Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Tottenham Stadium: 'the pair lack natural chemistry'
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Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
SZA proves Glastonbury flop was a fluke but still dwarfed by Kendrick Lamar
SZA hasn't had the easiest time when it comes to UK live performances. Who could forget her Glastonbury headliner slot two years ago? But her London gig with Kendrick Lamar has been a redemption. Having seen the Kill Bill hitmaker fail to make an impact on the Pyramid Stage, the Grand National Tour announcement admittedly left me a little apprehensive. How could she match up to the Humble legend, whose own Glastonbury headliner slot was met with rapturous applause? But SZA held her own, for the most part. Splitting their sets back and forth was the perfect way to make sure the energy kept flowing in Tottenham Stadium. First up was Kendrick, opening the show with a string of energy boosting tracks like Squabble Up and TV On (cut teasingly just before the crowd could scream 'Mustard'). SZA's introduction prompted huge applause from the crowd but this adoration couldn't quite last her entire performance. While the Kiss Me More singer has some stunning vocals and catchy tunes, being K Dot's counterpart didn't serve her well. Kendrick is simply an absolute juggernaut on stage. It's hard to imagine anyone being able to match him in sheer presence — the stadium came alive every time he walked out. It didn't help that SZA seemed to take a minute (or 30) to warm to the gig, choosing not to interact with fans until much later and only really letting her playful personality shine in moments when they were both on stage. Her early sections opted for set pieces over movement around the walkway, and this was unfortunately to her detriment, putting up barriers between herself and the audience. This mirrors her choices at Glastonbury and we all remember how that went. As the London night two gig went on, the clunky sets cleared and SZA appeared to relax into it. We've teamed up with Camp Bestival Dorset to give one lucky Metro reader and their family the chance to win family weekend tickets, worth up to £1,172! Created by families, for families, Camp Bestival combines all the fun of a fantastic family camping holiday with everything you would expect from a perfect and action-packed festival adventure. Headliners include music legend Sir Tom Jones, pop icons Sugababes, plus a carnival-filled live show from electronic music duo Basement Jaxx. Simply enter your details here to be in with a chance of winning four tickets to this epic experience. You have until midnight on 23 July to enter. Good luck! * Open to GB residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+. Promotion opens at 18:01 on 16/7/25 and closes at 23:59 on 23/7/25. Entrant must submit their first and last name, email address, date of birth and postcode when prompted via the entry form available on (available here). 1 prize available of a family weekend camping ticket, including two (2) adult tickets and up to four (4) child and/or teen tickets in any combination as chosen by the winner to attend Camp Bestival (Lulworth Castle, Dorset) from 31st July 2025 to 3rd August 2025. Maximum 1 entry per person. Attendance is governed by the Camp Bestival Terms and Conditions. Full T&Cs apply, see here. For many fans, her input has sadly been overlooked. The might of Kendrick, especially after his explosive fame after his viral Drake beef, cannot be ignored. And it's not just in his lyrics that he's slamming his rival; according to Viagogo, 47% more global fans searched for tickets to Kendrick than Drake, who headlined Wireless. The difference in numbers could have reportedly filled the O2 Arena 10 times over. Ouch. The weight of this feud could be felt as the entire stadium shouted 'a minor' during Not Like Us, a volume only reached when we finally got to shout 'mustard' later in the gig. It's no surprise then that SZA couldn't quite match Kendrick's presence, although her popularity is rising with her page views tripling on the day the UK tour was announced compared to the day before. Despite her own sections falling short of Kendrick's, their few duets were really where the collaborative tour concept shone. All The Stars was a visual highlight of the show, with the duo elevated on platforms singing to a room lit with tiny stars (also known as phone torches). SZA and Kendrick have an undeniable musical chemistry, as well as an onstage ease with each other that only adds to the harmony. Once you've seen them on stage together, you're left wondering why they ever perform apart. Aside from the sheer dominance of Dot, the show was surprisingly let down by the staging, which remained simple other than the occasional car and a ride-on giant ant (named Anthony). My main gripe is that several songs were sung at the very back of the stage, between the screens. This meant large chunks of songs were blocked from view if you were on either side of the stage. Considering how much money fans have coughed up, to be left watching some songs mainly on a screen is a little disappointing, especially when they could have easily been brought forward into view. This aside, the dancers were some of the best I've seen. Throughout the show they were completely in sync — a truly precision performance, which was never thrown off by the copious amounts of pyrotechnics. More Trending Overall, the tour delivers on what it promises: a solid selection of Kendrick and SZA's biggest tracks with some incredible duets. It almost feels as if the timing is wrong as the Peekaboo rapper is too big post-Super Bowl, while his duet partner has not yet come into her own. There's an undeniable chemistry here, and they put out incredible performances but it's impossible to ignore the gulf in energy between the two artists. Ultimately, this was the Kendrick Tour, and SZA was sadly left playing second fiddle. Still, it was leaps and bounds ahead of her Glastonbury set, so don't count her out of this race. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Horoscope today, July 24 2025: Daily star sign guide from Mystic Meg
