Photo Credit: Spotify
level by launching a new music festival, RNB X Live, coming to Dallas on November 1.
Spotify and Live Nation have announced RNB X Live, a new one-day music festival coming to Dallas, Texas, on November 1. Taking over The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, the inaugural event will celebrate the breadth of contemporary R&B, bringing together established stars and emerging artists defining the genre’s next chapter. RNB X Live in Dallas marks Spotify’s first-ever standalone R&B concert event and the biggest expression to date of the streaming platform’s R&B editorial playlist, RNB X.
“R&B has always been a genre built on community, and a big part of our philosophy has been creating opportunities for artists to get closer to our fans who care about them most,” said Brandon Payano, R&B Lead, Artist Partnerships at Spotify.
“Our partnership with Live Nation Urban has continued to grow around that shared belief, from our RNB X Live: The UK Sound shows last fall to their broader efforts to bring more R&B artists and fans together. RNB X Live in Dallas feels like an exciting and obvious next step, bringing artists and fans together for the kind of moments that show just how powerful R&B can be when experienced live.”
The lineup brings generations of the genre together in Dallas, which is home to a massive R&B fanbase. Erykah Badu returns home fresh off her first project in 11 years, while H.E.R. makes a rare return to the stage after several years away from headlining her own shows. Rising artists kwn, DESTIN CONRAD, and Jai’len Josey represent the next generation of R&B talent Spotify has supported through its programs such as Artists to Watch and Fresh Finds. Fellow Dallas native and Fresh Finds favorite, rjtheweirdo, opens the night, bookending the festival with hometown talent.
RNB X Live Dallas creates a dedicated space where R&B fans can connect with the icons who defined the genre and the new voices shaping its future. The event builds on previous Spotify RNB X live experiences, like RNB X After Hours in Washington, D.C., and RNB X Live: The UK Sound in New York and San Francisco.
“From First Nights to RNB X Live, we’ve been intentional about taking the work we do through RNB X on Spotify and extending it beyond the platform, creating real-life spaces for R&B artists and their fans to connect,” said Alaysia Sierra, Spotify’s Head of Editorial, R&B.
“R&B’s influence spans genres and generations, shaping culture in ways that can’t be defined by one sound or one type of artist. We wanted this festival to reflect that expansiveness, from an icon like Erykah Badu to a defining voice like H.E.R. to rising stars like kwn and Jai’len. R&B has given so much to music and culture—it’s only right that we continue to invest in its potential, giving the artists of its past, present, and future the platform, resources, and space to keep pushing R&B forward.”
Select performances at RNB X Live will be captured for exclusive release on Spotify through Spotify Live, giving fans around the world a chance to experience moments from the festival.
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