Concert Reviews

The #For MyFansTour celebrates Life, Love, Music, and More- with @maryjblige @neyocompound @lenovocenter #raleighnc @LiveNationNCSC 📸 @333LovelyLeslie | SobeSavvy.com 

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Are you wondering What’s The 411 on Mary J. Blige: The For My Fans Tour featuring NE-YO and Mario …then you have come to the right place!

The For My Fans Tour, which made its second stop in Raleigh, NC on Friday, January 31,2025 at the Lenovo Center, is a celebration of the love she has for her life & fans but also an appreciation for good music. The DJ announced that it was sold out and did a good job playing old school jams to get us ready for a great night!

Speaking of music, she has a new album (her 15th) called “Gratitude “ and was also recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so the atmosphere was filled with excitement and celebration. 

Having both Ne-Yo and Mario on the tour to serenade the ladies and entertain the gents was a nice touch!  I especially loved Ne-Yo‘s vocals and dazzling choreography paired so perfectly with his hits like “Miss Independent” , “Sexy Love”,   “So Sick”. and “Champagne Life”. His set showcased his ballads, his features and what he called his turn up section. NE-YO is an amazing songwriter, producer, dancer, singer and a consumate professional. It was my first time seeing him live but it won’t be the last.

Baltimore, Maryland is my hometown, so I was routing for and happy to learn Mario would be on this tour. However, he only came out to the stage to sing one of my favorite songs “Let Me Love You” during Mary’s set at the end. This may have been due to the show starting two hours late. His vocals still wowed us all and it was worth the wait! 

The moment we all were waiting for arrived! Mary J Blige came in hot and blazed the stage. Her entrance was grand and her set was designed for The Queen of Hip Hop Soul! She took us on a musical journey with hit after hit of old and new songs like “Take Me As I Am”, “Be Happy” , “The One”, “My Life  and “Just Fine” to name a few. I especially loved her sharing the story of her father fighting in Vietnam and how music helped him. Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Keep Your Head” was the song that he played all the time and Mary J. Blige delivered a wonderful rendition of that classic! 

The iconic Mary J Blige, was the background soundtrack to the life of every Gen X and older Millenials. However her fans were a mix of all age groups, genders and races. She did about 30 songs that we were all happy to sing along with and just vibe. From her aerial ride that took her over her adoring fans, along with her signature dance and of course fashion, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul gave us moments to remember and celebrate! Her concert ended up being like a karaoke party with thousands of friends reciting her song lyrics. It definitely was a “Family Affair”. 

So now that you know that The #For MyFansTour celebrates Life, Love, Music, and More- get your tickets at MaryJBlige.com!

👀Watch my YOUTUBE , to see some more vibes and memorable moments from the For My Fans Tour in Raleigh, NC 👏🏽👏🏽

Concert REVIEW | Kehlani Mesmerizes Fans on the Crash World Tour in Raleigh, NC with special guests FLO & Anycia #CrashTour #LiveNation

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On ‘Nights Like This’, you can expect an eargasmic experience from KEHLANI at the CRASH WORLD TOUR with special guests FLO & ANYCIA!

The #CrashTour came to Raleigh, NC on OCTOBER 1, 2024 | TUESDAY 7:30 PM at RED HAT AMPHITHEATER. We were all ready for the kind of good ‘Distraction’ our soul needs by way of good music and good vibes. The concert opening acts, girl group FLO and rapper, Anyica both gave fantastic performances. 

Then Kehlani came to the stage and started singing “Next 2 You” and from that moment you knew it was going to be a magical night! The crowd was mesmerized by the presence of Kehlani. One fan shared with me that many of the songs helped her get through some tough moments in her life. The setlist consisted of old hits, new faves and at the Raleigh show there was even a proposal to “Marry You”. 

🎶 Here’s a Spotify playlist of Kehlani’s setlist from Crash World Tour 2024: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44CJwAYG80YQfxV8794bot?si=MlUrc1XKTLa5qrEUIUpxlg&pi=u-xjJQ5kN4QLGN

‘Can I’ just tell you that the whole show was beyond amazing! The Band, The Dancers and of course Kehlani is an incredibly beautiful & talented performer who really knows how to connect to the audience. We all truly wanted to stay ‘After Hours’, because even with the light rain no one wanted to leave. Such high energy! 

If you enjoy live music with lyrics that make you feel and sends chills thru your whole being, then you must get your ticket >> https://www.kehlani.com/  Produced by Live Nation, the 31-city tour (which goes until November 2nd, 2024) was highly anticipated following the release of Kehlani’s new album, CRASH. The songs on the album have a beautiful sound and stories that we all can relate to. 

