Calgary's Saddledome witnessed an extraordinary spectacle on Saturday night as Machine Gun Kelly brought his Lost Americana Tour to the Canadian leg of his tour, delivering a performance that combined musical prowess with breathtaking visual theater.
The Grand Stage Reveal
Even before the show began, anticipation built around the mysterious stage setup visible through red curtains. Concertgoers speculated about the giant outstretched arm towering above the stage, with predictions ranging from zip-line entrances to aerial performances. When the curtains finally dropped, they revealed an anguished Statue of Liberty that appeared to be either sinking into or emerging from the stage, setting the tone for what would become one of the most elaborate productions in Saddledome history.
The November 29, 2025 performance marked MGK's first Canadian stop on his current tour, drawing a jam-packed crowd to the iconic Calgary venue. The 35-year-old artist, born Colson Baker, made his dramatic entrance by rising through the statue's open mouth as her eyes glowed ominously behind him, immediately launching into electrifying renditions of Outlaw Overture and Starman.
Two Hours of Spectacle and Surprises
The concert proved to be a joyfully over-stuffed affair featuring more than 30 songs across two hours. MGK led his six-piece band through an explosive, exciting, and often surprisingly touching spectacle that reveled in its Planet of the Apes and Wizard of Oz visual motifs. The production included multiple stunning moments that kept the audience captivated throughout the evening.
One of the most memorable visual elements occurred when MGK perched atop the statue's outstretched arm to perform the acoustic pop-punk number Goddamn, while a giant lighter rose to light a massive cigarette dangling from Lady Liberty's hand. The show also featured humorous video segments, including commentary from a fictional super fan critiquing MGK's genre transformations over the years.
Technical elements included choreographed numbers with dancers, a guitar that shot cascading sparks, and floating platforms that carried MGK and opening act Julia Wolf during their duet cover of the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris. Despite the complexity of the production, minor flubs including forgotten lyrics and a wardrobe malfunction with MGK's belt added an endearing quality to the performance.
Intimate Moments Amid the Bombast
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the concert was the touching intimacy MGK created within the massive production. Midway through the show, he made his way through the crowd to a small side stage where he sat on a stool for a mesmerizing run of Who I Was, his recent duet with rapper NF, followed by a cover of Zach Bryan's Sun to Me that featured him singing with two children from the audience.
The emotional highlight came when he performed Play This When I'm Gone, a ballad written for his oldest daughter Casie, while family home movies played on screens behind him. These quieter moments demonstrated that beneath the flamboyant theatrics, heartfelt musical performances remained at the core of the experience.
Opening act Julia Wolf, a New York indie-pop singer who recently recorded with Drake, delivered a solid set of powerfully-sung emo anthems from a smaller stage. While her spartan backdrop couldn't prepare the audience for the spectacle to follow, her performance showcased the musical foundation that MGK would later build upon with his shock-and-awe production.
The concert proved that while elaborate stage design can create unforgettable moments, genuine musical connection remains equally powerful. MGK's Calgary performance successfully balanced both elements, creating what many attendees will remember as a landmark event in the Saddledome's concert history.
