Latest news with #SZA
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Kendrick Lamar, SZA wrap up U.S. tour by flourishing in DC
Kendrick Lamar, SZA wrap up U.S. tour by flourishing in DC SZA With The Mexican And American Flag On The Final Night Of The U.S Leg Of The GNX Grand National Tour In Landover, Maryland Sold Out Northwest Stadium — Kendrick Lamar & SZA Grand National Tour (@kdotszagnxeraa) June 19, 2025 LANDOVER, Md. -- By the time Kendrick Lamar played Alright, a feeling that things might actually be OK had long permeated the packed crowd at Northwest Stadium. That wasn't the case about an hour earlier, when cloudy skies continued to give way to scattered showers that just wouldn't shut off in an almost ominous nod to what was taking place just 10 miles east, where President Donald Trump had teased a possible strike on Iran. But just as DJ Mustard wrapped his nearly hour-long opening set Wednesday evening, giving way to Lamar and co-headliner SZA, the rain just... stopped -- replaced by literal rainbows and good vibes. And as he so often does in times of uncertainty, Lamar delivered. SZA too. Giving those in attendance a brief musical reprieve from any troubles they might have as the night sky removed any trace of the bad weather from earlier in the day. Then, waking their fans back up to the real world on the way out. "Love to all my immigrants," SZA said while holding Mexican and American flags after the duo performed gloria to close the show. On the eve of Juneteenth, it was a fitting way for the Grand National Tour to wrap its U.S. leg before taking to Europe on July 2. It wouldn't be Kendrick Lamar and SZA without that human element, especially after protests in Lamar's hometown of Los Angeles became a flashpoint for resistance against Trump's ICE deportations. Grand National Tour was a no-frills good time On the Venn Diagram of Kendrick Lamar and SZA fans, I would imagine there's a fairly large cross of people who enjoy both because of the duo's parallel rise and close ties through Top Dawg Entertainment. I don't know what the percentage is, but I know they exist because I know some personally. On Wednesday, I got to witness just how many of those fans exist, as the packed arena around me seemingly stayed on their feet the entire night. Even as Lamar and SZA took turns gracing the stage through about seven alternating acts, connected through the few songs they performed together, there was never really a drop-off in the energy of a crowd ready to sing along to the biggest hits of both artists. However, the longer I stood there myself, the more I realized that cross-section of fans probably wasn't who this tour was intended for. Sure, they were more than welcomed -- and surely enjoyed the show more than anyone -- but K. Dot and SZA's chemistry, and ability to put on a great show, inevitably lended itself to grabbing each other's fans. To me, that was the genius in this pairing, the grand point of the Grand National Tour, to grab fans like myself, familiar with Kendrick's catalog while only a casual fan of SZA. Or vice-versa. Or couples, who came with split interests and left with a better appreciation for their significant other's tastes. It worked. By the end of the show, this Kendrick Lamar fan didn't leave a bigger fan of Kendrick. I left as a bigger fan of SZA, who thanked Lamar for what she called the biggest moment of her life. SZA thanks Kendrick Lamar, she gets emotional then they hug each other.🥹♥️ That concludes North American leg of Grand National Tour — Hiiipower - TDE News (@hiiipowers) June 19, 2025 Admittedly, I did my best to avoid reviews of the show leading up to this final stop, so as not to spoil any surprises knowing an opportunity to attend might present itself. So, I had absolutely no clue what to expect as someone who doesn't frequent live shows and had only previously seen Lamar perform virtually, first for the Pop Out concert last year and then for halftime of the Super Bowl in February. Those shows had very different vibes, as the Pop Out felt like a victory lap in Lamar's feud with Drake, while the Super Bowl had a larger underlying message for people to dissect. While the Grand National Tour certainly had elements of each -- euphoria, Like That and Not Like Us all still crank -- it was mostly just a good time without much of an agenda. Dot and SZA simply took turns exchanging bangers, and let me tell you, it worked. The set was simple yet effective, with large screens to add complimentary visuals, a couple floating platforms, a live band, background dancers and of course the Buick GNX for which Lamar's latest album is named after. The weather wasn't ideal, but people showed up. Kendrick Lamar and SZA did too. And I'd venture to say they gave people a good time, which seems to be harder to come by these days. That's all you can ask for.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chris Brown concert results in massive road closure in Cardiff; check list of roads open
Cardiff is witnessing major road closures on Thursday (June 19, 2025) ahead of American singer Chris Brown's concert in the city. The event is set to attract thousands in the Welsh capital, which can lead to travel and parking disruption. The Grammy-winning star will be performing at the Principality Stadium as part of his Breezy Bowl XX tour. Notably, this is the first of many other major concerts which will be held at the stadium in the 2025 summer season, including Oasis, Lana Del Ray, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Stereophonics. Brown's concert comes a day ahead of his appearance in court in London. According to media reports, the singer is charged with grievous bodily harm over an alleged assault in a nightclub in 2023. The 36-year-old is free on £5m bail. The gates of the venue were opened from 5 PM (local time) Thursday, and there will be a full city centre road closure from 3 PM until midnight. This will ensure that all the concertgoers can get into and out of the stadium safely. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 1 sip (before bedtime) cleanses the liver and reduces belly fat Lulutox Undo As fans are expected at the stadium for the Chris Brown concert, fans are strongly advised to plan their journey and arrive early. The attendees are also asked to pay attention to the list of prohibited items, according to Wales Online. There is a bag policy also in place which prohibits people from carrying large bags. Check the full list of road closures Live Events Scott Road and Park Street are closed from 7 AM (local time) because of the need to prepare gate five and protect queuing fans. The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 3pm until midnight: Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street, Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street, Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment), and Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted). The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road. Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be accessed for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way. It is pertinent to mention that Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the concert ends and for up to an hour after they finish to ensure safety for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station. Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Major roads closed in Cardiff ahead of stadium event