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ♈ ARIES March 21 to April 20 Find time for sorting family stuff early in the day as later the new moon urges you to focus on your creative self and where you would like this to take you next. Trying an online space for size can be one of your day's breakthroughs. Love that keeps talking can keep growing, so deal with any silences sooner rather than later. 3 Your daily horoscope for Thursday ♉ TAURUS April 21 to May 21 That message or call you have hesitated to reply to needs dealing with by tonight. If, deep down, you know what you want to say, this is the time to say it. Your new sun-sent ability to take people as you find them can stand you in good stead at work, as you celebrate skills and accept flaws. Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♊ GEMINI May 22 to June 21 A new moon of new starts reminds you it's never too late to correct words or actions you have regretted. It's better to say something today than carry on worrying tomorrow. Your star strength is rooted in Saturn and the stability of bonds and beliefs this brings. If you have to rock the surface, underneath stays strong. Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♋ CANCER June 22 to July 22 You are ready to take your own love-style and make it matter instead of feeling you have to copy others. The right romantic path for you should be selected by you, no one else. Mars's might in your communication zone helps your voice carry further and mean more than it has for weeks, so do use this well. Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♌ LEO July 23 to August 23 The new moon lights up your sign and you see clearly how you can make a set of circumstances work better for you. This may mean 'giving in' a little in order to gain a lot down the line. So let your instincts lead you today and right into the evening. A talent for telling stories in unusual ways can be a great outlet. Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♍ VIRGO August 24 to September 22 The part of yourself you always try to hide is the bit to set free today – and live and love in more authentic ways. Your kind heart may have been holding back certain truths but unless you are honest, you may always feel something is missing. Your strongest beliefs about the past and the future are ready to merge. Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions 3 Reforming, even restarting, relationships and deals of all kinds is your new moon skill Credit: Getty ♎ LIBRA September 23 to October 23 A 'To Do' list should be tackled as soon as you can to free your attention for a new group appearing on the horizon. At first you may assume they are not for you, but something special can happen when you simply go with the flow. This can include 'M' romance that turns out to be both challenging and cherishing. Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♏ SCORPIO October 24 to November 22 That personal journey you feel you've been on forever can take a U-turn. The driving force is a deep ambition you have been denying. Perhaps because you assume it's too fancy, or chancy, for you. This is the moment to prove yourself wrong. Music that always gets you dancing can be your soundtrack to luck. Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♐ SAGITTARIUS November 23 to December 21 Rebel planet Uranus puts you on a pedestal – as your true skills shine bright. Accepting not everyone can succeed at the same time but everyone can have their turn helps you make a difficult career choice. The new moon lights up learning and asks you not to limit how far your mind, and heart, can reach. Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♑ CAPRICORN December 22 to January 20 Today's new moon adds extra energy to the already-supporting sun and this shifts a personal transformation towards reality. You may want to look or feel different, and now you can make this happen. Love-wise, your mix of imagination and devotion is second to none and all levels of partners can feel the difference. Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions 3 A fellow Aquarius, who loves to tease, can be The One Credit: Supplied ♒ AQUARIUS January 21 to February 18 Reforming, even restarting, relationships and deals of all kinds is your new moon skill. You can present even tricky facts and figures with a cool but also kind manner so everyone feels heard and involved In love? At least one surprise set of words is brewing. Single? A fellow Aquarius, who loves to tease, can be The One. Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions ♓ PISCES February 19 to March 20 A time of allowing others to steer your work and well-being future can end. If you have been feeling a direction is not right, this is your moment to say – but have an alternative ready to go. Doing your duty by someone older or more needy does not need to damp down your ambitions – you can do both. Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
Evening Standard
3 days ago
- Evening Standard
Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Tottenham Stadium: 'the pair lack natural chemistry'
SZA did have moments of brilliance — her vocals were strong on Kill Bill and Saturn, and All of the Stars, and she had the crowd bouncing during Rich Baby Daddy. When her energy was up — doing the splits on stage and interacting with the crowd — she was a riot. And there was a strong contingent of super fans in the stadium too, screaming along to every word of heartfelt crooning hits like The Weekend and Drew Barrymore, though the sound would have been elevated by a live band.
