The Anita Max Win Tour is the ongoing seventh concert tour by Canadian rapper Drake. It commenced on February 4, 2025 in Perth.

The tour was announced on November 29, 2024, with seven dates across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland. The total number of shows was doubled by December 18, introducing a two-date stopover in Perth, and on January 14, 2025, further shows were added in Sydney and Brisbane. On January 29, the Auckland dates, originally set for February 28 and March 1, 2025, were rescheduled to conclude the tour on March 16. On February 25, the final four shows were abruptly cancelled due to scheduling conflicts: the affected dates are set to be rescheduled and additional shows are planned.

Background

The tour, which is Drake's first in Oceania in eight years, since the Boy Meets World Tour (2017),[3][4] is named after the "Anita Max Wynn" character first introduced by Drake on a December 2023 Kick live stream: the character's name is a pun on the gambling phrase "I need a max win", which refers to hitting the maximum payout on a slot machine.[5]

The tour was announced on November 29, 2024, with seven dates across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland.[6] Due to overwhelming demand, this was doubled by December 18, with additional shows added in Australia, including the introduction of a two-date stopover in Perth.[7] The tour was extended on January 14, 2025 to include further shows in Sydney and Brisbane.[8] On January 29, the Auckland dates were rescheduled from February 28 and March 1, 2025, to March 15 and March 16, respectively, due to scheduling conflicts.[9][10] On February 25, the tour, which was set to conclude on March 16, in Auckland, was abruptly cancelled due to scheduling conflicts: the affected dates are set to be rescheduled,[11][12] with a spokesperson for Drake confirming that further shows are also planned, although, dates are yet to be determined.[13]

According to The Courier-Mail, key stage equipment, including the central clear walkway used for the main performance, was shipped to Europe at the end of February and will arrive in the continent by late April.[14] Georgia Clelland of The Courier-Mail speculated this may indicate a European leg of the tour to either begin or conclude with Drake's appearance as headliner for Wireless Festival in London in July 2025.[15]

Concert synopsis

An Anita Max Win Tour show consists of between 40 and 42 songs and lasts just over 2 hours,[16] with Drake addressing the crowd throughout the show. The songs are broadly played in order of release from each studio album (except for 2010's Thank Me Later) of his discography. Select songs which contain guest appearances by Drake are also performed. The concert staging features Drake performing on a giant, lateral clear walkway.[17]

Prior to the start of the show, Drake enters the arena through the crowd by descending its steps flanked by security. He wears a custom-made hoodie covered in bulletholes, with smoke also flowing from the back of the garment, while the instrumental for "Over My Dead Body" plays.[18] According to David Friend of The Canadian Press, the attire and show introduction symbolizes that Drake is "still standing" following his publicized rap feud with Kendrick Lamar and other artists in 2024.[19]

The tour attracted widespread attention for Drake giving out large sums of money to some concertgoers during the shows: this led to several subsequent ticketholders at other dates appearing with signs asking for financial aid,[12] which Brenna Cooper of LADbible labelled as "genuinely dystopian".[20][21]

Set list

This set list was taken from the show in Perth on February 4, 2025. It does not represent all shows throughout the tour.[22][23]

  1. "Over My Dead Body" (Instrumental)
  2. "Marvins Room"
  3. "Headlines"
  4. "HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)"
  5. "The Motto"
  6. "She Will" (Drake's contributions only)
  7. "Love Me" (Drake's contributions only)
  8. "Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2" (Instrumental)
  9. "Started from the Bottom"
  10. "Hold On, We're Going Home"
  11. "My Way (Remix)" (Drake's contributions only)
  12. "Energy"
  13. "Know Yourself"
  14. "Hotline Bling"
  15. "Feel No Ways"
  16. "Childs Play"
  17. "Controlla"
  18. "One Dance"
  19. "Passionfruit"
  20. "Fake Love"
  21. "God's Plan"
  22. "Nonstop"
  23. "In My Feelings"
  24. "Nice for What"
  25. "Ratchet Happy Birthday"
  26. "Sicko Mode" (Drake's contributions only)
  27. "No Guidance" (Drake's contributions only)
  28. "Laugh Now Cry Later"
  29. "What's Next"
  30. "Wants and Needs"
  31. "Girls Want Girls"
  32. "Knife Talk"
  33. "Massive"
  34. "Jimmy Cooks"
  35. "Rich Flex"
  36. "Search & Rescue"
  37. "Rich Baby Daddy"
  38. "IDGAF"
  39. "You Broke My Heart"
  40. "No Face"
  41. "Circadian Rhythm"
  42. "Yebba's Heartbreak" (Instrumental)

