Kevin Gates Brings His #BigLyfeTour to Chicago’s Riviera Theatre

Written By | Theresa Cwiek

Louisiana rapper Kevin Gates brought the Big Lyfe Tour to the Riviera Theatre in Chicago, Illinois this week. Accompanied by Hunxho, Morray and DJ Chose, the show packed out the historical 2,500 cap room in the Uptown neighborhood.

After Hunxho, Morray and DJ Chose warmed up the crowd, Kevin Gates took center stage in a spotlight with just his mic stand and a piano player twinkling away. Gates opened up with his ballad “Scars” off of his newest album Khaza (2022), singing “you could cover all these scars up in diamonds, but it’s still gon’ hurt” while the jewelry on his wrists and earlobes gleamed in the spotlight.

See more photos of Kevin Gates HERE

While most of his interludes between songs were heartfelt moments of speaking about the importance of mental health and therapy, he definitely had moments of absolute turn up. Fans in the balcony thrusted their stacked beer cups high into the air and fans on the floor started getting down when Gates performed “Arm and Hammer” “Thinking With My Dick” and “Really Really”, among other hits. Hype music, therapeutic tunes, and even a raunchy segment where he described romantic sexual acts he likes to perform filled the night.

See more photos of Kevin Gates HERE

When it came time for the encore, Gates performed a little skit on stage live for the audience. An iPhone ringer started to go off and he answered it, telling the caller that he’s in Chicago for the night and to call back when they reach the check point. He abruptly ends the call only for a different ringtone to start playing. He reaches into his other pocket and picks up the second phone. This time we can hear the other line and they confirm that it’s time. “Alright, bet” Gates says before “2 Phones” starts and the crowd goes wild.

Kevin Gates is on his Big Lyfe Tour across the United States this fall, wrapping up in Missoula, Montana on November 10th.

Photos By | Theresa Cwiek