Check out some of my favorite moments from the concert and if you were there I’d love to hear what you thought of the show (or your fave Kehlani song) in the comments below! ⬇️

TikTok Recap : https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8RsjcS8/

X/Twitter Recap: https://x.com/sobesavvy/status/1841488675126874351?s=46

👀Watch YouTube Vlog ⤵️

Recap | Kehlani Crash World Tour

REVIEW | Sing, Dance and Praise at One Hallelujah Tour 2024 | Raleigh NC

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Raleigh, NC came ready to sing, dance and praise at the One Hallelujah Tour, a worship event celebrating some of gospel music’s greatest voices and a chance for everyone to come and witness One Sound | One Worship | One Hallelujah!

This highly anticipated concert features the amazing gospel music of Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Jonathan McReynolds, Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton, and Jekalyn Carr! Here’s how the wonderful idea came together:

Produced by Live Nation, the 25-city tour kicked off on March 6 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston making stops across the U.S. in New York, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, Houston, and more before wrapping up in San Francisco at YouTube Theater on April 21. I attended the concert on Wed Mar 13 — Raleigh, NC — Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts …and was blown away by the musical arrangements, the singing or as we say “sanging” , the community, the fellowship and overall powerful performances given by each artist.

Get Ready for One Hallelujah Tour 2024

TOUR DATES + TIX INFO

You don’t wanna miss when the ONE HALLELUJAH TOUR 2024 comes to a city near you, so here are the DATES:

Wed Mar 06 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Thu Mar 07 — Philadelphia, PA — The Met
Fri Mar 08 — Brooklyn, NY — Kings Theatre
Sat Mar 09 — Washington, D.C. — The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Tue Mar 12 — Charlotte, NC — Ovens Auditorium
Wed Mar 13 — Raleigh, NC — Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Fri Mar 15 — Miami, FL — James L. Knight Center
Sun Mar 17 — Jacksonville, FL — Moran Theater
Thu Mar 21 — Indianapolis, IN — Murat Theatre at Old National Center
Fri Mar 22 — St. Louis, MO — Stifel Theatre
Sat Mar 23 — Memphis, TN — Orpheum Theatre
Sun Mar 24 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Thu Mar 28 — Evans, GA — Columbia County Performing Arts Center
Fri Mar 29 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy
Sat Mar 30 — Birmingham, AL — BJCC Concert Hall
Thu Apr 04 — Chicago, IL — Chicago Auditorium Theatre
Fri Apr 05 — Detroit, MI — Fisher Theatre
Sat Apr 06 — Columbus, OH — Mershon Auditorium
Sun Apr 07 — Nashville, TN — Opry House
Tue Apr 09 — New Orleans, LA — Saenger Theatre
Wed Apr 10 — Houston, TX — Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Thu Apr 11 — Dallas, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Fri Apr 19 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
Sat Apr 20 — Los Angeles, CA — YouTube Theater
Sun Apr 21 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic

🎟️ Buy Tickets via Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/one-hallelujah-tickets/artist/3089932

THE ARTISTS

Hailed as the Top Gospel Artist of the Decade by Billboard, Tasha Cobbs Leonard has built her career on larger-than-life performances and powerhouse vocals that will get everyone dancing on their feet. On her new album, HYMNS, Leonard goes bigger and bolder than ever before, reimagining classic hymns of love and grace with a series of sweeping, ambitious arrangements that draw on everything from worship and gospel to country, pop, and R&B.

Jonathan McReynolds has maintained an incredible voice and a beautifully honest approach to songwriting. He made his way from dorm room performances to Christian music’s biggest stages.

Erica Campbell is an American Gospel singer, songwriter, talk show host, and First Lady. Specializing in the urban contemporary gospel , Christian R&B, and contemporary R&B genres, she started her music career in 1998 with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as part of the group Mary Mary.

Israel Houghton is a GRAMMY award-winning American Christian music recording artist, songwriter, producer, composer, worship leader, and multi-instrumentalist who formed Israel & New Breed, a music group and ministry organization that has produced gold-selling albums. ***I first saw him live with Kirk Franklin on The Reunion Tour (In case you missed it, check out my review of that concert >>>>>here.)

THE MUSIC

It’s really hard to pick one favorite gospel song or moment from the One Hallelujah Tour because everyone did such an amazing job! However, I’m sure you’ll leave the concert happy to have heard your favorite songs and excited to discover some new ones. Get ready for the overflow of music that’s not only good for the soul but from the soul and from the source. This music will grow your faith and are truly love songs for the Lord.

