Fans across the country are flocking to see R&B icons New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton, but Florida audiences have been largely left out of the loop, prompting frustration among music lovers and concert promoters alike.
The multi-city tours have delivered sold-out performances in major markets including Atlanta, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Yet Florida has seen few stops, with Jacksonville notably absent from most venues. In a surprise announcement they just added two Florida dates.
The trio of performers have been dubbed as the best tour to date of artists in a long time and the hype begins at the very starts and continues for 2.5 constant hours.
On a stage that fans could be seated completely around it, providing a 360 degree view, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe, Michael Bivins, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant, and Bobby Brown rose in a single line from below. The six members of New Edition drawing roars and screams from the crowd immediately start into song. Moments later, the trio of Boyz II Men are elevated from beneath the stage. They opened with “Water Runs Dry” on a center part of the stage that was more like a bridge connecting the main stage where New Edition was, to an area that extended into the crowd. It was in this last section that the songstress Toni Braxton emerged, also rising from below, setting the tone in stunning fashion delivering a sultry performance of “Get So High”. Throughout the evening, fans are treated to a variety of group and solo sets from the artists where you never know who will be backing up who or what comes next.
The show draws to a close with final performances. Boyz II Men returned and offered a heartfelt tribute before performing “One Sweet Day,” honoring those lost.. They closed their set with the enduring anthem “End of the Road,” one of their most recognized songs.”
Johnny Gill returned to stage to perform “Rub You the Right Way,” joined by his New Edition bandmates, Bell Biv DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant, and Bobby Brown, all dressed in white pants and black blazers. Brown then stepped forward for “Every Little Step” and “My Perogative,” keeping the crowd on its feet, dancing and singing.
Finally, Bell Biv DeVoe launched into “Poison,” bringing New Edition and Boyz II Men together onstage for a joyous, high energy finale. As the last notes rang out, it was clear the night wasn’t just a concert, it was a living tribute to decades of R&B excellence.
New Edition has visited the city several times but this one was one of the best according to fans.
Concertgoers say the state’s sprawling geography and lack of centrally booked arenas for high-profile R&B acts make securing stops a challenge.
“Everywhere else in the country, tickets are gone in minutes,” said local fan Monique Harris, 42. “But here in Jacksonville, we barely even get the announcements. It’s disappointing when these legends skip our city.”
Industry insiders point to several factors: Venue size and availability: Jacksonville’s largest arenas often have scheduling conflicts or don’t meet the capacity requirements top-tier acts prefer.; Market dynamics: Promoters say that touring routes are often designed around major metropolitan hubs with larger population bases, like Miami and Orlando, leaving smaller markets underserved and cost concerns – booking high-profile artists comes with steep guarantees and Jacksonville is known as a last minute, walk up market.
“Jacksonville is a strong music town, but it doesn’t have the concentrated corporate sponsorship or arena footprint of some bigger markets,” said concert promoter Derek Mason. “That can make it harder to land these A-list acts.”
Last month, the divas tour canceled a Jacksonville date featuring legendary vocalists Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Chaka Kahn and Gladys Knight.
For R&B enthusiasts, the lack of concerts in Northeast Florida feels like a missed opportunity to connect with the music that shaped generations. Many fans travel out of state to see their favorite artists, a trend that benefits neighboring states’ economies while leaving Jacksonville behind.
“I drove five hours just to see Boyz II Men in Atlanta,” said Jason Thompson, 35. “It shouldn’t have to be that way. Jacksonville deserves these shows too.”
Local officials and venue managers say they are actively courting major acts to perform in Jacksonville and hope the trend will change as the city’s live music infrastructure expands.
Meanwhile, fans continue to watch national tour schedules with hope that Jacksonville, will finally get its turn to host some of the most legendary voices in R&B. Fans that feel like making the drive can catch the tour May 1st in Tampa, FL- Benchmark International Arena and May 3rd in Sunrise, FL at Amerant Bank Arena.