Tour dates

List of concerts, showing date, city, country, and venue
Date City Country Venue
Oceania[24][25][26]
February 4, 2025 Perth Australia RAC Arena
February 5, 2025
February 9, 2025 Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
February 10, 2025
February 12, 2025
February 13, 2025
February 16, 2025 Sydney Qudos Bank Arena
February 17, 2025
February 19, 2025
February 20, 2025
February 24, 2025 Brisbane Brisbane Entertainment Centre
February 25, 2025
TBA[c]
TBA[d] Sydney Qudos Bank Arena
TBA[e] Auckland New Zealand Spark Arena
TBA[f]

Notes

Footnotes

  1. ^ Set to span 16 shows and conclude on March 16, 2025, the tour's final four shows were postponed and an undetermined number of extra dates will be added.[1]
  2. ^ Set to span 16 shows and conclude on March 16, 2025, the tour's final four shows were postponed and an undetermined number of extra dates will be added.[2]
  3. ^ The third show in Brisbane was originally scheduled for March 4, 2025 but will be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.[27]
  4. ^ The fifth show in Sydney was originally scheduled for March 7, 2025 but will be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.[28]
  5. ^ The first show in Auckland, originally set for February 28, 2025 was rescheduled to March 15:[29] it will be further rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.[30]
  6. ^ The second show in Auckland, originally set for March 1, 2025 was rescheduled to March 16:[31] it will be further rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts.[32]

Reception

Drake’s Anita Max Wynn Tour in Australia and New Zealand, his first in the region in eight years, received a mix of positive reviews and logistical criticisms. While praised for its energetic performances and fan engagement, the tour faced some ticketing concerns and scheduling adjustments.

Tour Kickoff and Performance

The tour began on February 4, 2025, at RAC Arena in Perth. Drake performed a setlist spanning his career, featuring over 40 songs, including deep cuts and live debuts. The production incorporated theatrical elements such as a dramatic entrance through clouds of smoke, as well as direct audience interactions, including a moment where he performed in the general admission pit during "God’s Plan".[33]

Fan Experience and Engagement

Drake’s interactions with fans were a highlight of the tour. In Melbourne, he gave away a total of $45,000 across two concerts, including $25,000 to a fan who honored his son and $20,000 to another celebrating her birthday.[34] His generosity and crowd engagement were widely discussed among attendees and on social media.

Logistical Challenges

The tour’s scheduling underwent adjustments, with the initial announcement stating a February 9, 2025, start date before it was moved up to February 4.[35] Later, on February 26, 2025, Drake postponed the remaining shows in Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland due to "scheduling conflicts." A statement from his team indicated plans to reschedule the concerts, with ticket holders given the option of keeping their tickets for the new dates or requesting refunds.[36]