Listen >One Hallelujah Tour Spotify Setlist

RECAP

👀WATCH YouTube Video here:

One Hallelujah Tour | RECAP by SobeSavvy.com @SobeSavvy

REVIEW | @Godsmack #VibezTour Rocks Durham, NC @DPAC @LiveNationNCSC

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If you enjoy live music that rocks and rolls, thrills and sends chills to your soul, then you must experience Godsmack • Vibez Tour, an intimate evening of acoustic/electric performances + untold stories from Godsmack with special guest Bastian da Cruz!

On Friday, March 08, 2024, fans came to see the band perform at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), located in Durham, NC for a memorable, magical and miraculous night of music. For almost 30 years, Godsmack has an amazing way of connecting with fans on what they are going through in life and how we all can have our spirits lifted up with their songs. This is a very unique concert experience unlike I’ve experienced from the moment you step in the venue, the “Vibez” were set:

How Godsmack sets the mood on Vibez Tour

In continued support of their latest studio album Lighting Up The Sky, multi-platinum Grammy-nominated hard rock band GODSMACK is transforming their thunderous pyro-filled amphitheater rock show into a more intimate experience. The band is set to deliver a series of intimate evenings featuring acoustic/electric performances and untold stories in theatres across North America.

With over 20 years of chart-topping success, GODSMACK have cemented themselves as 21st-century hard rock titans. To date, they’ve accomplished a staggering 11 #1 singles at mainstream rock radio and have achieved 20 Top 10 hits at the format (the most of any act since February 1999). Additionally, they’ve enjoyed four Grammy nominations and were named Billboard Music Award’s Rock Artist of the Year in 2001. Selling over 20 million records worldwide, the band has released eight studio albums; Godsmack (1998), Awake (2000), Faceless(2003), IV (2006), The Oracle (2010), 1000hp(2014), When Legends Rise (2018), and Lighting Up the Sky (2023).

GODSMACK is Sully Erna (vocals, guitar), Tony Rombola (guitar), Robbie Merrill (bass), and Shannon Larkin (drums). Sully Erna’s voice is as fantastic as ever and leaves an impact on the souls of the audience. Equally, Shannon, Tony and Robbie pour their hearts into their performances creating powerful music!

Here’s the setlist (and playlist of their hits!

1. Time

2. Love-Hate-Sex-Pain

3. Voodoo

4. Turning to Stone

5. Spiral

6. One Rainy Day

7. No Quarter

8. Nothing Else Matters

9. Serenity

10. Touché

11. Truth

12. Growing Old

13. Lighting Up the Sky

14. Under Your Scars

15. Bulletproof

16. Long Train Runnin’

SobeSavvy.com Recap Highlights #VibezTour

Columbia, SC you’re up next on March 10th! Get ready for an exciting night of live music from Godsmack. Get Tickets from LiveNation >>For more Tour Info, visit Godsmack.com >> Donate to scarsfoundation.org to support those who suffer from depression, PTSD , mental illness,etc

Check out some of my favorite moments from the concert and of you were there I’d love to hear what you thought of the show (or your fave Godsmack song) in the comments below! ⬇️

REVIEW – 🔟 Things We Experienced at #TheReunionTour w/ @KirkFranklin @TyeTribbett @DavidandTamela Mann#TheClarkSisters and #IsraelHoughton @pncarena #RaleighNC @livenation

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Tuesdays and church usually do not go together. Unless of course you joined me and thousands of others at the PNC Arena to enjoy The Reunion Tour. This contemporary Gospel tour includes superstars Kirk Franklin, David and Tamela Mann ,The Clark Sisters, Tye Tribbett and Israel Houghton.

This nationwide tour gave the audience a chance to laugh, cry, smile, shout, praise, worship and fellowship while enjoying the talented lineup, While each artists had their own sets, I really enjoyed it when they all shared the stage together to form the most magical choir ever!

I have been a fan of just about all of these praise warriors for decades. I remember growing up singing along with The Clark Sisters on Sunday mornings while I helped clean the house. Kirk Franklin always had a way with mixing the old school with the new school and making the message universal for all. Tye Tribbett ‘s energy filled the arena and beyond! He truly is a gospel rockstar, We all were in awe of Israel Houghton’s musicality and how he is able to skillfully play guitar and sing so beautifully. David and Tamela Mann came to entertain us and show how their powerful voices are just a part of their power couple formula!

