CONCERT REVIEW: KENDRICK LAMAR WRAPS UP THE 'GRAND NATIONAL TOUR' IN SYDNEY

Image: Supplied.

Playing to a packed Allianz Stadium, the Compton rapper closed out the Grand National Tour in our Harbourside city. These two Sydney shows mark the final stop of a global run that had already carved out a reputation as one of the most talked-about hip-hop tours in recent years. There was a sense of full circle in the air: this was not just another tour date, but the closing chapter. After sharing headline duties with SZA across the United States and Europe, the Australian leg placed Kendrick firmly at the centre, supported by Schoolboy Q (and Doechii the following evening), who primed the crowd with raw energy and contemporary edge before the main event. 

Ultimately, the night belonged to Lamar. His stage presence was commanding yet controlled, never relying on spectacle alone to hold attention. He performed with immaculate precision, never missing a beat, and his breath control and timing underscored just how elite a live performer he is. What truly set the performance apart, however, was his storytelling. Lamar doesn’t simply perform songs; he inhabits them. His cadence shifted to suit each narrative, pulling the audience into vivid emotional spaces, whether through moments of introspection or explosive bravado. Even in a stadium setting, the performance felt intimate, as though he was speaking directly to each person in attendance. 

The Sydney setlist was a carefully balanced career-spanning statement, designed to satisfy longtime fans while showcasing the evolution of Kendrick’s artistry. Fan favourites and cultural touchstones landed with stadium-shaking force: HUMBLE was met with deafening call-and-response, DNA crackled with electric energy and precision, and Alright once again proved its enduring power as both anthem and affirmation. Tracks from good kid, m.A.A.d city drew waves of nostalgia, while later material demonstrated how seamlessly Lamar has expanded his sonic and thematic range without losing clarity or intent. Rather than feeling like a greatest-hits package, the set unfolded as a narrative, each song reinforcing his ability to blend personal reflection, social commentary, and pure performance energy. Peekaboo and Not Like Us proved to be standout moments within the set. 

Whilst Lamar mostly remained on the main stage, he and his dance troupe would strut the stages runway and become fully immersed within the adoring crowd and create a more direct connection. The sense of movement and immersion never faltered, thanks to exceptional camera work and screen production. The large-scale visuals captured the performance in dynamic and often strikingly beautiful ways, amplifying subtle gestures and expressions that might otherwise have been lost in such a vast venue. The staging itself was intentionally minimal, allowing the music and message to remain front and centre. A staircase became a performance platform, while a translucent curtain added texture and depth to the visual palette. The presence of a giant GNX on stage acted as a symbolic centrepiece, nodding to his sixth studio album, GNX, and themes of journey, identity, and origin that run throughout Kendrick’s work. 

Adding another layer were the dancers, whose choreography was sharp, expressive, and perfectly attuned to the music. Rather than overwhelming the performance, their movement complemented each song, enhancing its mood and rhythm. Whether accentuating the aggression of harder tracks or adding fluidity to more reflective moments, the dancers helped translate Lamar’s ideas into physical form, reinforcing the show’s cohesion. 

As the final notes rang out and the lights dimmed, it was clear that Kendrick Lamar had delivered exactly what a tour finale should: a confident, uncompromising statement of artistry. The Sydney stop of the Grand National tour wasn’t just a celebration of past successes, but a reminder of why Lamar remains one of the most compelling live performers of his generation.