The British R&B star showered an endearing audience with lover girl anthems under midwestern moonlight
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 18: Ella Mai performs at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on July 18, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Dana Jacobs/Getty Images)
Dana Jacobs/Getty Images
A brisk evening set the perfect tone for Ella Mai to bare her soul on stage. On Sunday (Aug. 23), a warm, sunny day transitioned into a dark and rainy night as an overflow of R&B listeners made their way to KEMBA Live! for their turn to witness the Grammy winner’s Do You Still Love Me? Tour in Columbus, Ohio.
Throwback R&B could be heard faintly in the background as cliques of twenty- and thirty-somethings flocked to staged photo ops in their sporty-chic ensembles anchored in mustard yellow, stripes, and camo, straight from Ella Mai’s mood board. Couples in their finest date-night threads wove through food, drink, and merch lines hand in hand to find prime stage views. In the back, friend groups toasted with the “Boo’d Up” mule while the sun set and clouds appeared over the outdoor event space.
Girlfriend and Ama (formerly Ama Lou) opened the show, respectively, with each rising act gaining new fans impressed by their songs about love, life, and everything in between. Still, a sudden downpour eclipsed the show’s start, with many attendees scrambling for cover or abruptly changing into ponchos and hoodies. The rain set the mood before Ella Mai sang a note.
A brief intermission before the 31-year-old’s headlining performance provided the chance to reset and regroup. The startling shower did not clear the concert. In fact, several attendees agreed that singing in the rain is canon to classic R&B, building anticipation as the British chart-topper took center stage and “Ella Mai” chants erupted in pockets across the downtown venue.
From intimate moments to full-on sing-alongs, the night showcased talented women who transmute feelings into art and reminded everyone why Ella Mai’s music continues to resonate.
Ella Mai performing.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
Girlfriend Kicks Off The Night
Promptly at 8 p.m., singer-songwriter Girlfriend introduced herself to an enduring crowd. Calling for the “real R&B lovers,” she graced the stage in white jorts and heels accessorized with leg warmers. Engaged concertgoers swayed side to side to a live delivery of “Can’t Explain It,” a 2025 track by Jermain Reese Jr. and Girlfriend, which samples Tamia’s classic “So Into You.” Her set also included a fun performance of the fan-favorite track “OG.” The unforecasted weather began to trickle in, and in true R&B fashion, the emotions only got deeper.
Ama Brings Aura
As Ama took the stage, the rain subsided; however, the feelings stayed. The singer kept her cool through technical difficulties and captivated a drenched, shifty crowd, drawing them in with a warm smile and a euphonious delivery. Her charisma shined through as people danced to her slightly upbeat setlist, including “Holding Back” and “Ride Or Die,” the latter of which she performed for the first time. Under the bright lights, the London-born musician’s warm energy could be felt from the front of the stage to the ticketholders weathering the wet grass toward the back.
Ella Mai Commands The Crowd
Ella Mai stood proudly under vivid purple lighting, and the rush of the entire fandom sent the crowd to its feet. She kicked off her performance with “There Goes My Heart,” the first of many lover-girl anthems executed with ease. Graciously thanking ticketholders for their support, with a shoutout to the official start of Virgo season, the contemporary soul singer served up standout tracks across eras. She created a passionate atmosphere where every verse, bridge, and chorus landed with purpose. In unison with Ella Mai’s lush vocals, the audience joyfully belted the lyrics to “Hearts On Deck,” “Not Another Love Song,” “DFMU,” “Naked,” “Tell Her,” “Might Just,” and more anthems from the singer’s deep catalog. Saving her breakout classic “Boo’d Up” for the near end, she proved her timeless talent and undeniable star power.