Gospel music just fills the soul and spirit with a unique joy. As the king of contemporary gospel for over 2 decades, Kirk Franklin has an ability to collaborate and lead a group as well as perform on his own . This concert definitely showcases his incredible artistry as well as everyone who graced the stage. At this reunion, we celebrated all the artists, the music, and ourselves while giving glory and gratitude for our lives. No matter who you are, your age, gender, race or stage in life, there are songs that will be sung and remembered at this concert that will touch your heart and lift your spirit!

Be prepared to be up on your feet, clapping, singing, waving and even shedding some tears while enjoying an incredible show filled with so many hits. Don’t worry about not knowing the words because they have set this up in sort of a gospel karaoke with lyrics in a gigantic screen so that we can sing along (and finally get the words right—lol!) Live Nation did it again by bringing such artists together for an unforgettable night.

Please check out the link >> https://www.livenation.com/artist/K8vZ9171foV/kirk-franklin-events to see if the tour is coming to a city near you soon!

Now that you read my review, watch this recap of 🔟 Things We Experienced at #TheReunionTour! I had such a great time and would definitely recommend you check the concert out in a city near you. Here in North Carolina, CHARLOTTE is up next at the Spectrum Center in for Oct 12, 2023. Hope you go and enjoy the show ‼️

Diana Krall Thrills All @DPAC | Concert Review

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Grammy and Juno award winning jazz star Diana Krall performed at the DPAC last night during her North American Tour. Jazz lovers around the world have been enthralled with her unique delivery of jazz standards and original songs since the late 90’s.

Due to COVID, this is her first tour in almost 3 years. She performed to an almost sold out crowd as a quartet. Many singers these days need all sorts of bells and whistles so her stripped down set reinforced the fact that she is a jazz singer of the highest caliber. Her catalog of songs is so deep there was no way she could sing all of her hits. What she chose was more than satisfying. See Setlist here Diana Krall Average Setlists of year: 2022 | setlist.fm

She mentioned more than once how ecstatic she was to be back on stage and able to perform in front of audiences again. Every band member got a chance to highlight their instrument command to roaring audience approval!

TOUR INFORMATION

Diana Krall is more than a smoky voice and accomplished pianist. She is a force, a vibe and a mood. Below are the next couple of tour dates before she picks it up again on a European leg next spring.

10/16 TANGER CENTER GREENSBORO, NC

10/17 PEACE CENTER Greenvile, SC

As always, the DPAC is one of the best venues ever for seating and acoustics. It was a true pleasure to see a world class artist at a world class venue. To see who is coming to the DPAC next, check out their website at http://www.DPACNC.com

RECAP| Art of Cool Festival 2019 @AOCFest Ft. Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, Big Daddy Kane, RUN-DMC and more! #AOCFest

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Art of Cool Festival 2019 | Recap by SobeSavvy.com

Art of Cool Festival 2019 | Recap by SobeSavvy.com

Durham, NC was the place to be this past weekend (Friday, September 27-Sunday, September 29) for the 6th Annual Art Of Cool Festival also known as the AOCFest! This festival, which features great music, good food trucks,community engagement and sponsor activations, has quickly become the premiere late summer cultural experience that should not be missed!

PLAN YOUR STAY

Since SobeSavvy.com was there to provide local media coverage for the weekend, I decided to make it a workcation and checked into one of the official hotels of the AOCFest. The Aloft Durham Downtown proved to be an excellent choice with its urban style and comfort amenities PLUS it is the closest hotel to the festival’s main venue, Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Guests attending the festival were provided a special group rate if booked in advance. I definitely would plan ahead to stay here next year or anytime you want to Stay & Play in Durham!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B27LTcWn-oO/?igshid=turue3rlqx73

2019 LINEUP

Produced by The Dome Group LLC, AOCFest 2019 featured 20+ R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, Jazz, alternative and spoken word artists at multiple venues in Durham.

FRIDAY

The Masonic Lodge is where various DJ parties were being held all weekend in one of their event rooms. DJ RNB was spinning and there was also a bar sponsored by Durham’s own Bedlam Vodka, who I had the pleasure of reviewing and sharing recipes >> here on my blog!

Later that evening, “Cooligans” were seen at the 2019 AOCFest Urban Vendor Market being held on Blackwell Street. Food Trucks along with a variety of vendors lined the closed down area. We had a few delicious shrimp tacos from @shrimptrucknc to fuel us up for the headliners at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park stadium next door.

