Kendrick Lamar & SZA Start Grand National Tour in Minneapolis
Kendrick Lamar and SZA made history last night as they launched their highly anticipated Grand National Tour with a powerful, sold-out performance at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a crowd of over 66,000 fans in attendance, the two global superstars delivered an unforgettable night filled with hits, emotional resonance, and masterful stagecraft.
This joint tour marks the first time Kendrick Lamar and SZA have officially co-headlined a major arena and stadium run together. Backed by Live Nation, pgLang, and Top Dawg Entertainment, the Grand National Tour is already being hailed as one of the biggest live events of 2025.
A Star-Studded Opening Night
The night began with an electric warm-up DJ set by Mustard, who set the tone with a mix of west coast classics and crowd-pleasing anthems. As the lights dimmed, the roar of the audience erupted when Kendrick Lamar took the stage—soon joined by SZA—unleashing a marathon 3-hour set that felt both cinematic and personal.
The setlist included a blend of fan-favorite tracks from their expansive catalogs, spanning multiple eras and chart-topping projects. Songs performed included:
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“tv off” and “peekaboo” from Kendrick’s GNX project
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“Kill Bill” and “Snooze” from SZA’s SOS Deluxe: LANA
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“DNA.,” “HUMBLE.,” and “LOVE.” from Kendrick’s DAMN.
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“All the Stars,” their Oscar-nominated duet from the Black Panther soundtrack
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“luther,” their current Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, which had the crowd singing word-for-word
Every transition was seamless. Every song felt like a moment. The chemistry between Kendrick and SZA was magnetic—balancing intensity, vulnerability, and power.
What made this performance especially remarkable was how it served as a living archive of modern Black music and culture. From Ctrl and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers to SOS and GNX, Kendrick and SZA didn’t just play songs—they told a story.
Kendrick, known for his sharp lyricism and innovative live staging, incorporated storytelling elements into his solo sets. He performed “Father Time” with sparse lighting and mirrored imagery, reflecting themes of healing and generational trauma. On “N95,” the crowd lit up with energy, as screens displayed chaotic, glitched visuals matching the track’s urgency.
SZA, on the other hand, brought emotional depth with tracks like “Nobody Gets Me” and “Special,” while turning the stadium into a sea of lights during “Good Days.” Her vocal range and stage presence left the audience breathless—she even performed a portion of her set suspended mid-air on a moon-themed platform, floating above the crowd.
Together, they offered duets and mashups that fans had only dreamed of. “All the Stars” felt like a coronation, while “luther” was a victory lap.
High-End Production Meets Raw Emotion
The production value of the Grand National Tour is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The show features a 360-degree rotating stage, massive LED walls, pyrotechnics, levitating platforms, and immersive lighting design that changes with each emotional beat.
However, despite the tech-heavy setup, both artists made sure the focus stayed on the music and the message.
Between sets, short film-style interludes provided transitions and reflections, in line with pgLang’s multimedia aesthetic. There were no gimmicks—just intentional art. Kendrick’s artistic direction, known from previous tours like The Big Steppers Tour, was apparent, while SZA’s dreamy, celestial visuals gave the show a sense of ethereal grace.
The Cultural Impact of Kendrick and SZA Together
This tour isn’t just a concert series—it’s a cultural moment.
Both Kendrick Lamar and SZA are defining voices of their generation. Kendrick, a Pulitzer Prize winner and master lyricist, has spent his career dissecting systems of power, race, and identity. SZA, a Grammy-winning genre-blender, has reshaped R&B into something more expansive, vulnerable, and millennial.
Together, they represent the intersection of intellect and emotion—of protest and poetry. The Grand National Tour brings that synergy to stadiums across the globe, turning their message into a shared experience for tens of thousands of fans each night.
Tour Dates, Cities, and International Expansion
The Grand National Tour includes 39 dates across North America and Europe. After Minneapolis, the next stop is in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, April 23rd, followed by shows in cities like:
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Los Angeles
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Chicago
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Atlanta
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New York City
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Toronto
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Miami
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London
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Paris
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Berlin
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Amsterdam
The European leg kicks off in late July, extending through August, and will feature festival appearances alongside stadium shows. Tickets for many dates are already sold out, with resale prices soaring, reflecting the massive demand for this once-in-a-generation event.
The Legacy of ‘GNX’ and ‘SOS Deluxe: LANA’
This tour follows the recent success of both artists’ 2024 projects.
Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album GNX shocked the world with its experimental production, abstract storytelling, and viral moments. It solidified his status as a boundary-pusher who continues to innovate nearly two decades into his career.
SZA’s SOS Deluxe: LANA added a powerful new chapter to her already record-breaking sophomore era. The deluxe edition included seven new tracks, many of which were debuted live during the opening show. “peekaboo” and “Jupiter” are already trending across platforms, while SOS as a whole continues to dominate streaming charts globally.
Both artists have mastered the art of the slow burn, with albums that gain momentum long after release—a rare feat in today’s fast-moving music industry.
Fan Reactions and Viral Moments
Social media exploded with fan reactions after the Minneapolis show. Hashtags like #GrandNationalTour, #KendrickLamar, and #SZA trended globally as fans posted clips, outfits, and emotional testimonies from the night.
One viral moment came when Kendrick paused to allow the crowd to sing the entirety of “LOVE.” a cappella. Another highlight? SZA dancing barefoot during “Kill Bill,” a callback to her 2023 Grammy performance.
TikTok edits, fan-captured footage, and outfit recreations have already begun circulating, proving the tour is just as impactful online as it is IRL.
Why the Grand National Tour Matters
In a landscape saturated with short attention spans, Kendrick Lamar and SZA are offering something timeless. The Grand National Tour isn’t about fleeting trends—it’s about legacy, connection, and creating space for truth.
It’s a reminder that music can still mean something. That live performance can still feel sacred. And that two of the most important voices in modern music can share a stage—not in competition, but in harmony.
A Tour Worth Experiencing
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to either artist’s catalog, the Grand National Tour is a must-see. It’s more than a concert—it’s a communal experience. A celebration of art. And a declaration that Kendrick Lamar and SZA are in a lane of their own.
From Minneapolis to Manchester, this tour is set to be one of the defining music events of the decade. And based on opening night, it’s safe to say: they’ve only just begun.
