All you need to know for Kendrick Lamar and SZA gig

Days after Birmingham rocked out to heavy metal legends Black Sabbath, it is preparing to welcome two more critically acclaimed musical superstars.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA perform at Villa Park on Thursday as part of their Grand National Tour of 13 European stadiums.

Their tour was reported last month to have become the highest-grossing co-headline tour ever, making in excess of $250m on the North American leg alone.

Roads are closed around the venue, with doors opening at 16:30 BST. The show starts at 19:00 and is expected to run until 22:30.

The rapper and R&B singer-songwriter's powerful half-time performances at the Super Bowl in February were broadcast to a TV audience of more than 130 million.

After Birmingham, the pair will perform dates in Cardiff and London, before further shows in Europe, South America and Australia.

The joint headliners are expected to alternate performances, and come together for duets such as ballad All the Stars.

According to Setlist.fm, their gig at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Tuesday showcased a 52-song playlist.

Lamar opened with Wacced Out Murals and performed five tracks before SZA arrived on stage with 30 for 30 then Love Galore.

The show closed with another duet, Gloria.

Concert-goers are asked not to bring a bag where possible, and anything larger than A4 size will not be allowed.

Sealed plastic water bottles under 500ml are permitted for seated customers, but bottle tops will be removed on entry and any other food or drink confiscated.

Small cameras, sun cream and walking aids can be brought, but a banned list of items includes alcohol, umbrellas, flags and banners, glass and pyrotechnics.

Smoking and vaping is also banned in the stadium, although there are extended outdoor concourses on stands.

Staff will be carrying out searches, the venue confirmed.

Road closures are in place around the stadium from 13:00 and will remain until about midnight or once the areas are clear,

Trinity Road will be shut between the junctions with Witton Lane and Nelson Road, and Witton Lane from Witton Island to Trinity Road.

Residential areas around the stadium do not allow parking and parking at the stadium is unavailable, organisers said.

However, there are car parks within a 45-minute walk or in the city centre, with an official shuttle bus running from Dudley Street, near New Street Station, to Villa Park for £7.50 each way.

Transport for West Midlands warned buses and trains in the area would be busy and some buses would be diverted away from the area post-concert.

There will be additional trains running to Witton and Aston stations, which are about a five- and 15-minute walk from the venue.

The last train leaves from Witton to Rugeley Trent Valley at 23:32 and to Birmingham New Street at 23:48.

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