Lil Nas X, the Grammy-winning rapper behind the hit song “Old Town Road,” embarked on his first major concert tour in 2021 after releasing his debut studio album Montero. The tour, titled “Long Live Montero,” spanned North America and Europe and ran from September 2021 through November 2021.
The “Long Live Montero” Tour
Lil Nas X officially announced the “Long Live Montero” tour in April 2021, shortly before releasing his album Montero. The tour kicked off on September 6, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan and concluded on November 17, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. In total, Lil Nas X performed 33 shows across North America and Europe.
Some key details about the “Long Live Montero” tour:
- The opening acts varied by location but included artists like Avril Lavigne, Don Toliver, and Dominic Fike.
- The setlist featured songs from Montero as well as Lil Nas X’s earlier hits like “Old Town Road” and “Panini.”
- Major venues included Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, and the O2 Academy Brixton in London.
- The production featured elaborate sets and costumes, dancers, and pyrotechnics.
By most accounts, the tour was a huge success. Reviews praised Lil Nas X’s charismatic stage presence and ability to connect with fans. Many shows sold out completely. It marked a major milestone in the young rapper’s career as his first time headlining a major tour.
Lil Nas X’s Career Before the Tour
Prior to embarking on the “Long Live Montero” tour, Lil Nas X had achieved massive success but had limited touring experience. Here is a quick recap of his meteoric rise:
- He broke out in 2019 with his country-rap smash hit “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. The song spent a record 19 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- In 2019, he performed some festivals and smaller venues, but did not headline a major tour.
- He won two Grammy Awards in 2020 for “Old Town Road.”
- In 2021, he released his debut studio album Montero which contained songs like “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and “Industry Baby.”
- With the release of his album, he announced his first major tour “Long Live Montero.”
So while Lil Nas X had already become a global superstar prior to this tour, it represented his first time planning and headlining a multi-city trek across two continents. It marked a key step in his journey as a live performer.
Setlist and Production
The “Long Live Montero” concerts featured elaborate staging and effects to go along with Lil Nas X’s strong vocals and showmanship. Here are some details on the show:
- The setlist spanned songs from Montero as well as earlier hits. He nearly always performed “Old Town Road” and “Panini” along with new songs like “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and “Industry Baby.”
- There were multiple costume changes. Lil Nas X favored bold, futuristic looks with lots of metallics and prints.
- The production utilized pyrotechnics, strobe lights, fog, and confetti cannons at various points for dramatic effect.
- Dancers joined Lil Nas X for high-energy numbers like “Industry Baby.” There were choreographed dance routines.
- The stage set had multiple levels, runways, and a central focal point that looked like a tree with crystalline branches.
- A live band accompanied Lil Nas X and provided live instrumentation to the rapper’s pre-recorded tracks.
Reviews consistently praised these elements of the show, noting the tour felt like a full sensory experience beyond just Lil Nas X performing songs. The theatrical components elevated the concert and kept the energy high from start to finish.
Notable Tour Dates
While Lil Nas X wowed audiences at every tour stop, a few dates stood out as particularly memorable:
| Date | Venue | Why It Was Significant |
|---|---|---|
| September 13, 2021 | Radio City Music Hall, New York City | One of Lil Nas X’s first concerts back in his home state of Georgia. Playing the iconic Radio City venue was a huge milestone. |
| September 23, 2021 | YouTube Theater, Los Angeles | The Los Angeles stop of the tour. Lil Nas X went all out for his show in the heart of the entertainment industry. |
| October 17, 2021 | O2 Academy Brixton, London | Lil Nas X’s first London show. British fans went crazy for the chart-topping American rapper. |
These concerts marked monumental moments in Lil Nas X’s emergence as a global touring artist. They also demonstrated his widespread popularity and ability to captivate audiences anywhere.
Fan Reactions
By all accounts, fans loved the “Long Live Montero” tour. Lil Nas X received tons of positive feedback on social media and review sites throughout the tour. Here are some of the things fans raved about:
- Lil Nas X’s high energy and charming stage presence. He had great rapport with the crowd.
- The elaborate costumes, sets, and effects that made for an unforgettable spectacle.
- Performing hits like “Old Town Road” as well as new songs from Montero.
- Moments where Lil Nas X revealed his down-to-earth personality through funny comments.
- How inclusive the concert felt, with Lil Nas X embracing his identity as an openly gay black musician.
Many fans expressed that Lil Nas X exceeded their already high expectations. They found him captivating both as a performer and role model. It’s clear the “Long Live Montero” tour only elevated Lil Nas X’s status as a pop culture phenomenon and cemented his connection to fans.
The Tour’s Significance
Stepping back, the “Long Live Montero” tour marked a significant milestone in Lil Nas X’s career for several reasons:
- It was his first time planning and headlining a major multi-city tour across North America and Europe.
- It established Lil Nas X as one of the most in-demand live performers in music today.
- It gave Lil Nas X a chance to showcase his new album Montero in front of live audiences.
- It demonstrated his widespread popularity as he sold out shows across different cities and countries.
- It featured next-level production value, cementing Lil Nas X as not just a musician but an entertainer.
For an artist who exploded onto the scene in 2019, the “Long Live Montero” tour marked the next phase of Lil Nas X’s career. It showed his staying power and ability to translate online buzz into a riveting IRL concert experience. Given the tour’s success, it’s safe to assume more extensive touring lies ahead for Lil Nas X as his career continues to flourish.
Conclusion
In summary, Lil Nas X absolutely embarked on a major tour in 2021 titled “Long Live Montero.” The tour spanned North America and Europe over two months. It featured elaborate production and gave fans a chance to see Lil Nas X perform hits from his new album. Reviews praised the high-energy show and Lil Nas X’s magnetic stage presence. For the 21-year-old rapper, it marked a key milestone of headlining his first extensive tour. Given the tremendous fan response and sold-out crowds, the “Long Live Montero” tour will likely be remembered as a definitive moment in Lil Nas X’s meteoric rise to superstardom.
