Live Review
I had the chance to catch the October Nights: Calling All Lovers tour when it stopped in Greensboro on April 26, 2025, at the stunning Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, one of my favorite venues in all of North Carolina. The lineup of Joe Leone, Ro James, Tamar Braxton, and October London brought a perfect mix of smooth soul, powerhouse vocals, and vintage R&B flair. The tour, promoted by the Black Promoters Collective, has been making its way around the country and is set to end at the end of May.
The night began with singer Joe Leone, the talented artist from Los Angeles. He was an amazing opener for the show, engaging the crowd through vocals and his piano.
The next artist was Ro James. Ro James, known for hits like “Permission” and his newest track, “Platonic,” came out onto the stage confident and full of emotion. The crowd sang along immediately as Ro James moved around the stage wearing a suit and baseball cap.
Tamar Braxton came out next and immediately took over the spotlight. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her Calling All Lovers album, she performed her hits with emotional intensity that grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. Tamar cracked a few salacious jokes about the headliner October London, and the crowd enjoyed the interactions, reminiscent of Tamar’s days as a talk show host. She had a unique setup, with his two background singers on either side of her and a few fans sitting at tables placed on stage. The fans were winners of a raffle that Braxton hosted. She ended her set with a fan-led rendition of her classic song “Love and War.” When Tamar took over the song at the end, her powerful vocals immediately gave me goosebumps. She was funny, vulnerable, and commanding all at once, reminding everyone why she’s one of the most compelling voices in R&B.
Then came October London, closing the night in full-on throwback style. Dressed sharp and channeling the energy of Marvin Gaye, he brought a rich, nostalgic soul sound that still felt completely fresh. His vocals were buttery smooth, and his connection to the crowd was magnetic. Accompanied by three amazing background singers, October donned a cigar and a glass of his own alcoholic beverage as he paraded around the stage. One of my favorite parts of his set was when he allowed his band to have their own moments, with the two guitar players and the drummer each performing solos. Classic songs like “Mulholland Drive” were fantastic live. October’s voice is so effortlessly classic, it’s like he pulled us into a different era while keeping us rooted in the now.
Check out more photos from the show below. For tickets, check out https://blackpromoterscollective.com/octobernights/ and also check out the Black Promoters Collective’s Instagram @blackpromoterscollective for more highlights from the tour.
Photo Gallery
