The Love Hard Tour graced Cleveland with an energetic early 2000s R&B-filled night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The lineup included Soul Goddess K Michelle, Grammy-nominated Jaheim, “Mr. Steal Your Girl” himself, Trey Songz, and “The Princess of Hip-Hop Soul” Keyshia Cole. Unfortunately, this reviewer missed those two incredible opening acts, but based on crowd chatter, everyone seemed to enjoy them!
Fans waiting to see the show surrounded every corner of the arena. The DJ was on stage, getting the crowd hyped up between each set, with the ladies in the crowd singing every word and dancing to the songs he played. It’s safe to say that the vibes were giving.
Then you hear “Cleveland, Are you Ready?” for Mr. “Panty Dropper” himself, Trey Songz.
Trey Songz walked out on stage wearing a matching tan cargo jacket, pants, and sunglasses with his hair braided straight back. He paused at center stage and said, “Cleveland, what’s up?” The crowd went berserk with overbearing screams. He sang “NaNa,” “Slow Motion,” “Heart Attack,”“Say Aah,” “Panty Droppa,” and more. Throughout his performance his vocals did not disappoint. It felt odd that he was up there alone while others had backup dancers to keep it visually interesting. However, he used the stage screen to show clips from different music videos. Trey Songz closed out with his most hype song, “Bottoms Up,” almost obligatorily. As the song was winding down, Trey ripped off his shirt, lassoing around his head, asking, “Who wants it?” ladies went crazy as expected and walked off stage as the band ended.
As Trey Songz exited the stage and the DJ began spinning again, it was hard not to notice the time. It was already 10:45 p.m., and the stage had just begun the process of changing for Keyisha Cole’s set. For those who are unaware, if a concert is not over by 11:30, then the promoter or artist must pay a pretty hefty fine to the venue/City.
At 11:00, the fog began filling the stage, and pictures began appearing on the screen; the DJ said, “Give it up for Keyshia Cole,” and she walked out in a tan Carhartt two-piece – mini skirt and jacket, a platinum KC chain, and black boots as she enters the stage. She started her set with a crowd favorite, “Let It Go,” from there, slowly running out of time, we were just given hit after hit. Coming to a close with everyone’s favorite “Love.”
Overall, it was a fun night of nostalgia and Soul. It’s always a humbling experience to see people you’ve admired for so long.
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