The Grand National Tour, hosted by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, kicked off its first show in Minneapolis on April 19 and will conclude on August 9 in Stockholm, Sweden. The tour supports Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX and SZA’s SOS Deluxe: Lana.
Their collaboration on “Luther” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 on March 1, and the song has spent 12 consecutive weeks at number one. It became both of the artists’ longest running chart-topper. This will be the first time SZA and Kendrick Lamar share a tour despite years of collaboration and their standout hit “All the Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack. SZA’s SOS (2022) had multiple Grammy wins and massive streaming success.
“My favorite moments were definitely when they were singing together. It was really fun, and each artist expressed themselves differently,” junior Cecilia Spaeth said.
The Minneapolis opener grossed $9.1 million from over 47,000 fans who paid an average of $192.70 per ticket. This attendance surpassed Eminem’s record from his 2019 concert. For these two generational talents, this marks the duos first ever co-headlining tour. They are both known for strong live performances and loyal fan bases.
“The energy was amazing, I think people were a little too excited, screaming the lyrics so other people couldn’t really hear the artists,” junior Chloe Rymal said.
Kendrick Lamar’s sets included mute lighting and synchronized choreography. SZAs sets included vibrant, nature-inspired visuals, including a life size ant structure. These two distinct styles kept all audience members engaged with each set change. There were nine acts with a total of 52 songs. Most acts were solo performances by either Lamar or SZA with the fifth and ninth acts being collaborations.
“The dancers stood out to me most, and the costumes at this concert, they were different but interesting,” Rymal said.
When Kendrick and SZA announced they would be going on tour, fans exploded with excitement. Both artists have consistently promised fans they would see them perform together live, and these promises fueled the anticipation. DJ Mustard served as the opener in the Minneapolis concert. Special guests so far in the tour include Baby Keem, Keytranada and Playboi Carti.
Junior Isabel Isaacson said she thought the whole show was really put together, and all the acts flowed into one another nicely.
The Grand National Tour has sparked a new type of power for both artists with their collaborations being top hits in the US. Their different styles compliment each other in effortless ways. They have 29 upcoming shows until the conclusion of their tour on August 9. As the Grand National Tour rolls on, it is clear that it is not just a concert, but a cultural movement. For those lucky enough to attend, this tour is an unforgettable experience.