References

  1. ^ "Drake Postpones Remaining Anita Max Win Tour Dates". Vibe. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Drake Postpones Remaining Anita Max Win Tour Dates". Vibe. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  3. ^ Woodley, Melissa; Stubbs, Winnie (December 13, 2024). "Drake confirms Australian tour: here's everything to know about dates, locations and tickets". Time Out. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Brandle, Lars (December 13, 2024). "Drake's 2025 'Anita Max Win Tour' Will Visit Perth". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Lynch, Jessica (November 25, 2024). "Drake Confirms Australia 'Anita Max Wynn' 2025 Tour". Billboard Canada. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  6. ^ Peters, Daniel (November 29, 2024). "Drake reveals Australia and New Zealand 'Anita Max Win' tour dates for 2025". NME. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Margolius, Zach (December 18, 2024). "Drake: Canadian rapper announces second Perth show at RAC Arena for The Anita Max Win Tour in February 2025". PerthNow. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Varvaris, Mary (January 14, 2025). "More Dates Added To Drake's 2025 Australian Tour". The Music.
  9. ^ Arambepola, Sanda (January 29, 2025). "Drake's Australian Tour Unaffected By Postponed New Zealand Dates". Stuff New Zealand. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Varvaris, Mary (January 30, 2025). "Drake's Australian Tour Unaffected By Postponed New Zealand Dates". TheMusic. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  11. ^ Cline, Georgette (February 26, 2025). "Drake Leaves Fans Bewildered After Canceling Remaining Shows on Anita Max Win Tour". XXL. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Friend, David (February 26, 2025). "Drake cancels dates on Australia, New Zealand tour due to 'scheduling conflict'". thecanadianpressnews.ca. The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (February 26, 2025). "Drake cancels remainder of Australian tour due to 'scheduling conflict'". RapUp. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  14. ^ Bond, Nick (February 26, 2025). "Drake cancels remainder of Australian tour due to 'scheduling conflict'". News Corp Australia. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Clelland, Georgia (February 27, 2025). "Drake's sudden tour cancellation: Is a secret European tour the real reason?". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  16. ^ Suffolk, Anna (February 5, 2025). "Drake Anita Max Win tour setlist: Full list of songs". Capital Xtra. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  17. ^ Bond, Nick (February 26, 2025). "Drake cancels remainder of Australian tour due to 'scheduling conflict'". News Corp Australia. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  18. ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (February 4, 2025). "Drake Leans Into the Hate With Hoodie Full of Bulletholes on Tour". XXL. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  19. ^ Friend, David (February 4, 2025). "Down Under, but not out: Drake returns in Australia, dons bullet-riddled hoodie". The Spec. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  20. ^ Duran, Anagricel (February 20, 2025). "Drake fans go viral for "genuinely dystopian" gig signs asking him for money". NME. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  21. ^ "Drake fans slammed as 'genuinely dystopian' photo taken at his Australian show goes viral". LADbible. February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  22. ^ Suffolk, Anna (February 5, 2025). "Drake Anita Max Win tour setlist: Full list of songs". Capital Xtra. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  23. ^ Varvaris, Mary (February 5, 2025). "Drake 'Anita Max Win' Australian Tour Setlist Revealed". TheMusic. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  24. ^ "Drake Adds Second And Final Perth Show To 'The Anita Max Win Tour' Due To Overwhelming Demand". Live Nation Entertainment. December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  25. ^ Downs, Sarah (January 29, 2025). "Drake Reschedules 'Anita Max Win' New Zealand Tour Dates". The Brag. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  26. ^ Richard, Jared (February 26, 2025). "Drake cancels remaining Australia and New Zealand shows, citing 'scheduling conflict'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  27. ^ Rahman, Abid (February 26, 2025). "Drake Cancels Remaining Australia, New Zealand Tour Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  28. ^ Rahman, Abid (February 26, 2025). "Drake Cancels Remaining Australia, New Zealand Tour Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  29. ^ Rose, Tom (January 29, 2025). "Drake reschedules Auckland shows, fans scramble to change flights, accommodation". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  30. ^ "Drake Officially Cancels Remaining AU/NZ Tour Dates Due to 'Scheduling Conflict'". Rolling Stone Australia. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  31. ^ Rose, Tom (January 29, 2025). "Drake reschedules Auckland shows, fans scramble to change flights, accommodation". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  32. ^ "Drake Officially Cancels Remaining AU/NZ Tour Dates Due to 'Scheduling Conflict'". Rolling Stone Australia. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  33. ^ "From Smoke Machines to Pit Performances, Drake's Perth Set Had It All". Rolling Stone Australia. February 5, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Drake Gifts $45K to Fans at Australia's Anita Max Wynn Tour". Billboard Canada. February 10, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "Drake Confirms Australia Anita Max Wynn Tour 2025". Billboard Canada. November 20, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  36. ^ "Drake Postpones Rest of Down Under Tour Dates Due to 'Scheduling Conflict'". People. February 26, 2025. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Max_Win_Tour
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