We also did a little shopping at the 2019 AOCFest Urban Vendor Market and I purchased some organic Shea Butter products from Nailah’s Shea. I also ate chicken and waffles from Big C’s Waffles food truck. We also spotted “Thelma” from Good Times, Bernadette Stanis who had her books for sale and was taking pics with fans!

We arrived in time to see the group Black Violin were on the stage. A duo from Florida, this group takes classical violin training and combine it with a hip-hop twist.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B272CFWHcSW/?igshid=1hg7apvp2u5s5

Next up was artist Ari Lennox. She is the first female signed to J.Cole’s record label. Fans got to hear and see her perform hits from her successful album entitled “Shea Butter Baby”. Her creative singing style and bold lyrics energized the crowd. Her future is limitless and as bright as her smile!

Up next was the the incomparable Miss Jill Scott. She has been an entire industry upon herself over the past almost 20 years. Album upon album of iconic poetry tinged R&B songs captured the attention of an entire generation. Her catalog is deep and she did not disappoint. Her stage presence is simply unmatched. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand. We sang the songs with her and just showered her with love and affection for all her music means to us. Great night to kick
off the festival.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B3DlpUVnDKt/?igshid=1x3mddvoqahze
SATURDAY
A stay at the Aloft Downtown Durham allowed for me to wake up to an awesome view of Diamond View Park at the American Tobacco Campus where Power Yoga, a free community engagement event hosted by The Art Of Cool Festival, was held at 10am & 11am on Saturday. Such a great way to start the day!

DJ Fatz took us back with a “2Pac vs Biggie” during a day party at Masonic Lodge. He did an awesome job blendiing two titans of rap by mixing their hits back to back. Every lyric to every hit record was sung by the festive crowd. Realizing how we lost both so young was sobering but celebrating their music was inspiring.

https://youtu.be/oO966ZzVbZY
We headed back to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park stadium for a night full of legendary hip-hop featuring
Big Daddy Kane, Whodini and RUN- DMC. Before they took the stage DJ
Skillz showed some amazing work on the 1’s and 2’s. He played everything from old school hip to new school R&B. This man truly is in a league of his own in the DJ world.

Big Daddy Kane feat. The Symphony took the stage looking and sounding amazing! Back like he never left, he
performed as if he has not lost a step. His rapping skills go from fast to slow and he rocked the mic no matter the tempo. He was joined on stage by his Bboy dancer, his little son showed of his moves too, and the legendary Cool G Rap was there for an epic performance of The Symphony. If you ever get a chance to see Big Daddy Kane live you will see there Ain’t No Half Steppin EVER with him!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2-kFNQnAJ6/?igshid=cs8y664hxoo5

Next up was the group Whodini, who blazed the stage performing hit after hit such as “Big Mouth”, “One Love”, “The Freaks Come Out At Night” and “Friends”. Lead rapper Jalil did come out in his signature Zorro style hat and the ladies went wild!

By the time RUN-DMC took the stage, the electricity of anticipation was in the air. Rap was still in it’s infancy during the mid 80’s and RUN-DMC almost single handidly was responsible for rap crossing over to
mainstream America. Every successful rapper owe them a debt of gratitude. Time stood still during their set. It was as if they transported all of us back to the 80’s. Their catalog of hit records is immense. They only performed a sampling of them with “King Of Rock”, “It’s Tricky”, “Peter Piper”, “Run’s House” and many more! The crowd showed their love by coming dressed in Adidas, or rocking RUN DMC tees. Even AOCFest was selling “RUN AOC” tshirts to honor the group and he festival. RUN DMC are true icons that are rightly revered as some of the founders of Hip-Hop.

The festival ended on Sunday with a VIP Brunch featuring The Hamiltones that took place at the Durham Convention Center.

If I had one word to describe the Art Of Cool Festival 2019 it would be DOPE! Amazing weekend and phenomonal performances. The AOCFest once again proved that with the right mix of artists and audience, you can expect a dope cultural experience. 👀 Watch my full recap video for more fun highlights

For more information on the 2019 Art of Cool Festival (AOCFest), visit aocfestival.com.

Twitter: @AOCFest #AOCFest

Instagram: @AOCFest #AOCFest

Facebook: Facebook.com/AOCFest

Spotify: AOCFest Playlists

********Read previous AOCFest recap coverage >>>here

Did you attend AOCFest this year? If YES, who did you enjoy most? If NO, which artist would you have been most excited to see?

