Immersing in the Queens of R&B Tour at Raleigh’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek on July 20th was a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The writer’s last-minute day plan, altered by her older sister, turned into a nostalgic journey through 1990s and 2000s R&B artists, a rare and exciting opportunity for any music enthusiast.
The concert’s co-headliners, Xscape and SWV, along with the guest lineups of OMG Girlz, 702, Mya, and Total, brought electrifying energy to the stage. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, singing and dancing along with the talented performers. Cameras were out in full force, capturing every memorable moment of R&B Queens. Despite the downpour, the crowd’s spirits remained high, a testament to the unstoppable talent on stage.
Xscape onstage performing at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park; Photo Credit: Tracey Morrison/The Exclusive Press
The concert brought back nostalgic memories of 90sand 2000s fashion and culture, including hairstyles, favorite TV shows, movies, music, and popular dances. The writer is confident that other concertgoers too were reminiscing about this remarkable flashback period, whether it was the kids in the hallway singing along to Mya during junior year in high school, hanging up Word Up posters of 702 on your locker or bedroom wall, slow jamming to SWV’s Rain at a college party, outdoor gatherings in the neighborhood jamming to Total’s Can’t You See, or sitting back on your couch watching a big screen box-sized TV while watching Xscape’s “Who Can I Run To” on BET’s Video Soul.
The tour, which kicks off on June 27th in Concord, CA, was filled with joy and gratitude for the queens, their talented guests, and their incredible music. Tameka “Tiny” Cottle from Xscape formed the OMG Girlz, a group that ignited the crowd at the start of the concert. 702, Total, and Mya rounded out the lineup.
With their infectious tunes, 702 and Total captivated the crowd, and the audience joyfully joined in, getting hyped and singing along to their beloved hits. Total was indeed an incredible reminiscent of the Bad Boys’ days. During 702 remarkable performances they paid tribute to beloved member, Irish Grinstead, who sadly passed away in 2023.
L-R: SWV, Large crowd gathering of the Queens of R&B Tour, and Mya; Photo Credit: Tracey Morrison/The Exclusive Press
Mya’s entrance on stage took the crowd back to the nostalgic years of the late 90s and early 00s, with her old school videos playing in the background while she performed to the crowd. Mya proved that she still had it with her dance moves. She even ventures into the crowd, offering a glimpse of her hometown through a backstage video of Baltimore.
A mini-skit played on the screen before the co-headliners confidently walked onto the stage before disappearing back into the tunnel, building up the crowd’s anticipation. The performance had a captivating narrative, with one group singing a song or two before passing the spotlight to the other group. Xscape and SWV put on an unforgettable show that took the crowd on an adventure with a combination of music and skit-dancing performances. Tiny and Kandi from Xscape even brought their talented children onstage to sing along with them.
With dancing and skit-like performances, the concert was an excellent expression of gratitude and appreciation for good old music and art. The concert was filled with excitement as R&B hitmakers united in their love for music, which resonated with the audience.
The upcoming city lineups include Bridgeport, CT on August 2nd, Syracuse, New York, on August 3rd, Toronto, ON, on August 4th, and Buffalo, NY, on August 6th. The concert concludes in Los Angeles on August 18th. Readers can visit Live Nation’s website for more listings to experience this incredible concert in a city near you.
