NF, whose real name is Nathan Feuerstein, launched his long-awaited HOPE Tour with a bang, delivering an energy-filled performance for a sold-out crowd at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday evening (July 12).
The highly-anticipated trek served as the official kick-off to the North American leg of NF’s HOPE Tour.
“This is mind-blowing man. I was talking to my manager earlier and I was like I think the first show I played here was like 300 people and tonight it’s over 12,000 people. So thank you so much,” he told the capacity crowd during the show. “Thank you so much for real, this is crazy. It’s a dream come true for me. So, thank you!”
His exhilarating performance on the HOPE Tour boasts of an incredible production value that included massive video walls, fog, lasers, lifts, dark moody lighting, and even a B-stage in the back of the arena.
The Michigan-born rapper and producer offered a 25 song set list that included fan-favorite hits such “Time,” “My Stress,” “When I Grow Up,” “The Search,” “Hate Myself,” “CLOUDS,” “WHY” as well as 10 songs from HOPE, including “HOPE,” “MOTTO,” “MAMA,” “HAPPY,” “Pandemonium,” “SUFFICE,” “GONE,” “RUNNING,” and “CAREFUL,” a collaboration with Cordae.
NF left emotions running high as fans experienced the raw and vulnerable side of the critically acclaimed rapper.
Emotional Performance Of “Mama”
NF’s show also featured an emotional moment when he paid tribute to his late mother with a performance of “Mama.”
In the midst of his headlining set after performing “Hate Myself,” the stage backdrop suddenly transformed into a montage of personal family footage, featuring clips of NF and his family (including his mom and dad), just before he launched into the song “Mama.” The family footage continued to flood the backdrop throughout his several-minute performance of the track, which the sold-out arena helped him sing.
While performing the heartfelt tune, NF couldn’t control his emotions and his voice cracked while singing the final verse of the track.
“I pray you see me down here lookin’ up / Still got a lot of things that I need healing from / But I’ll get there eventually, so don’t you worry none / I just hope you finally got some peace…” NF rapped before he pulled the microphone away from his face and put his head into his lap as he broke down in tears.
His loyal fan base showcased their support for the emotional moment as they cheered him on and chanted his name.
Known for his introspective and deeply personal lyrics, NF connected with his audience on a profound level, delivering a performance that resonated with the hearts of those in attendance. The show is move than a concert, but an emotional journey and a moving experience.
Following the show, NF took to social media to commemorate the show, and graciously thank fans for making his dream a reality.
“Last night was a night I will remember for the rest of my life. I’ve had a dream for a while now to someday play arenas ,and I just wanna say thank you for making that a reality,” NF said.
North American Leg Of NF’s HOPE Tour Is Nearly Sold-Out
NF’s HOPE Tour will visit North America, Canada, Europe, and the U.K. Produced by Live Nation, the 31-city North American leg will continue with a sold-out concert at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL on Friday, July 14. The nearly sold-out stint includes stops in Grand Rapids, Newark, Boston, Anaheim, Denver and more before wrapping up in Laval, QC at Place Bell on Sunday, September 3. Limited tickets remain and are available HERE.
The European/UK leg of the tour, which kicks off September 23, is completely sold out.
Cordae serves as support on the US and Canada dates.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit HERE.
NF’s HOPE Tour Set List
1. HOPE
2. MOTTO
3. CAREFUL
4. The Search
5. Leave Me Alone
6. My Stress
7. Time
8. PAID MY DUES
9. WHY
10. -Interlude-
11. Hate Myself
12. MAMA
13. HAPPY
14. PANDEMONIUM
15. SUFFICE
16. Let You Down
17. GONE
18. RUNNING
19. When I Grow Up
20. Returns
21. CLOUDS
See Photos And Videos From The Show Below
New Album, HOPE
The HOPE Tour comes in support of his latest album, HOPE, which arrived on April 7, 2023, via NF Real Music/Virgin Music/Capitol Music. The 13-track project, produced by NF, David Garcia, Saint X and Tommee Profitt, also features “MOTTO,” “Happy,” “Hope,” and the fan-favorite tune “Pandemonium” as well as collaborations with Julia Michaels (“GONE”) and rapper Cordae (“CAREFUL”).
