The chance to see two of the top R&B groups of the ’90s — hitmakers SWV and Xscape — share the stage together proved to be a huge draw, pulling in a capacity crowd of some 13,000 fans to opening night of the Queens of R&B Tour on Thursday (June 27) to the Toyota Pavilion in Concord.
And the show turned out to be as great, and maybe even better, than fans could have hoped for, as the two trios mixed and matched songs — and, most wonderfully, shared vocals — during the course of a thoroughly entertaining co-headlining set that touched on (at least parts of) some 30 songs.
Fans who are planning to catch this tour — also featuring fellow ’90s R&B favorites Mya, 702 and Total — as it continues through other parts of the country, before winding to a close at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, should expect to witness nothing less than one of the best shows of the year.
That’s because, only one night into the run, this SWV-Xscape package is shaping up to be the roadshow to beat in 2024.
One could feel the energy of the occasion well before they got to the Pavilion, as cars inched along Kirker Pass Road as the passengers prepped for the show with shared laughter, smiles and singing. Even though the traffic was horrendous, causing the Pavilion to use its overflow parking and shuttle service, people still seemed to be in a great mood (even though, in many cases, it caused them to miss some/many of the acts who were lower on the bill).
Once inside, SWV and Xscape would make dealing with the traffic and parking issues feel very much worthwhile as they two acts combined for a performance that felt so different — and so much more vibrant — then what we often get with co-headlining treks.
Instead of the usual approach of the top two artists simply putting their own sets — and perhaps rotating who gets to close the show each night — these two iconic R&B trios completely sewed their sets together and constantly volleyed the spotlight between them.
Xscape would appear for a few minutes, running through such favorites as “Feels So Good,” “Can’t Hang” and “Keep On, Keepin’ On.” Then SWV — consisting of Tamara “Taj” George, Cheryl “Coko” Gamble and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons — would pop up and croon through the likes of “I’m So Into You” and “Right Here.”
Of course, this kind of a show doesn’t work — at all — if the groups don’t work well onstage together. Fortunately, SWV and Xscape’s music flows together like a masterful ’90s mixtape and, just as importantly, the two teams seem to like each other and enjoy combining forces.
It’s the latter that may surprise viewers of the 2023’s “SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B,” a reality TV mini-series on the Bravo channel that focused on the two acts as they prepped to hit the road together. The two sides had a massive falling out during the show — fueled by the regular celebrity trappings of ego and trash talk — which seemed to make it clear that SWV and Xscape probably wouldn’t be sending each Christmas cards anytime soon, let alone touring together.
Yet, the two sides later got together and talked things out, clearing the air as well as the runaway to hitting the road with the Queens of R&B Tour in 2024.
The result is that fans can now witness a show that has so much going for it — from a two-level stage that offers up plenty of zippy video elements to an energetic dance team to a steady supply of cool wardrobe changes.
Yet, none of that comes is nearly as important as the amazing vocal work that you get to hear during the course of the set. All six of stars sound great, nicely conveying the same type of emotion and conviction that fans first enjoyed way back on their debut albums (Xscape’s “Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha” in 1993, SWV’s “It’s About Time” in 1992).
They sounded terrific in their own individual spotlights, as Xscape relived such triumphs as “Who Can I Run To” and “My Little Secret” and SWV brought back the likes of “Right Here” and “You’re Always on My Mind.”
Yet, the moments that really stood out occurred when they two vocal crews took the stage together, with six voices joining together to lift up 13,000 fans by delivering such glorious harmonies on the the Clark sisters powerful gospel number “You Brought the Sunshine”, the gorgeous Xscape ballad “The Arms of the One Who Loves You” and the fun show closer cover of Lil’ Kim’s “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix).”
Setlist:
1. “Can We” (SWV song)
2. “Feels So Good” (Xscape song)
3. “Can’t Hang” (Xscape song)
4. “Keep On, Keepin’ On” (Xscape song)
5. “I’m So Into You” (SWV song)
6. “Right Here” (SWV song)
7. “Love on My Mind” (Xscape song)
8 “What’s Up” (Xscape song)
9. “Don’t Think I’m Not” (Xscape song)
10. “You’re the One” (SWV song)
11. “You’re Always on My Mind” (SWV song)
12. “Use Your Heart” (SWV song)
13. “My Little Secret” (Xscape song)
14. “Hold On” (Xscape song)
15. “The Arms of the One Who Loves You” (Xscape song)
16. “Is My Living in Vain” (Xscape song, Clark Sisters)
17. “You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)”
18. “It’s About Time” (SWV song)
19. “Downtown” (SWV song)
20. “Softest Place on Earth” (Xscape song)
21. “Do You Want To” (Xscape song)
22. “If Only You Knew” (SWV song)
23. “Tonight” (Xscape song)
24. “Rain” (SWV song)
25. “Who Can I Run To” (Xscape song)
26. “Weak” (SWV song)
27. “Anything” (SWV song)
28. “Understanding” (Xscape song)
29. “Just Kicking It” (Xscape song)
30. “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)”
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