Global Stage Set: Major Music Tours Announce 2025 Kicks Off, Featuring Kendrick Lamar, SZA, The Weeknd, and More

As the calendar turns to 2025, the global music scene is poised for a significant resurgence of live performances, with multiple high-profile artists embarking on extensive concert tours. This wave of activity promises to bring major stars to venues across continents, fueling anticipation among fans and contributing to the vibrant economy of live entertainment.

Leading the charge into the new year is a slate of highly anticipated tours, spanning diverse genres and fan bases. From hip-hop and R&B titans to pop powerhouses, the coming months will see artists supporting recent projects and celebrating their extensive catalogs on stages worldwide.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA: The Grand National Tour

Among the most anticipated pairings is the joint venture between critically acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar and R&B sensation SZA. Their collaborative Grand National Tour is set to traverse North America from April 19 to June 6, 2025. This tour marks a significant moment for both artists, showcasing material from their respective recent works alongside their successful joint recordings.

The tour itinerary is expected to highlight music from Lamar’s sixth studio album, “GNX,” a project that has garnered considerable attention since its release. SZA will draw from her expansive “SOS Deluxe: LANA,” offering fans live interpretations of tracks that have dominated charts and streaming platforms. Additionally, concertgoers can anticipate performances of their collaborative hits, including the poignant track “luther” and the commercially successful “All the Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack.

The Grand National Tour slate includes stops in major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Detroit. Reflecting the high demand for tickets, several cities are scheduled for multiple dates at large-capacity venues. Notably, the tour includes back-to-back performances at MetLife Stadium outside of New York City on May 8 and 9, and a two-night engagement at the prestigious SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on May 21 and 23. The availability of tickets for the Grand National Tour commenced online on December 5, 2024, allowing fans early access to secure their spots for these high-demand events.

The Weeknd’s Potential Farewell: After Hours Til Dawn Tour

Canadian superstar The Weeknd is also scheduled to continue his monumental After Hours Til Dawn Tour, with dates reportedly running from May 9 to September 3. While supporting his latest album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” the tour has also been subject to speculation, with reports suggesting it could potentially mark his final tour under The Weeknd moniker. This adds an extra layer of significance for fans eager to experience his elaborate stage production and extensive discography live.

The After Hours Til Dawn Tour is known for its ambitious scale and thematic elements, drawing heavily from the aesthetics of his After Hours and Dawn FM eras, in addition to the material from “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” Tickets for this leg of the tour became available for purchase online on February 7, 2025, giving fans in affected markets the opportunity to secure their presence for what could be a historic series of performances.

Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia World Tour

Already underway as 2025 begins is Tyler, The Creator’s highly anticipated Chromakopia World Tour. This tour, which commenced on February 4 and is scheduled to continue through July 28, supports his latest album, “CHROMAKOPIA.” Known for his dynamic stage presence and innovative visual presentations, Tyler, The Creator is expected to deliver performances that blend theatricality with raw musical energy.

The setlists for the Chromakopia World Tour are anticipated to feature a comprehensive selection of tracks, not only from the new “CHROMAKOPIA” album but also fan favorites from previous acclaimed works such as “IGOR” and “Call Me If You Get Lost.” The opportunity to experience this range of material live underscores the tour’s appeal to both long-time followers and newer listeners. Tickets for the Chromakopia World Tour went on sale well in advance, becoming available online on November 1, 2024.

Billie Eilish’s Ongoing Global Journey: Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour

Adding to the landscape of major tours is Billie Eilish’s ongoing Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour. Having begun on September 29, 2024, the tour is scheduled to continue its global reach until July 27, 2025. This extensive run supports her highly anticipated third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” which was released on May 17, 2024.

Eilish’s tour has been met with significant enthusiasm, building on the success of her latest project, which explores new sonic territories while retaining her signature introspective lyricism. The tour itinerary spans numerous markets, allowing a wide audience to experience her critically acclaimed new material alongside her established hits. The lengthy duration, stretching across nearly a full year, highlights the substantial global demand for her live performances.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The collective launch and continuation of these major tours signal a robust period for the live music industry. Beyond the artistic performances, these tours represent significant economic events, bringing substantial revenue to cities through ticket sales, merchandise, hospitality, and local businesses. The concentration of dates in large venues like MetLife Stadium and SoFi Stadium underscores the scale of these productions and the logistical feats required to execute them.

From the strategic timing of ticket releases – with some occurring late in 2024 and others early in 2025 – to the careful curation of setlists and tour itineraries, each element reflects the intricate planning involved in launching global concert series. As fans prepare to fill arenas and stadiums, the first half of 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark period for music lovers worldwide, offering a diverse array of experiences from some of the industry’s most prominent figures.