Concert Review |7 Fave Moments That Happened at #TheMillenniumTour #PNCArena #RaleighNC

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The Year 2000 was memorable for 2 reasons. Unfounded Y2K fears and awesome music. If indeed 1999 was going to be the end, it was going to end on a high musical note. R&B music had alot of fresh new artists who topped the charts over and over again. These artists have now joined forces for The Millennium Tour! All of my favorites from back in the day were on stage at the PNC Arena here in Raleigh,NC on Friday, 3/29/19.

B2K, Mario, Lloyd, The Ying Yang Twins, Pretty Ricky, Bobby Valentine and Chingy owned the music charts during that time. So many of us was excited to see them all and relive some good music memories. The arena was packed and the energy was on 10! Overall, I thought the concert was incredible and here are 7 Fave Moments That Happened At The Millennium Tour:

1. Doing The “Chickenhead” Dance When Chingy Performed ‘Right Thurr’


Chingy got the party started as the first act that hit the stage at The Millennium Tour. In addition to performing his classic hits like ‘One Call Away’, ‘Balla Baby’ and ‘Holidae Inn’, fans in the audience got a special visual treat when they showed thw videos from back in the day that go with the songs. What really got the crowd hyped was his hit “Right Thurr”. Raise your 🙋🏽‍♀️ if you used to do the ‘chickenhead’ dance!

2. Seeing The Romantic Side Of Bobby V

Bobby V or you may remember him as Bobby Valentino came ready to sing and remind us all to “Slow Down” and enjoy some good R&B music. You could tell he is still very passionate about performing and his voice, songwriting and piano skills is missed. The ladies got a special treat at the end of his set with a romantic gesture of roses given to some of the women in the audience. Awww 🌹🌹 so sweet of you Bobby V!

3. Singing A Duet Of ‘You’ With Lloyd From My Seat

Hi, my name is Leslie and I ❤ Lloyd.  Recently I watched him on the TV show “Unsung” and learned even more about this artist, so I was hyped to see him perform live! He made his appearance to the stage from the audience which made for a nice entrance! He not only sang his hits like  “Southside”, “Get It Shawty” but he also played the guitar while singing his latest song “Caramel”. But my favorite song to sing along with him as a duet (in my head) is “You”. So when that jam came on, me and everyone else was happy to sing right along with him.

4. Getting Crunk With The Ying Yang Twins

The Ying Yang Twins brought some energy (and laughter) to the stage. You can just tell they were ready to move the crowd and have a good time. Nobody was scared to “shake it like a salt shaker” and everybody kept the party going from “the windows to the wall”! The Ying Yang Twins surprised us with the remix version of “Right Thurr” and brought Chingy back out to the stage. They showed up and showed out and reminded us Ying Yang in this thang!

5. Seeing The Freaky Side Of Pretty Ricky

Warning! Parental Discretion should be advised when Pretty Ricky hits the stage. Fellas get ready to take notes and Ladies make sure you have something cold to drink for this part of the concert because things are about to get hoooootttttt🔥!  When Pretty Ricky and their dancers came on stage and performed “Grind With Me” you knew this part of the show was for the Grown and Freaky and I loved every bit of it! Took me back to when I lived in Miami, Fl from 1996-2015 and every club, radio station would play “Your Body”, “On the Hotline” and of course “Grind On Me”.

*******SobeSavvy Tip: Pretty Ricky Fans can have the opportunity to enjoy a VIP Meet & Greet in select cities during the tour. Here are the dates:

6. Witnessing the Evolution of Mario

Like Mario, I was born and raised in Baltimore, so I am always routing for the hometeam! Moving to Miami at the age of 23 did not make me forget where I came from but just gave me two places to love. To hear Mario perform and see his career evolve from singer to being in the live production remake of “Rent” and his current acting role on the popular tv show, “Empire”  is a proud Baltimorean moment for me!
His sharp stage presence, and precise dance moves, along with his amazing dance moves gave his show a polished feel. He obviously hits the gym very often and it showed when he “lost” his shirt to the delight of all the women in attendance. When he sang his biggest hit “Let Me Love You”, so many of us women screamed to take him up on his offer to be more than “Just A Friend”.

7. The Reunion of B2K

What we all had been waiting for but never thought we would see….the reunion of all of the original B2K members! For a 3 year stretch, this popular boy band group was hot on the charts, they filmed a movie and won lots of awards. Their music videos, style and dance moves had millions of people on their journey to a successful and long career. After 15 years, Raz-B, (Lil)Fizz, (J)Boog, and Omarion came back to “Bump,Bump,Bump” like they never left!