Major roads closed in Cardiff ahead of stadium event Thousands are heading to the Principality Stadium for an event on Thursday, June 19. Here is everything you need to know A number of roads will be closed on Thursday due to a concert in the Principality Stadium (Image: Matthew Horwood ) There are a number of major road closures in Cardiff on Thursday due to an event being held in the city. Thousands are expected to be in the Welsh capital so travel and parking disruption should be expected. American singer Chris Brown will be performing at the Principality Stadium as part of his Breezy Bowl XX tour in the first of a number of major concerts being held at the stadium this summer, including Oasis, Lana Del Ray, Kenrick Lamar and SZA and Stereophonics. On Thursday, the gates will open from 5pm and there will be a full city centre road closure from 3pm until midnight to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. Fans are strongly advised to plan their journey and arrive early. You can read more about the gig here Ticketholders are also asked to pay attention to the list of prohibited items, in particular the bag policy - no large bags permitted - before travelling into the city. Motorists are being warned to expect the M4 to be very busy as people travel to the concert. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here People are asked to plan ahead and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the car park by the Vindico Arena on International Drive in the Sports Village (CF11 0JS). Article continues below Full list of road closures From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare gate five and protect queuing fans. The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closure which will take place at 3pm until midnight: Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street. Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street. Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fitzhammon Embankment). Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted). The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road. Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way will be access for buses only during the times of the road closures. This is to ensure that there is reliable access for buses to the satellite points in Churchill Way. Additionally, Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the concerts finish and for up to an hour after they finish, on safety grounds for train passengers arriving and departing from the train station. Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks. Roads affected include King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road. Trains TfW) and Great Western Railway (GWR) will operate additional and strengthened services (trains with more carriages than usual) to get customers to and from the events smoothly. However, some engineering works will impact services which means passengers should plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey. Until Friday June 20, Network Rail are replacing track in the Filton and Stoke Gifford areas, as well as completing other work between Pilning and Severn Beach. This means that there are no direct trains between Bristol and South Wales during these dates, including for the Chris Brown Concert. Customers travelling between Bristol and South Wales should change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa, where trains will still run to and from South Wales. GWR will operate an extra service from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads (via Gloucester) after the concert, supported by rail replacement buses. Those unaffected by these works are still warned to check the time of their last train home, and to allow plenty of time. A queuing system will begin from 10pm and the queuing for mainline rail services will be on Central Square with the Valley queues at the rear of the station. People should also note that Cardiff Bus Interchange will close at 3pm and Cardiff Queen Street Station will close at 10pm, unless customers have accessible requirements or are travelling to Cardiff Bay. Park and Ride facilities The event park and ride facilities will be using the car park by Vindico Arena on International Drive in the Sports Village, Cardiff Bay - CF11 0JS. The drop off point in the city centre is on Tresillian Way. The park and ride site will open at 8.45am, with the first bus leaving at 9am. The last bus from the city centre will be at 7pm with the site closing at 7.30pm. The cost is £15. Cash only. Civic Centre Event Day Parking Getting there: Exit Junction 32 of the M4, head south on the A470 towards the city centre and follow signage to the civic centre. Cost: £20 payable on the day for cars and £30 for coaches - card payments are also now available. Parking time: The car park will open at 8am and closes at 12 Midnight. Event Day Parking at Sophia Gardens (Cars) It is around 0.5 miles to walk from this location to the Principality Stadium, Gate 2. To get there Exit junction 32 off the M4. It will cost £20 for cars and £30 for coaches - card payments are now available. The car park opens at 8.00am and closes at 12am. Please note Sophia Gardens car park will be staffed until 7pm all vehicles are left on site at the owner's risk. Cardiff Council said it will not be held responsible for any theft or damage to motor vehicles or personal possessions. Any vehicles left in the car park after closing time will be fined. Bus Local buses: Bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place Please visit the relevant bus operator's website for more information about your specific bus routes. National Express: National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual. Can you cycle or walk? The cycleways and the pop-up cycleways within the road closure area will remain open for cyclists to use during the event, but due to the number of people expected to attend the rugby match, the council is urging all cyclists to take due care and attention. Shopping Parking The following city centre car parks are also available: North Road Car Parks, St David's Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Capitol Shopping Centre, and NCP (Adam Street, Dumfries Place and Greyfriars Road.) Disabled parking Disabled drivers are advised to use Sophia Gardens. Disabled parking is also available at various private car parks. Please check individual websites for availability, Cardiff council advises. Article continues below Taxis St Mary Street taxi rank (outside the former House of Fraser building) will close at 11am and will re-open at 7pm.
