Concert Review: Kendrick Lamar's Big Steppers Tour

Musician Kendrick Lamar stares directly into the camera wearing a tux, bedazzled glove, and bejeweled sunglasses. He holds a puppet in his hands (image courtesy pgLang)

by Laila Brustin ‘25

Sunday, July 31st. Downtown Nashville is buzzing even more than usual as crowds make their way towards Bridgestone Arena for the event of the night: Kendrick Lamar’s Big Steppers Tour. It’s around 6:40pm and the lines are still fairly short since the first performance starts around 7:30pm. The energy builds in the stadium as each minute passes, knowing that this will be the show of a lifetime.

The lights darken and cheers erupt. Opening for the show tonight is up-and-coming artist Tanna Leone. Having featured in Lamar’s song “Mr. Morale,” Leone’s participation in the tour is certain to boost his rap and hip-hop career. The highlight of his set was “Lucky,” an airy and catchy song accompanied by casino-inspired backdrops. Leone shows promise as an artist, bringing in a cool energy while the mosh pit beneath him went wild. After a short break, Lamar’s 21 year old cousin Baby Keem took the stage. Having released “Family Ties” back in 2021, Baby Keem not only brought in the longest Lamar feature in five years, but also made a major splash in the music scene. To the background of pyrotechnics and Keem’s performance, the arena shouted every word to his songs including “Range Brothers” and “ORANGE SODA.”

Kendrick Lamar sings as red and blue lights shine down on him (image courtesy @sopitasfm on Instagram)

A massive white curtain is lowered to the ground and the lights darken. “United in Grief” begins to play, the song chilling on such a wide scale. Suddenly, dancers in suits come around the stage, each stepping in time to the beat, their heads bobbing. The curtain lifts to the scene of a bed and a piano. This is when everyone erupts. Kendrick sits by the piano. He is in a tux with a brooch detail, his hand is in a bejeweled white glove, and a puppet sits on top of the piano. While potentially relating to themes of seeing artists as humans rather than heroes or villains, Lamar’s glove seems to be in reference to one of his inspirations, Michael Jackson. He and the puppet make their way down the stage to begin singing. The showmanship and artistry of the concert only become better and better.

A shadow of Kendrick Lamar hunched over with arrows in his back is projected onto a large white curtain (Photo courtesy of @zaeemramen on Instagram)

Dancers in suits dance below Kedrick Lamar as he stands on a platform, singing to the audience. (Photo courtesy of @bigpigco on Instagram)

The concert is in full swing. Every person in the audience is familiar with the new music, and many have come prepared with each verse memorized. The fifth song “Backseat Freestyle” from Good Kid, M.A.A.D City caused the earliest and some of the most hype reactions during the show. The white curtains continue to be put to use as projections add visuals to the music. A narrator also speaks every once in a while to the character of Mr. Morale, often telling him where he’s falling short or what he needs to do next. Each throwback song like “HUMBLE.” and “King Kunta” has the audience thundering while the songs off of Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers garner new and greater appreciation.

The concert begins to near its end when Kendrick Lamar takes a covid test on stage before bursting into “Alright.” From here he is surrounded by clear plastic walls and lifted above the audience. Lamar sings thematically separating songs including “Mirror” and “Silent Hill.” Baby Keem then returns to the stage for “Family Ties” (with a performance that only proves how hard the song goes.) The previous tone then returns with “Crown” where Lamar sits back at his piano and seems to be near tears. The night then ends with the closing “Mr. Morale” and the key points of “Savior” in which Lamar expresses that he is choosing himself above others moving forward.

Kendrick Lamar is standing beneath plastic sheeting as he prepares to take a covid-19 test. He is surrounded by dancers in hazmat suits and highlighted by a glowing blue light. (Photo courtesy of @domodot on Instagram)

Personally, I have never experienced such an electric room. Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem, Tanna Leone, the dancers, and the production team came with their all. The songs were vibrant, energetic, emotional, and simply put incredible. It only made me want to listen to more of Lamar’s music. His name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Oklama, Kdot, y’all get home safe.

Setlist:

Savior - Interlude (Instrumental)

United in Grief

N95

ELEMENT.

Worldwide Steppers

Backseat Freestyle

Rich - Interlude (Instrumental)

Rich Spirit

HUMBLE.

Father Time

m.A.A.d city

Purple Hearts

King Kunta

Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix)

Die Hard

LUST.

DNA.

Count Me Out

Money Trees

LOVE.

Alright

Mirror

LOYALTY.

Silent Hill

family ties (with Baby Keem)

Crown

Mr. Morale (with Tanna Leone)

Savior