MGK is no stranger to reinventing himself – and in the process, changing the entire industry. Fresh off the release of his new album, the Lost Americana tour rolled into Philadelphia this week, giving him a chance to focus on the future of his sound while also reflecting on the journey that brought him here.
The tour marks a unique turning point in MGK’s career as he enters a period of newfound sobriety, embraces another genre shift (sort of), and reflects on the five-year anniversary of the critically successful Tickets to My Downfall era. In the five years since that album’s release, MGK has climbed from mid-sized venues to sold-out arenas and amphitheaters around the world, even headlining the Vans Warped Tour. However, he isn’t solely focused on the past. The Lost Americana tour allows him to present not only the best version of himself to his fans, but also the most authentic music he’s made in some time. If the Tickets era was the party, think of Lost Americana as the morning after—you’re not sad about the great time you had, but picking up the pieces can get messy.
The tour, much like the album, kicked off with the anthem “Outlaw Overture” as MGK rose from beneath the stage into a massive Statue of Liberty–inspired set. A single guitar slowly descended from the sky, and the night began – without letting up until the final song. For the first quarter of the show, fans were treated to new tracks like “Starman” and “Run Fast, Don’t Wait,” followed by a rap medley, a blistering performance of “Floor 13,” and several fan favorites.
The setlist was a curated masterpiece, with Tickets to My Downfall tracks, B-sides, and extras spaced out in five- to six-song gaps, allowing each era room to breathe. The middle of the set saw MGK leave the stage and head to the back of the arena for a small acoustic performance before returning to the main stage to finish the night. Highlights included the first—and only—performance of “5150” on this tour, as well as a surprise at the B-stage with “Sun to Me.”
After the Tickets songs wrapped up, MGK looked ahead, closing the show with some of the strongest tracks from his new album. A rapid-fire run of “Cliché,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Vampire Diaries” transformed the crowd from a mosh pit to a full-on dance floor to end the night.
It’s still early in this new era for MGK, and according to him, a rap album is already on the horizon. If he’s shown us anything over the last five years, it’s to never doubt him, his fans, or his music. MGK is in the best era of his career with Lost Americana—because he’s found himself, he’s found his light, and he’s allowed his older work to take on an entirely new life.
MGK Tour
Photos: Matt Christine / Rock Documented – Xfinity Mobile Arena
