to combine their abilities and audiences to take over stadiums this summer…and man did they do it. Hot off the release of his sixth album GNX and his much publicized beef with Drake, Kendrick Lamar is riding the high of highs career wise, so I wasn’t surprised to see such a crowd come out to see the phenomenal artist at maybe his peak. I was surprised, however, to see just as many (if not more) there to see an artist like SZA, who I’ve followed since her Z EP in 2014. To watch her go in 11 years from tiny venues to stadiums is legitimately inspiring. The two artists shared the stage perfectly; rather than one opening and one headlining, Kendrick and SZA brilliantly weaved together a back-and-forth series of shorter individual sets, coming together for collaborative moments like “All The Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack and “luther” from GNX.
Kendrick Lamar on the Grand National tour | photo by Greg Noire | courtesy of the artist
DJ Mustard opened the night with an incredible set that led directly into a black GNX rising out of the stage as the horns and vocals of “wacced out murals” played and we were off. Kendrick proceeded to run through a litany of hits, some new and old, then SZA took the stage and tore it down as well. As both artists went back and forth, their stage shows were stunning with dozens of dancers backed by video screens showing art to accompany the setlist. A personal favorite was probably the giant praying mantis that was a part of several SZA songs – including “Kill Bill” where the female mantis killed the male to SZA’s lyrics about thinking about killing an ex.
Even after nearly a three-hour show under the stars of a breezy Philly evening, I left wildly impressed and wanting more, just like a great show should leave you. The Grand National tour continues this spring across North America and Europe, including a June 16th show at Hersheypark Stadium; details here.
Kendrick Lamar on the Grand National tour | photo by Greg Noire | courtesy of the artist