In recent years, Megan Thee Stallion’s name has often been linked with controversy. Whether that’s from her horrific shooting, legal wars with her old label, or allegedly using bots to boost streaming numbers, the Houston Hottie can’t catch a break in the public eye. But, now newly independent, she’s self-funded the ‘Hot Girl Summer Tour’ – her first-ever headline world tour and a major milestone for the artist. As it comes to a close at The O2 in London tonight (July 17), nothing can overshadow the entertaining free-for-all that is about to ensue.
The 29-year-old announces her presence with a thunderous boom, triggering a massive roar from her adoring fans. Red-hot embers flicker up the screen, soon morphing into a colossal blaze as Thee Stallion rises from the ground on a stage lift. With her hand on her hip and head to the sky, she exudes confidence while kicking things off with the powerfully brazen ‘HISS’.
After a fierce start, Megan reminds the crowd they “came here to have a motherfucking time” and, as the Hot Girl Coach, she wants London to show her “what they got”. So, to test if the city’s energy is as legendary as often told, she brings out her dancers and plays a slew of her cult classics such as ‘Freak Nasty’ and ‘Thot Shit’, the audience’s wild enthusiasm shooting through the roof. Many twirl their hips to Thee Stallion’s signature tunes, while others try to mimic the intricate choreography done by Meg and her backup, proving that, years on, these songs still have the same enthralling effect.
Throughout the night, there are numerous outfit changes and intermissions. After the first, MTS rises from the ground again, this time in an iridescent snake egg to perform the self-assured ‘Plan B’. The second time she leaves the stage, she recreates her own Instagram livestream as the camera crew randomly puts a spotlight on her fans before emerging once again in a bronze outfit.
The highlight of the night was the live debut of her viral song ‘Mamushi’. Megan teases the crowd – saying she “has something cute for the last ‘Hot Girl Summer’ arena tour show” – before inviting Yuki Chiba to perform their chart-climber together. The duo recreate the popular TikTok dance, sliding their hands down their arms every time the chorus hits.
The original Hot Girl’s biggest London show to date closes with her Billboard Number One ‘Savage (Remix)’, giving her all for the last dance number of her entire tour. While the outro rings through the arena and confetti flies everywhere, Megan stands on stage in glee, telling the audience she “can’t believe” she’s successfully finished her first big feat as an independent artist. The night – which is an exuberant celebration of fun, twerking and self-confidence – ends with her trademark statement that never gets old: “Real hot girl shit!”
Megan Thee Stallion played:
‘HISS’
‘Ungrateful’
‘Thot Shit’
‘Freak Nasty’
‘Megan’s Piano’
‘Gift & a Curse’
‘Hot Girl’
‘Kitty Kat’
‘Cobra’
‘Plan B’
‘Cognac Queen’
‘Big Ole Freak’
‘Girls in the Hood’
‘BOA’
‘Sex Talk’
‘Realer’
‘What’s New’
‘Captain Hook’
‘Wanna Be’
‘WAP’
‘Mamushi’ (With Yuki Chiba)
‘Cash Shit’
‘Where Them Girls At’
‘Savage (Remix)’