Fans got served at The Millennium Tour with amazing vocals, and choreography from B2K as well as solo performance from Omarion, who had a string of hits like “Touch”, “Ice Box” and “Supposed to Be” as a solo artist.  I was not familiar with the song “Distance” by Omarion and have now added that tune to my Afro/ Tribal beats playlist. Nothing like going to a live concert and discovering new music to enjoy. If you haven’t heard it..get into it y’all! And definitely get your tickets to see history remade with the reunion of B2K!
*******SobeSavvy Tip: Fans can get a chance to enjoy #B2KVIPExperience during The Millennium Tour! Check it out>>> here!

*******👀 WATCH my YouTube Video >>here
and check out #TheMillenniumTour hashtag to see more favorite moments from the concert!

Have you seen the tour or do you plan to go in your city? Let me know in the comments below what was your favorite moment of the concert or favorite memory of any of these performers and their music when you were growing up!

*******For more tour information, visit www.gsquaredevents.com

Event Recap | The Art of Cool Festival 2018 – 5th Yr Anniversary @aocfest #AOCFEST | by SobeSavvy.com

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The Art of Cool Festival 2018 has come to a close, but we here at SobeSavvy.com was fortunate to attend and share with you some of the magical moments from #AOCFEST. There has been so much growth since we attended the Art of Cool Fest in 2015, and I am so glad to be apart of highlighting this amazing festival. This past weekend, we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of this great music festival that brings jazz-inspired music, artists and all the Cooligans together in Downtown Durham, NC. Trust me, you don’t want to miss next year!

This year the AOCFEST experience was expanded to include Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop and Soul performances by renowned artists from around the world! 20+ artists, 6 venues, 1 price to enjoy: Live Music Concerts, shop from local vendors at the Urban Street Market, dance, mingle and network at the various Day Parties, savor Durham cuisine from the featured Food Trucks and quench your thirst at the Beergarden. The AOCFEST 2018 truly had something for everyone. It’s an amazing sensory experience you must see, taste, hear, and feel!

DAY 1- SEPT 28

The fun began on Friday with the arrival of music lovers to Downtown Durham. Festival goers could shop for some official merch at Wristband City, grab a cocktail, and listen to live music at various pop ups and attend free Innovate Your Cool seminars / workshops focused on Innovation, Music and Culture. I caught at DJ set on the rooftop at Unscripted Hotel where The Lux Blog held a meet-up mixer to welcome everyone including bloggers/social media influencers to the Art of Cool festival. It was a vibe!

Downtown Durham is a walkable city and the perfect place to host the AOCFEST because all the venues are conveniently within walking distance to each other. Just a couple of blocks over from Unscripted, I was able to catch MeShell N’degeocello at the Carolina Theater. She is a talented singer and musician who reminded us in the audience that although the lighting was not ideal, MUSIC. IS. SOMETHING. YOU. FEEL. She took us down memory lane by singing her funky smooth renditions of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam “I Wonder If I Take You Home”, Al B. Sure “Night & Day” and TLC ‘s “Waterfalls” along with her classic song “Grace” from her album Bitter.

Maxwell headlined at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which is new on this list as an official AOCFEST stage. Everyone who was either seated in the stadium watching his concert from the jumbo screen or on the field could see his moves and feel his groove! There were so many favorite songs by the incomparable male singer that turned into a sing-a-long, such as “Pretty Wings”, “Bad Habits” and “Fortunate”.

Watch Video Highlights of Photo Recap from Day 1 As Seen on the Scene by SobeSavvy.com! ⤵️

Day 2 – SEPT 29

Downtown Durham was the place to be for the second and last day of music and festivities. Even if you were not going to the concerts, there were so many ways to support the community and enjoy the amazingly cool city of Durham. A 90’s style vintage pop up party hosted by The Key to Style was my first stop before heading to the heart of the Bull City. CCB Plaza, near the iconic bull statue, is where emerging artists performed cyphers and Hip Hop radio station K97.5 held a block party showcasing local talent.

From there, I took a short walk to Pinhook, an iconic live music venue in Durham perfectly sized for intimate performances. Durham’s own Zoo Cru were up first. This quartet of musicians jammed out to their own unique sounds that is really beyond description. Not electronica and not R&B but a subtle blend of both. I love to support local, so I enjoyed my first listen from this popular band.

Next up at Pinhook was renowned trumpeter Keyon Harrold. He has done music and horns for A listers such as Beyonce and JayZ over the years. In addition, Mr. Harrold did the music for the hollywood movie “Miles”, so his resume is unmatched. Wynton Marsalis has called him “The Future of the Trumpet”. He did not dissapoint. His breath control and range were simply amazing. He was paired with a female vocalist which added a different angle to his horn. Unique and dynamic music is just one of the many things you will always experience at AOCFEST.

