Leeds First Direct Arena is blessed with welcoming some of music’s biggest names each year but something felt that little bit extra special during Kendrick Lamar’s Thursday evening show.
At times, the Leeds leg of The Big Steppers Tour had a sense of immersive theatre with a clear flowing narrative running throughout the ever-evolving stage production. Lamar, 35, who headlined Leeds Festival to great acclaim back in 2018, kicked things off with a little help from a ventriloquist dummy - the 'Mini Me' was possibly something of a curveball for the uninitiated.
That was just one example of the intrigue which carried the night and led the crowd into unexpected turns. Another coming in the form of Dame Helen Mirren taking on the role of narrator and therapist. The pre-recorded voiceover helped guide the masses and cleverly fill the gaps as set-pieces were prepared.
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Leeds First Direct Arena, which welcomed support performances from Tanna Leone and Baby Keem, had a packed crowd with those down the front all eager to get a glimpse of their hero. At one point, Lamar stopped proceedings to sign a poster for one of the most enthusiastic in the extremely energetic audience.
The Big Steppers show was a trip through Lamar’s musical back catalogue but also a journey in wonderfully mesmerising choreography. At times, this was done subtly on the large performance area with one or two of Lamar’s highly-talented support team joining him - as seen to great success during B**tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.
While later, the split areas of the staging provided a grand all-encompassing face-off between Lamar and his cousin Baby Keem who joined proceedings for Vent, A Life of Pain and Family Ties. Initially, the production created a battle between the two before they joined forces rallying nearby fans.
Undoubtedly, the eye-catching highlight of the night came when a cube descended on Lamar from above - trapping him David Blaine-style. Inside Lamar was flanked by four figures in PPE who deemed the American performer to be ‘contaminated’.
Inside, he performed Alright which alongside N95 and King Kunta were some of the best received songs by Lamar’s adoring audience. From a high vantage point, coming courtesy of Pink Gorilla, it was quite a sight to see those standing around the stage bouncing and moshing throughout as well as, of course, the sea of camera phones lighting up the Leeds city centre venue.
Lamar proclaimed: "You could be anywhere in the world but you’re right here, at the greatest show on Earth.”
Earlier this year, Lamar delivered one of the most interesting and unique Glastonbury headline shows in recent memory. On Thursday evening, he probably delivered Leeds First Direct Arena’s best event of the year.
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Setlist
- United in Grief
- N95
- ELEMENT.
- Worldwide Steppers
- Backseat Freestyle
- Rich Spirit
- Rich
- HUMBLE.
- Father Time
- m.A.A.d citY
- We Cry Together
- Purple Hearts
- King Kunta
- LOYALTY.
- Swimming Pools (Drank)
- B**ch, Don't Kill My Vibe
- Die Hard
- LUST.
- DNA.
- Count Me Out
- Money Trees
- LOVE.
- Alright
- Mirror
- Silent Hill
- Vent
- A Life of Pain
- Family Ties
- Crown
- Mr. Morale
- Savior
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