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KENDRICK LAMAR
+ Doechii
@ Allianz Stadium, Sydney,
11th December 2025
(Live Review)

Review by Amelia Torresan

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The cultural impact that rap music has had on the world is absolutely undeniable, and last night one of the biggest names in rap music, Kendrick Lamar proved to thousands of fans why he is one of those who stand at the top. Supported by rap songstress and seductress of the swamp, Doechii, the night was about to entertain, educate, and blow the minds of the entire audience with the performances they were about to witness.

Doechii made her presence immediately known the second she stepped onstage in a hot teacher outfit, kicking off a show built around playful “lessons.” She wasted no time climbing onto a school desk for the first two tracks, “Stanka Pooh” and “Bullfrog,” setting the tone for a performance that was equal parts theatrical and high-energy. By song three, “Boiled Peanuts,” she was shouting out her DJ, DJ Milan, keeping the crowd laughing and locked in.

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“Nissan Altima” took things to another level. As soon as the beat hit, people were up out of their seats dancing along. It’s one of her most popular songs for a reason, her rap flow is animated, passionate, and impossible to ignore. Throughout the entire set, she embodied what it means to empower women, embracing her femininity and sexuality with confidence as she rapped and danced.

Her freestyle cover of “America Has a Problem” showed off her versatility, flipping Beyoncé and Kendrick’s collab into something fresh and uniquely her. Honestly, she was captivating from the moment she hit the stage; she’s so stunning and talented that it’s genuinely hard to look away. That energy exploded again during “Alter Ego,” where she sprinted across the stage and down the platform, voguing ballroom-style while the crowd absolutely lost it.

“Persuasive” brought the school desk back, this time with two dancers behind her, and the audience literally leaned forward like they were hypnotized. A DJ scratch session transitioned the set into the next track, and all throughout, her clarity and enunciation stood out, she deeply feels every word she raps. It’s no surprise she’s been a support act for Kendrick Lamar; they share that same precision and emotional weight.

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She switched up the vibe with a dominatrix-inspired look, tighty-whities and cone bra included, for “Nosebleeds,” and the entire stage design matched her playful classroom/boombox theme, especially during “Crazy.” “Stressed” offered a much-needed breather in the middle of the chaos. It felt like a lo-fi study playlist came to life, and it gave her the perfect space to showcase how well she can actually sing.

“Boom Bap” had vocals that didn’t quite match the backing track which was a fun little surprise contrast in her music style but she bounced right back into it with “GTFOH,” which cleverly sampled Ludacris’ “Move Bitch.” Then came one of the wildest moments of the night: “Catfish,” where she rapped clearly and powerfully while in an almost full backbend. The core strength and breath control needed for that is insane. She followed with “Swamp Bitches,” before closing the emotional arc with arguably her most famous song “Denial Is a River,” introduced by a fun, short video that laid out the story behind the track.

By the end of the set, it was obvious: Doechii delivered a headline-worthy performance despite not being the headliner. If this is what she brings as a support act, her own headline tour would be on another level entirely. It’s clear she has a love for performing and feels so comfortable onstage and that was evident in the way she gave the audience an absolute show.

It was then time for the act of the night, Kendrick Lamar, to take the stage. The Compton-born artist opened his set with “Wacced Out Murals,” a calm-before-the-storm intro that hinted at the massive production waiting to unfold: pyrotechnics, dancers, and an evolving stage design that would eventually erupt into a full spectacle. The opening instrumental felt like something straight out of Carmen, dramatic and operatic. He even began the performance backstage, building a sense of mystery before finally revealing himself to the crowd. From the start, one thing was undeniable: Kendrick enunciates every single word with intention. Every syllable hits with purpose, ensuring that his lyrics land exactly the way he means them to.

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“Squabble Up” was the first real eruption of energy, with a full crew of dancers joining him onstage. The crowd got hyped and stayed that way for the rest of the night. When he dove into “N95,” “King Kunta,” and “ELEMENT,” the arena practically vibrated with excitement. Then came a curtain drop that revealed him standing on a staircase for “Euphoria,” where fireworks and fire cannons punctuated the track like explosive gunshots, echoing throughout the venue.

The dancers returned for “Hey Now” with powerful, passionate choreography that added depth to Kendrick’s performance. But one of the most mesmerizing moments of the night came during “Reincarnated.” The dancers performed on the stairs with sharp, precise, intentional movements, telling a parallel story through dance while Kendrick delivered his own through lyrics. It felt like something you’d see in a modern art museum. The song itself wrestles with fame and the lineage of Black music, and the staging elevated it even further.

“HUMBLE.”, unsurprisingly, had the entire crowd on their feet, arguably one of his most iconic songs, and the energy proved it. After that, Kendrick blitzed through shortened versions of fan favorites like “Backseat Freestyle,” “Family Ties,” “Swimming Pools,” and “m.A.A.d city,” giving every fan at least a taste of the tracks they loved.

When he finally launched into “Alright,” the mosh pit turned into a unified wave, jumping, shouting, and throwing hands in the air. From the seats, the mosh looked like part of the show itself. After that high, “Man at the Garden” brought a more somber tone. The screens showed scenes of a hometown, grounding the audience in Kendrick’s world before the fame. The track slowly crescendoed into a powerful finish.

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“Dodger Blue” and “Peekaboo” were standout showcases for the dancers, they absolutely made the show during these songs. Their performances were so compelling that at times it felt like Kendrick was providing the soundtrack for an elite dance company. “Like That” and “DNA.” kept the energy at a high, and then the crowd erupted when Schoolboy Q appeared onstage to perform their collaboration “Collard Greens.” Kendrick followed with “LOVE.” and “Money Trees,” the latter bathing the crowd in warm, inviting light as everyone sang and danced along. “Poetic Justice” added a nostalgic touch, paired with a cute skit video of Kendrick and SZA, a perfect leeway into their song ‘Luther’.

Then came one of the most striking visuals of the night: a curtain dropped to reveal the taillights of a giant car set piece, forming the backdrop for the final stretch of the show. “LUTHER” exploded with fireworks, dancers, and massive energy from both Kendrick and the crowd. It was the beginning of the end and it felt monumental.

And then: “Not Like Us.” Why go to the Super Bowl when Kendrick basically gave the same level of performance live? The entire arena was screaming the unforgettable lines (you know the ones) as Kendrick reveled in the righteous pettiness of the track, poking at the figures in the industry who don’t have the best intentions. Finally, he closed the night with “Gloria,” wrapping up an absolutely unforgettable performance.

This show was an absolute testament to black talent and excellence in the music industry now and in decades past. Both performers paid homage to artists who have come before them by sampling tracks for their own songs and breathing new life into them. Seeing both Doechii and Kendrick Lamar use their huge platforms to speak out on injustices occurring in the world through their music further solidified that their fame was well deserved if they have the courage to speak out. The audience received a multi-faceted show that highlighted not only these two amazing rappers but the dancers and performers that support them. It was enough to turn a complete newbie to the world of rap into someone who will delve further into not only their discography, but causes that inspire them.

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Follow KENDRICK LAMAR
YouTube – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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Press Release 6th August 2025 (below) HERE

KENDRICK LAMAR
adds second Melbourne &
Sydney shows to his
GRAND NATIONAL TOUR

DOECHII
joins as special guest
on new dates

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AMNPLIFY – DB