As Kehlani took the stage at Vancouver’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on October 21st, the arena was buzzing with the kind of anticipation that only comes when an artist has reached the final stretch of a 31-city tour. Vancouver marked stop number 24 on her "Crash" Tour, which kicked off in Minneapolis and has been sweeping across major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Though the tour is nearing its end, the energy Kehlani brought to the stage suggested anything but fatigue—this was an artist fully in her element.
Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin Canada
Stepping out in a striking white button-up shirt beneath a bold, strappy black corset, Kehlani embodied an effortless fusion of elegance and power. Her fashion choices mirrored the duality of her music: soft yet fierce, classic but with an edge. With a wink, a wave, and an infectious smile, she immediately established a rapport with the audience, making the expansive venue feel intimate.
Her set opened with the sultry rhythms of "Next 2 U" and transitioned into the fan favourite "GrooveTheory," quickly building the night's momentum. Kehlani took a pause after the first four songs to reminisce about her early days, recalling her first Vancouver performance at a small club. “It’s wild being back in this city and thinking about how far we’ve come,” she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia but brimming with gratitude.
The real magic of the night, though, wasn’t just in her vocals but in the way she moved. The choreography was tight, and yet fluid, showcasing the seamless blend of sound and movement that has come to define her shows. Kehlani and her dancers glided across the stage, their routines amplifying the emotions of each song. In "Nunya," the energy was playful and electric, while the choreography for the sultry "Water" dialed the intensity up, making the crowd sway in sync with each beat.
A highlight of the night came during “Crash,” the title track from her newest album. The emotionally charged lyrics, paired with the visual storytelling unfolding on stage, enveloped the audience. It was a showcase not just of her musical prowess but of the meticulous attention to detail that has gone into every aspect of this tour. At moments, it felt less like a traditional R&B concert and more like an immersive experience that flirted with the theatrical. Between her band’s instrumentation, her dancers’ expressive movements, and Kehlani’s own raw charisma, every second felt intentional, like a conversation between artist and audience.
Kehlani's setlist for the night was a careful balance of new tracks from Crash and older fan favourites like "You Should Be Here" and "Distraction." It was a showcase to her growth over the years—from a breakout star to a fully realized artist with a deep catalog of hits. And when she covered Bruno Mars’ "Marry You," the audience erupted into a sing-along that was equal parts joyous and heartwarming.
As the night drew to a close, the crowd was reluctant to let go, hanging on to every last note of "After Hours," the hit single that has defined her year. Kehlani left them with one final moment of reflection: “Thank you, Vancouver". It was an fitting cap for the night—an emotional high, but one shared collectively, between an artist and her audience.
So, as Kehlani heads toward the final leg of her tour, one can’t help but wonder—what comes next for an artist who seems to break her own boundaries with each project? How much further can she push the envelope, and where will this musical career take her next?
Remaining Tour Dates:
October 23 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
October 25 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
October 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
October 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
November 02 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
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