Co-headline tours have been a thing for decades – whether it’s Guns N’ Roses & Metallica, or Billy Joel & Elton John – but they’re still somewhat of a rare breed. They can come into being for all sorts of reasons, as exemplified by Jay-Z; it could be because of a relationship between the artists (his On the Run tour with Beyonce), because of a collaborative album (his Watch the Throne with Kanye) or simply because you’re both releasing music at the same time and have a shared audience (his Legends of the Summer tour with Justin Timberlake).

Despite taking its name from the GNX album, the Grand National Tour falls into the latter category. Kendrick and SZA have teamed up on tracks a number of times throughout their careers, but on this tour they’re allowing each other equal stage time to work through their respective hits, creating a two-and-a-half hour epic of a show. While the worldwide tour came as somewhat of a surprise when it was first announced, it’s proven to be a stroke of genius; there’s clearly a huge crossover between their fanbases, as demonstrated by the fact that both nights at the 62,000-
capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were sold out.

Kendrick and SZA worked in a relay-style format, taking the stage for a handful of songs each and then using some of their collaborations — “All the Stars,” “30 for 30,” and “Doves in the Wind” — to transition smoothly. This back-and-forth rhythm gives the show a unpredictable momentum. One minute you’ve got Kendrick’s intense, politically-charged lyricism, the next SZA’s soulful vocals. For some, that blend could feel jarring, but the London crowd seemed to take it in their stride, whether they were Kendrick day-ones or SZA stans.

Kendrick’s set of course leaned heavily on GNX, working through nearly the entire album. Since his seismic beef with Drake last year, the Compton rapper’s been on somewhat of a victory lap – from his hometown Pop Out concert to the Superbowl performance – and the Grand National Tour is very much a continuation of this. For this reason, tracks like “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us” were clear highlights, and the now-iconic “Mustaaaaaaaard” on “TV Off” had the crowd screaming in unison.

Despite the tour being branded under Kendrick’s album, SZA never felt like an opener. Utilising the extensive production at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, SZA leant fully into her insect aesthetic of Lana, her SOS album reissue; from floating above the stage with butterfly wings, to leading tight dance choreography, she more than held her own as a co-headliner. She also put a lot of energy into connecting with the fans, which is easier said than done in such a huge stadium – whenever she had a spare moment, she made sure to blow kisses and sign merch to those in the
front.

The Grand National Tour is already the highest-grossing co-headline tour in history – and based on this London show, it's easy to see why. It’s a strange concept, but thanks to the massive spectacle, the seamless execution, and the duo’s unique styles and visions, it was a match made in heaven. The whole night felt like a celebration – not just because of Kendrick’s triumph, but also because of the novelty of it. It’s two very different artists at the very top of their game, coming together to create a truly unique live experience.

Words and photos by Cam Howe

Kendrick and SZA’s Grand National Tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium live review. photo by Cam Howe

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