instagram/mariavazzquez
Kendrick Lamar Kicks Off 'The DAMN. Tour' in Arizona
Kendrick Lamar’s “The DAMN. Tour” just went viral. The Top Dawg Entertainment MC kicked off his first arena tour at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on Wednesday (July 12).
K-Dot launched into the performance with “DNA.” and “ELEMENT.,” two high-powered cuts off his latest album. From there, the set list and stage presentation were similar to the critically-acclaimed Coachella performance that he put on earlier this year, with its eliminated cage, levitation experience, and Kung Fu theme.
DAMN. was the foundation of the set list, as he performed fan favorites like “LOYALTY.,” “LUST.,” “PRIDE.,” and “LOVE.” but that didn’t stop him from exploring his discography. Throughout the night, he also performed past bangers like “King Kunta,” “untitled 07,” “untitled 02,” “Collard Greens,” “Swimming Pools (Drank),” “Backseat Freestyle,” “Alright,” and “m.A.A.d. City.”
But the closing track for the evening was “HUMBLE.” which led to a stirring moment in the arena, as fans chanted along to the single in unison. At one point, they finished off a Kendrick verse and performed the entire chorus acapella.
“I appreciate y’all so motherfuckin’ much,” he said, after taking it all in. “TDE, this our first motherfuckin’ arena and we’re spending it right now, right here, on the first day in Phoenix, Arizona.”
After leaving the stage, Kung Fu Kenny returned for two encore tracks with “FEEL.” and “GOD.,” according to AZ Central.
Before Cornrow Kenny hit the stage, he was preceded by D.R.A.M. and Travis Scott. The latter performer also wowed the crowd with his flying animatronic bird. In the past, he’s complained that venues wouldn’t allow him to fly the bird in smaller venues, but it seems the wings will be flapping for the “DAMN. Tour.”
TRAVIS SCOTT PERFORMING
ANTIDOTE IN PHOENIX, AZ!#theDAMNtour @trvisXX pic.twitter.com/vSzfDKzzey— FTP (@ftpflame) July 13, 2017
Following the concert, K-Dot thanked the fans in Arizona for the “DAMN. Tour” opener. “THE WILDEST SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KUNGFU KENNY TRAVIS SCOTT AND DRAM,” he wrote. “ARIZONA. AMAZING START.”
The first leg of “The DAMN. Tour” will continue with Travis and D.R.A.M. through Aug. 9 in Los Angeles. From there, it will kick back up with YG and D.R.A.M. on Aug. 11 in Anaheim through Sept. 2 in Miami. To coincide with the tour, K-Dot is also opening up a series of DAMN. pop-up shops around the country.
THE WILDEST SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KUNGFU KENNY TRAVIS SCOTT AND DRAM. ARIZONA. AMAZING START.
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) July 13, 2017