HOPE follows the release of NF’s platinum-selling fourth studio album, The Search (2019), as well as the critically acclaimed projects Perception (2017), Therapy Session (2016), his major label debut, Mansion (2015) and Moments (2010).
The new project, which also follows 2021’s Clouds (The Mixtape), debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 123,000 album-equivalent units sold of which 80,500 were pure album sales. The album became NF’s third top 10 album and his fourth top 10 project overall.
“HOPE”
He first announced the project in February of 2023 when he released the album’s title track, “HOPE.” The tune finds NF confronting his inner struggles directly, determined to uphold the most authentic version of himself, as he navigates the challenges of maintaining his faith and embracing fatherhood.
“Thirty years of running, thirty years of searching / Thirty years of hurting, thirty years of pain / Thirty years of fearful, thirty years of anger / Thirty years of empty, thirty years of shame,” he raps on the track. “You’ll never evolve, I know I can change / We are not enough, we are not the same / You don’t have the heart, you don’t have the strength / You don’t have the will, you don’t have the faith / You’ll never be loved, you’ll never be safe / Might as well give up, not running away / You don’t have the guts, you’re the one afraid / I’m the one in charge / I’m taking the— (No) / I’m taking the / Reins.”
At the time, NF also dropped the music video for the tune, which was directed by Feuerstein with frequent collaborator Patrick Tohill. In the clip, NF is seen standing on a wooden raft amidst a vast body of water, symbolizing his struggle with personal demons. He battles his inner turmoil as he makes his way towards the shore, only to be dragged down into an abandoned home, representing his internal struggles. The video captures moments of NF appearing lost and reflective atop a mountain, symbolizing his contemplation of his past self and the journey he has undertaken. Through powerful imagery, the video portrays NF’s emotional journey and the quest for hope in the face of adversity.
See a full list of NF’s remaining HOPE Tour dates below.
U.S. And Canada Tour Dates
July
14 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena
15 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
16 — Lincoln, NE — Pinnacle Bank Arena
18 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
20 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
21 — Boston, MA — Agganis Arena
22 — Philadelphia, PA — The Liacouras Center
24 — Greensboro, NC — Greensboro Coliseum Complex
25 — Huntsville, AL — Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center
26 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
28 — Orlando, FL — Addition Financial Arena ^
29 — Duluth, GA — Gas South Arena
31 — North Little Rock, AR — Simmons Bank Arena
August
1 — Tulsa, OK — BOK Center
2 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
4 — Glendale, AZ — Desert Diamond Arena
5 — Anaheim, CA — Honda Center
6 — San Francisco, CA — Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
8 — Portland, OR — Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9 — Seattle, WA — WAMU Theater
11 — Salt Lake City, UT — Vivint Arena *
12 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
23 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
25 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
26 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
27 — Saskatoon, SK — SaskTel Centre
29 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
September
1 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
2 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
3 — Laval, QC — Place Bell
^Without support from Cordae
Europe And U.K. Tour Dates
September
23 — Milan, Italy — Fabrique
24 — Zurich, Switzerland — Halle 622
26 — Vienna, Austria — Gasometer
27 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
29 — Düsseldorf, Germany — Mitsubishi Electric Halle
30 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — AFAS Live
October
1 — Paris, France — L’Olympia
3 — Frankfurt, Germany — Jahrhunderthalle
5 — Hamburg, Germany — Sporthalle
6 — Berlin, Germany — Max-Schmeling-Halle
8 — Brussels, Belgium — Forest National
10 — Manchester, UK — O2 Victoria Warehouse
11 — Glasgow, UK — O2 Academy
12 — Dublin, Ireland — 3Olympia Theatre
14 — Cardiff, UK — Great Hall
15 — London, UK — Eventim Apollo
