Paycor Stadium | Cincinnati OH
Music Under the Stars!
The Cincinnati Music Festival is always one of the highlights of the summer, and this year was no different. Held at Paycor Stadium on July 26th and 27th, the event brought together an incredible lineup of R&B and soul artists, and despite the hot weather, we didn’t have a single complaint—it was dry (no rain), and that was all that mattered!
Day 1:
The first night was a bit of a challenge. Traffic was a mess, and finding parking was like searching for a needle in a haystack. But once we managed to navigate through all of that, we were ready for a night of music. However, by the time we made it to the stadium, we realized we had missed the first act—Dayton’s own Lakeside. As we stood in line, we could hear their signature hit, “Fantastic Voyage,” playing in the background. Ahhh, dang😢 … But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits. The rest of the night was ours to enjoy.
The lineup kicked off with one of R&B’s newest sensations, October London. His smooth vocals set the tone for the evening. Then came Fantasia, who, as always, put on an unforgettable performance. While it wasn’t a typical Tasia concert, her energy was infectious as she sang her popular hits. You could tell she was there to have a good time, and so were we!
Ne-Yo followed and brought the house down with his grooves. His energetic performance, complete with dancers, had everyone on their feet. He also reminded us of his songwriting prowess, having penned hits for countless other artists.
Finally, the night’s headliner, Maxwell, took the stage. Now, those who know me know I love me some Maxwell! But I have to be honest—his outfit that night just didn’t do him justice. Still, his voice made up for it, and I was in heaven listening to his smooth, melodic sound. However, I couldn’t help but feel that his vibe might not have been the best fit as the headliner for this event. With the long workday, Friday, and the late hour, quite a few people started leaving during his set, which stretched past midnight. But not me—I wasn’t going anywhere. He’s my man, after all (don’t judge me)! Maxwell graciously thanked those who stayed, and I was glad I did because I can listen to him sing to me all night. 😍
Day 2:
With the traffic and parking struggles of Day 1 behind us, Day 2 went off without a hitch. We caught every act, and what a lineup it was!
The evening began with Stokely from Mint Condition, who serenaded us with his solo work and even gave us some Rick James (He played him in a stageplay) Next up were the Funky Divas, En Vogue. I love these ladies and their music, and they did not disappoint. Their set was a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern flair, complete with stunning background imagery.
Then came Grammy-winner Coco Jones. While I knew her name and a popular song or two, I have to admit, she felt a bit out of place in the lineup. Her performance was good, but it went on a bit too long, and I found myself checking my watch a few times. Don’t get me wrong, Coco has a bright future ahead, but I think she needs a bit more time to make her mark, release a full project, and work her way up to more stage time.
The night picked up quickly with KEM, who, as always, delivered a fantastic show. His distinct vocals and engaging stage presence had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
And then, the ultimate moment of the evening—the headliner, New Edition! Now, THIS was a party. From the moment they stepped on stage and launched into “Candy Girl,” the energy was electric. No one was leaving early this time. It was high energy from start to finish, and they brought the house down.
Overall:
The event was a resounding success—a fun, two-day celebration of music that I’m so glad I didn’t miss. Great job, Cincinnati Music Fest—what I like to call our Mini-Essence Festival! Looking forward to hearing who makes the lineup next year! 👍🏽
