2025 seems like a year we won’t forget when it comes to live music shows. The year started off strong with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Thomas selling out two shows at the intimate KOKO London venue. Despite being known for his TV career, his recent single, "MUTT," has become a social media favorite, propelling his fame even further. Watching the tickets disappear off my screen in real time was certainly a sight to behold. Failed attempts for me and many others meant that having a Leon Thomas ticket was like holding onto gold dust! The anticipation for his show was met with social media reviews pouring out admiration for what appeared to be a moving performance.
While tickets for his show felt like a Hunger Games simulation, February became even more eventful with the announcement of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour. The UK was in luck, as London was one of only two chosen European destinations. Witnessing her Renaissance World Tour back in 2023 was a valuable experience that, in my opinion, was worth every penny. The clear investments made into her choreography, stage production, and overall atmosphere made it only right for me to see her again! This shared sentiment led to increased demand, prompting Beyoncé to extend her UK stops to a total of six dates! With several popular shows on sale around the same time, Ticketmaster’s website struggled to handle the influx of traffic. Many of us experienced website crashes, errors, and blocked access (yes, I was one of those people). After 25 minutes of queuing and near misses, I was fortunate enough to purchase tickets for myself and my friends. Excitement is high, and talks of outfits are already underway. June can’t come soon enough!
Just when things couldn’t get any more intense, another tour announcement broke the internet—Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Amidst his feud with Canadian artist Drake, the well-known rapper not only won several Grammys but also released an album and performed at the Super Bowl. Shortly after, announcements were made extending his joint tour to Europe. This dynamic duo has fans on the edge of their seats, as they’re expected to perform twice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July. Both artists have strong individual fanbases, and their incredible synergy is something many of us can’t resist witnessing live. With SZA releasing the deluxe version of her "SOS" album, fans can expect to see fresh performances mixed with classic hits and, of course, the duo’s iconic collaborations (All The Stars, I’m looking at you!).
Switching gears a bit, another artist whose live events are the talk of the town is Pitbull. We all know Pitbull, a.k.a. Mr. Worldwide, and the pop hits he’s released over the years. Footage from his recent Party After Dark Tour has unexpectedly swept across platforms like TikTok, leaving many of us intrigued. The crowd at his shows is not just made up of die-hard fans, but also casual listeners looking to have a great time. Many videos show attendees dressed as Pitbull himself, complete with bald caps and shades. This humorous aspect has boosted sales even further, leading to the confirmation of an extra date to accommodate the demand. Alongside special guest Shaggy, attendees can expect a rave-like experience at his O2 Arena dates in June.
Lastly, we have an event that will be a first of its kind in London. SXSW (South by Southwest), an annual American event, is set to bring their conference to the capital on June 5th. The event aims not only to host cross-sector discussion panels but also to have a music festival accompanying it. Nigerian superstar Tems has been chosen to headline the inaugural show. Her recent international recognition has made her the face of Afro R&B and arguably part of Nigeria’s new “Big 3.” With hits like “Love Me Jeje” and “Essence,” her success is a testament to how much African music has grown in popularity. As one of my favorite artists, I had the chance to see her at All Points East last year. Her combination of live vocals and live band elements truly makes seeing Tems a valuable experience. Hopefully, headlining the June event will inspire emerging artists, which is the goal of the festival.
xoxo
Tracey Haagsma
