R&B (Rhythm and Blues), also referred to as Soul or Funk music, dates back over five decades. R&B bands typically consist of piano, one or more guitars, bass guitar, drums and saxophone players.
Rhythm and blues music has strong links with jazz and gospel traditions, owing much of its development to gospel influences that contributed substantially to rock and roll’s birth.
1. New Orleans Jazz Festival
The New Orleans Jazz Festival is an annual multi-day event that spans two weekends every April. Each lineup boasts artists of various musical genres – r&b included! This year’s lineup has been particularly impressive as it includes popular artists from multiple genres like The Revivalists, Better Than Ezra, Sam Price & the True Believers, Shemekia Copeland Samantha Fish Tab Benoit as well as local musicians and bands from New Orleans area.
This year’s festival is scheduled to run from April 28 to May 7, with the lineup announced on January 12th. Dead & Company are the headliners of the first weekend; Ed Sheeran leads on second. Lizzo, Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers also appear. Other acts include Jon Batiste, Jill Scott H.E.R Gary Clark Jr Leon Bridges. Other noteworthy performances are Wu-Tang Clan + Soul Rebels Ludacris Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue performances among others.
As well as offering an impressive musical lineup, the festival also hosts numerous educational and cultural events over its five days of operation. Some events may be free, while others require tickets; please see their official website for more information on their schedule of events.
The Louisiana Music & Arts Festival stands out by honoring all aspects of Louisiana culture – not just musical styles – rather, founder George Wein envisioned an educational festival where attendees could both have fun and learn something. As it is non-profit organization, proceeds are reinvested back into its community.
The festival aspires to “enriching lives in our local communities by celebrating jazz’s diverse heritage and universal appeal,” with this goal achieved through Jazz Fest as well as through New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation community partnerships grants that enable artists to focus on projects that reflect its mission; currently over $8 Million have been distributed by this fund!
2. Cincinnati Music Festival
The Cincinnati Music Festival has long been a favorite among R&B and soul fans for its diverse lineups and energetic performances. Since 1962 when it first began as the Cincinnati Jazz Festival, its popularity has only increased with artists like Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck becoming regular attendees. Although its name may have changed throughout its existence, one thing that remains constant has been its commitment to booking top talent that appeals to different generations of fans.
This year’s Cincinnati Music Festival takes place over three nights from July 20-22 and features Al Green, Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott and Babyface as its headliners. Additionally, Thursday night features Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and Rakim among others; Friday features Gerald Albright Midnight Star Jodeci and more; with Al Green Snoop Dogg Jill Scott and Babyface taking the stage as headliners at Bengals Paycor Stadium on Saturday as its final act.
Cincinnati Music Festival also hosts an outdoor museum of art by 15 artists of color that embodies community and unity, open 11 am to 4 pm daily and free to visit. Admission to this museum is guaranteed.
For those hoping to see specific artists or performers at the Cincinnati Music Festival, it is recommended to purchase tickets early so as not to miss your preferred performance time. Furthermore, make sure only purchasing official festival souvenir merchandise as bootleggers may attempt to sell inferior products on festival grounds.
Tickets for the Cincinnati Music Festival can be found both online and at select ticketing locations through Vivid Seats, an authorized secondary marketplace seller for this event. Prices may be higher or lower than face value depending on demand, while buyer protection and secure transactions help safeguard your financial data. Furthermore, tickets purchased with a VIP or hospitality package offer added perks at the venue such as access to exclusive VIP areas, pre-show entertainment and private restrooms – for more details visit its official website.
3. Afropunk
Since 2004, AFROPUNK has been held internationally, celebrating all aspects of Black culture and music without apology. This year’s Brooklyn edition will take place August 26 and 27 at Greenpoint Terminal Market; previously held at Fort Greene’s Commodore Barry Park. Under its theme “Circus of Soul,” organizers promise a Carnivalesque exhibition that showcases all facets of Black culture with headliners such as Jazmine Sullivan and producer Flying Lotus as headliners.
Our lineup features an eclectic selection of R&B and soul performers, each with their own distinct style to the stage. From time-stopping belted notes to invigorating peppy beats, R&B music has long been known for touching audiences and elevating spirits; its roots date back centuries with Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder becoming household names; alongside Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston; but today there is also an increasing variety of contemporary artists who evoke similar feelings in their music.
As part of its effort to highlight the diversity within Black communities, Afropunk Festival is adding new components to this year’s annual event: panels, workshops and talks on social justice and equality. Additionally, vendors and a marketplace provide attendees with handmade goods from clothing to jewelry for purchase at this festival.
One of the many highlights from Afropunk 2017 was New York singer Madison McFerrin’s powerful performance with her young daughter onstage to perform her song “Wildlings.” It was an engaging, captivating performance which highlighted alternative black music’s power.
Notable performances included Joey Bada$$’s silky set and Vince Staples’ laid-back cool. Vince’s understated style created an air of contemplative calm that contrasted perfectly with Flying Lotus’ trippy maximalism. Afropunk also featured rappers Baby Tate and Durand Bernarr, violinist Amindi, hip-hop producers The Beatnuts and Sudan Archives.
Though keeping track of R&B and soul events across the country can be challenging, TicketSmarter makes it simple with our search functionality. Simply enter R&B music in our search bar to locate your ideal show! Get ready to sway to its rhythm!
4. Supa Dupa Fly x Santorini
Emily Rawson, a UK DJ and promoter renowned for hosting throwback Hiphop & RNB club night Supa Dupa Fly, created Supa Dupa Fly x Santorini as a music festival to allow partygoers to soak up some sun in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Partygoers will experience exotic parties held on volcanic craters, rave parties in caves, VIP pool parties all filled with incredible Hiphop music from its lineup of some of the hottest artists of today!
EMILY RAWSON is one of the UK’s premier DJs & Promoters. Her club night, Supa Dupa Fly is undeniably one of the premier throwback Hiphop & RnB nights around while Rock The Belles’ all female brand pushes gender boundaries through music by championing female DJ talent. Emily has DJed for global brands from Chanel to Nike as well as hosting and playing for celebrities including Kanye West & Rita Ora – regularly playing festival such as Camp Bestival Lovebox & Wireless each year!
Since 2011, Supa Dupa Fly has quickly become an essential event in many hiphop, RnB & Garage fans’ schedules – drawing packed crowds to each weekly event! Supa Dupa Fly has hosted shows for artists such as Jazzy Jeff, Rita Ora, EZ Disclosure, Lady Leshurr Kojey Radical Stylo G with surprise performances by Amerie & Professor Green! Supa Dupa Fly has also earned top press mentions from Time Out (who even called it London’s best RnB Night!), Guardian Metro to name just a few!
Supa Dupa Fly x Santorini spans four days and nights across various venues on Santorini island, with the main hub being Thira/Katerados where all events occur. Tickets provide entrance to both day and night pool parties as well as Theros Wave Bar’s volcano party, plus 12-hour beach parties along with coach bus pick up services from different hotels nearby.