What’s a festival without the opportunity to shop from a variety of vendors? The Urban Market, set up on Blackwell Street, was the answer for those of us who like to shop local. Vendors were on hand selling quality products such as clothing, artwork, accessories and natural body care products, like my favorite Nailah Shea. Enthusiastic and stylish crowds took advantage of the warm, sunny afternoon in the Bull City. It was fun for the whole family!

My AOCFEST experience ended with seeing the one and only Erykah Badu, who is the first female to headline the Art of Cool Festival. Nas had just rocked the mic and said goodnight as i was entering the stadium. Before Ms.Badu came to the stage at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the crowd heard from the new President and VP of The Art of Cool Festival, Sulaiman and Lesleigh Mausi, Founders of The DOME Group, LLC. They thanked the sponsors and all the fans for a fabulous Art of Cool Festival weekend.

Ms. Badu came to the stage with her big hat, her big hair to match her big voice and asked..”Brothers, how y’all feel? Sistahs, y’all alrite” ? She really needed no introduction because her energy fills up any atmosphere. Erykah Badu almost single handidly created the genre called “Neo Soul”. Her music, style and delivery of colorful lyrics has made her one of the most unique talents of our time! Fans filled up Durham Bulls Athletic Park and joined together to celebrate her greatness which like her song, goes “On and On”.

Watch Video Highlights of Photo Recap from Day 2 As Seen on the Scene by SobeSavvy.com! ⤵️

Electric ending to another exciting and informative Art Of Cool Festival. The AOCFEST is one of the best music festivals that gets better every year. Be sure to check out aocfestival.com • #AOCFEST and make plans to visit Durham, NC to experience the Art of Cool Festival next year! Congratulations again to Art of Cool Festival for 5 years strong!

Concert Recap |@KidzBop Live Rocks Raleigh @RedHatAmp @LiveNationNCSC

11 Comments

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to review this show and share our experience with you. The opinions are 100 percent my own!

Music has always been oxygen to me. It is apparent I have passed this trait on to my soon to be 7 yr old daughter!
She sings, she dances and she gets lost in the beats just like me. While I love this aspect, I am always concerned with some of the more “adult” lyrical content of today’s pop hits. A few years ago I found a great solution to this modern problem. It is called KIDZ BOP. Some of my child free followers may not know what that is. No worries, I am here to help!

KIDZ BOP is a musical group that takes all the current top 40 hits and remixes some of the lyrical content within the songs to make it more kid-friendly. They use very similar music and most of the lyrics are the same.The most important difference is any cursing and sexual innuendo are replaced seamlessly with more kid appropriate lyrics. Young talent with amazing vocals do the cover songs. They also come up with dance moves to go with the dance tunes that will sure to get any kiddie party started! So when I learned that this group was touring and stopping in Raleigh,NC at Red Hat Amphitheatre, I wanted to surprise my soon to be birthday girl with her very first concert experience! It actually was our first mother and daughter concert date and we had so much fun!

KIDZ BOP has been Billboard Magazine’s #1 Kids’ Artist for eight consecutive years (2010 – 2017).
What works so well is the fact that each song they produce could stand on it’s own as an original. Most of our Friday Family Fun Nights at home consist of my daughter and I having our own dance or lip sync battle to any of the songs from the latest Kidz Bop Album. My husband will even play it in the car to just jam out during road trips. Parents, kids, girls and even boys enjoy rocking out to KIDZ BOP which is why the Kidz Bop Live 2018 Summer Tour is a must see!

The concert was 90 mins long with a 15 min intermission and featured 20 hit songs. Our favorite moments were dancing along to the Kidz Bop Shuffle, singing along to Havana, and other latin hits like Despacito / Mi Gente. We also liked all the Bruno Mars songs: Uptown Funk/ That’s What I Like/ Finesse / 24K Magic and the 90’s Dance Off featuring adults from the audience was EPIC! They showed us their best dance moves to Whoomp There It is / Jump / Poison / U Can’t Touch This and we the audience got to choose the winner by giving the loudest applause.

WATCH MY FUN VIDEO RECAP OF THE SHOW ⤵️

I had alot of Friday Night fun with my little one at #KidzBopLive 2018 at Red Hat Amphitheater in Downtown Raleigh. Those KIDZ BOP kids are so talented and put on an amazing show! Catch some of their singing [and our dancing] via my @sobesavvy u instatories and be sure to check out LiveNation.com to see what other concerts are coming to the the Triangle!