RECAP: NELLY + FRIENDS 'WHERE THE PARTY AT WORLD TOUR' IN VANCOUVER
- Backspin Canada
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
The atmosphere inside Rogers Arena was bumping as Nelly, alongside Ja Rule and Chingy, brought the 'Where the Party At World Tour' to Vancouver, BC for a night filled with nostalgia, and unforgettable hits. After launching the Canadian leg of his tour earlier this month in Halifax, Nelly’s Vancouver stop marked the culmination of a stretch that saw him pack-out cities like Moncton, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Calgary.
This performance marked Nelly’s first return to Vancouver since 2022, and only his fourth appearance ever in the city—the first being 2002, for the "Nellyville Tour." Before the show even began, it was clear that this night was for the ladies. Rogers Arena had smartly converted all but two male bathrooms on the main concourse into female ones, a move that paid off given the massive number of women in attendance.
Opening the night, Chingy wasted no time getting the party started. Bursting onto the stage with his signature personality, he powered through a high-energy set that had fans instantly on their feet. Hits like "Holidae In," "Pullin' Me Back," and "One Call Away" resonated with the crowd, but it was "Right Thurr" that ignited a full arena singalong, transporting fans straight back to the early 2000s.
Next up, Ja Rule turned the theatrics up a notch. His entrance—emerging from under a hospital sheet clad only in his underwear before he dressed onstage and dove into an explosive set. Dividing his show into "Act 1" and "Act 2," Ja Rule weaved his biggest hits into a performance packed with energy, including crowd favourites like "Always On Time" and "Livin' It Up." His energy and genuine engagement with the crowd kept the party rolling and spirits high.
Finally, it was time for Nelly. In a clever intro skit, VIP guests crossed the stage and members of Nelly's crew mimicked a night out at a club, setting the vibe. Then, Nelly stormed onto the stage rocking an all-white Vancouver Canucks jacket and matching Canucks hat, a tribute that had the local crowd cheering in approval.
From the very first song, fans were singing every lyric—loud, clear, and proud. The fans inside Rogers Arena were bouncing as Nelly launched into hit after hit. Early in the set, the crowd was treated to "Ride Wit Me" with City Spud, and "Dilemma," which had couples slow-dancing and singing at the top of their lungs.
Nelly’s setlist also paid homage to his St. Lunatics roots, with Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud joining for tracks like "Batter Up" and "AF1." Special guests like J-Kwon stepped up for performances of "Tipsy" and "Hood Hop," keeping the momentum alive. Songs like "Porsche," "The Fix," and "Just a Dream" allowed Nelly to blend hip-hop with smooth, radio-ready grooves, reminding everyone of his versatility.
As the night progressed, the arena turned into a full-blown party. Tracks like "Low," "Get Low," and "Party Up" created moments of controlled chaos, with pyrotechnics lighting up the stage during climactic performances of "Hot in Herre" and "Just a Dream."
The "Where the Party At" World Tour is more than a typical concert run—it’s a global celebration of Nelly's 25th anniversary since the release of his iconic debut album, Country Grammar. Spanning 54 dates across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S., this marks Nelly’s most extensive headlining tour to date.
At 50 years old, Nelly remains a powerhouse performer whose catalog continues to resonate with fans worldwide. From "Country Grammar" to "Just a Dream," his ability to deliver hooks, energy, and anthems that bridge generations was on full display in Vancouver, and the party is far from over.
Upcoming North American Tour Dates
July 23 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
July 25 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
July 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 27 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
July 29 – Bala, ON – The KEE to Bala
July 31 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
August 1 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
August 2 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
August 3 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
August 5 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
August 9 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
August 10 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
August 13 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
August 14 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
August 21 – Sparks, NV – Nugget Event Center
August 22 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord
August 23 – Inglewood, CA – Intuit Dome
August 24 – Ridgefield, WA – Ilani Cowlitz Ballroom
August 27 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
September 4 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
September 5 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
September 9 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
September 12 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
September 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
September 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
September 16 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
September 18 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
September 19 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
September 26–28 – Ocean City, MD – Ocean City Inlet (Oceans Calling Festival)
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