Cosmopolitan
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Chappell Roan Admits Backlash Gets to Her: 'It Makes Me Cry'
Chappell Roan is fierce all around, whether through her larger-than-life music, drag-inspired fashion, or how she publicly stands up for herself. While she has spoken her mind multiple times, the Grammy winner recently opened up about the constant criticism she receives and how it sits with her during a conversation with SZA for Interview magazine. 'I guess I wondered if you gave a fuck about the backlash,' the SOS singer asked, to which Chappell responded, 'I didn't, until people started hating me for me and not for my art.' The 'Pink Pony Club' hitmaker, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, continued, 'When it's not about my art anymore, it's like, 'They hate me because I'm Kayleigh, not because they hate the songs that I make.' That's when it changed.' She added that while people know her as her public, on-stage persona, they don't know who she really is deep down. 'But when things are taken out of context, people assume so much about you. I didn't realize I'd care so much. When it comes to my art, I'm like, 'Bitch, you can think whatever you want. You are allowed to hate it with all your guts,'' she shared. 'But when it comes to me and my personality, it's like, 'Damn. Am I the most insufferable bitch of our generation?'' SZA, who initially rose to fame in the 2010s because of her booming music career, shared a similar sentiment. Upon hearing Chappell's confession, the One of Them Days star revealed she 'felt relieved' that she 'gives a fuck' and reassured her that it's beautiful to feel deeply. 'I felt like I was a punk bitch for feeling the way that I feel, because I'm just like, 'Oh, maybe I'm just not cut out for this shit,'' SZA said, referencing her fame. 'Because everybody else who's cut out for this shit doesn't give a fuck. But that's not true.' 'The Giver' singer then said that reading backlash aimed at her sometimes brings her to tears. 'It makes me cry,' she admitted. 'I don't know if it will ever feel okay to hear someone say something really hateful about me.' Elsewhere in the interview, the stars chatted about believing in magic and gushed about their mutual admiration for each other. Earlier this year, SZA reacted to Chappell naming her as a dream collaboration on Call Her Daddy, saying, 'Actually didn't believe this quote when I saw it written til I saw it come out her mouth jus now CAUSE DEAD ASS SAME.' She added, 'pls we must.' And with that, we will be (im)patiently waiting for an inevitable collab from these icons.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Chappell Roan reveals how she really feels about 'hateful' backlash
Chappell Roan reveals how she really feels about 'hateful' backlash The Hot To Go hitmaker - whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz - has admitted while she never used to "give a f***" about criticism, that's changed since it appeared to be directed at her real self Chappell Roan (Image: PA ) Chappell Roan has admitted the backlash she faces has started to feel personal. The Hot To Go hitmaker - whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz - has admitted while she never used to "give a f***" about criticism, that's changed since it appeared to be directed at her real self. In a conversation for Interview Magazine, SZA asked Chappell if she "gave a f*** about the backlash". She admitted: "I didn't, until people started hating me for me and not for my art. "When it's not about my art anymore, it's like, 'They hate me because I'm Kayleigh, not because they hate the songs that I make. That's when it changed." The Pink Pony Club pop star pointed out that fans only know her public persona rather than her true self, but it's still a struggle. Article continues below She added: "They don't [know Kayleigh]. But when things are taken out of context, people assume so much about you. "I didn't realise I'd care so much. When it comes to my art, I'm like, 'B****, you can think whatever you want. You are allowed to hate it with all your guts.' "But when it comes to me and my personality, it's like, 'Damn. Am I the most insufferable b**** of our generation?' [Laughs]" Chappell admitted sometimes the trolls can bring her to tears. She said: "And it makes me cry. I don't know if it will ever feel okay to hear someone say something really hateful about me." Fellow musician SZA agreed, noting she's even been worried she's "cut not out" for life in the public eye. She revealed: "That's so real! Oh my god. I feel deeply relieved by what you just said because I felt like I was a punk b**** for feeling the way that I feel, because I'm just like, 'Oh, maybe I'm just not cut out for this shit.' "Because everybody else who's cut out for this shit doesn't give a f***. But that's not true." SZA pointed out how she has been "misperceived" after interactions with fans that are actually "tiny vacuums of the most intense moments", with dozens of people meeting her "in the worst emotional estate" and then making assumptions about her true self. Article continues below She explained: "They're all going to take this with them and be like, 'Yep, that's who the f*** she is. And we're going to tell other people that this is who she is, also.' "But it has no reflection on who I really am. You don't get another time to make a second impression. "People just take that s*** and go and build your identity. And it's excruciating, and it's hurtful, and it is devastating. And I do be crying. And I needed you to say that."
