Rap superstar Kendrick Lamar transformed Melbourne's AAMI Park into a stage of high drama and blistering lyricism on Thursday night, delivering a show that will be talked about for years to come. The 30,000-capacity stadium witnessed a masterclass in performance, from Lamar's fiery theatrics and pointed disses aimed at rival Drake to the stunning opening set by rapidly ascending star Doechii.
Doechii's Commanding Australian Debut
Before Lamar took the stage, the audience was treated to a powerhouse performance from Doechii, marking her first ever show in Australia. The so-called 'swamp princess' of rap, whose fame is a relatively new phenomenon, held the massive crowd in the palm of her hand from the first moment. Her 50-minute set was a confident and coherent display, feeling more like a headline act than a support slot.
Drawing heavily from her 2024 breakthrough project Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii delivered tracks like the acidic Nissan Altima and the swaggering Catfish. She structured her performance as a series of lessons, showcasing the humour and physicality she's known for—crawling over school desks, delivering a sex education lecture, and at one point brandishing a sword. The screaming crowd's rapturous reception made it clear many had come specifically to see her, a rare feat for an opening act.
Lamar's Grand Theatrical Spectacle
Kendrick Lamar announced his arrival with a barrage of fireworks and pyrotechnics, setting a tone of grand melodrama that lasted the entire night. This marked a stark contrast to his last Australian tour in support of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, which was a more minimalist, introspective affair. From the opening wails of Wacced Out Murals, the stage was filled with black-and-white imagery of colossal statues and video interludes depicting a deposition questioning his need for attention.
Lamar ran a tight ship, offering little banter but clear signs of enjoyment, such as a toothy smile during a criminally shortened version of King Kunta. The crowd's energy peaked during Euphoria, his diss track aimed at Drake, with the entire stadium erupting to shout the line: "But don't tell no lie about me and I won't tell truths about you."
A Setlist Spanning Eras and Emotions
The show was a carefully curated journey through Lamar's career and current mindset. The comparatively subdued Man at the Garden from his GNX project was a surprising standout, with Lamar reciting his desires like a prayer. Older classics like Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe and Money Trees were met with rapture, before a run of fresher hits including his romantic collaboration with SZA, Luther, and the grand TV Off.
The undeniable climax was Not Like Us, the scathing diss track aimed at Drake that has dominated the rap conversation this year. The track united 30,000 voices screaming "a-minoooooor" in unison, a moment of cathartic collective energy.
After such a bruising song, Lamar offered a moment of genuine warmth, taking time to thank a group of fans he recognised from his first tiny Australian shows back in 2012. "I'm not good with names but I sure don't forget faces," he said, pointing them out and promising to return to Australia "until the wheels fall off." He closed the ferocious evening on a gentle note with Gloria, his duet with SZA.
This was not just a concert but an event—a dazzlingly theatrical exploration of hubris and the artifice of success. For everyone in attendance at AAMI Park, it was the kind of extraordinary show that guarantees the future boast: "I was there." Kendrick Lamar and Doechii continue their Australian run at the Spilt Milk festival in Ballarat, Perth, and the Gold Coast from 6-14 December. Lamar will also play Sydney's Allianz Stadium on 10 December with ScHoolboy Q and on 11 December with Doechii.
