Toronto is home to a vibrant live music scene. From international festivals, such as Rolling Loud and Boiler Room, to major tours frequently stopping at Scotiabank Arena or the new Rogers Stadium, the city has no shortage of live entertainment. But despite all that, it’s surprising that neither Toronto, nor Canada as a whole, has ever hosted a festival dedicated entirely to R&B.
SomeKinda R&B set out to change that, and Day 1 showed they’ve made a strong case for why such a festival belongs here.
Canada’s first R&B festival took place at Montebello Park in St. Catharines. While the venue was a great setup and an accommodating size for the festival, the distance from Toronto—where most of the audience base lives—may have limited the turnout. Even so, the crowd that did show up was enough to bring the park alive. Opening the day was Brampton’s own Arianna Reid, a rising R&B artist who delivered an impressive start to the festival.
What followed was a lineup that showcased the breadth of R&B. Toronto’s beloved day party series, Somebody Anybody, came and fired the crowd up, thanks to their engaging hosts, MC Breez and MC Deems, while their DJ, Summerknocks, knew just what to play to get the crowd active. They highlighted just how joyful and danceable R&B music can be. The acts that followed—TheHonestGuy, Avenoir, and Aqyila—leaned more into R&B’s soulful side, each with a distinct style. TheHonestGuy had more retro roots in his music, while Avenoir and Aqyila pushed toward the alternative directions shaping R&B today. It was especially exciting to know that all three artists hailed from Ontario.
As night fell, the headliners took the stage. First up was Jacquees, an artist with whom I have a personal connection with. When I first discovered R&B music back in 2015–2016 through SoundCloud and dedicated R&B YouTube channels, Jacquees was one of the first artists I enjoyed listening to, so it made for a surreal experience to finally see him live.
Especially since he did not disappoint. Backed at times by a team of dancers, Jacquees delivered a well-structured set that highlighted his impressive catalogue and showcased his vocals – proving why his name deserves to be in conversations about the top male voices in R&B.
Closing the night was Muni Long, who delivered one of the most memorable performances of the day. Her vocals were rich and effortless, and the personal anecdotes she shared made her set feel intimate. She reflected on growing up just across the border in Niagara Falls, New York, and revealed this was her first headlining show—a surprising fact given how deserving she is of many more. A red theme showered her set, embodying the sensuality yet fieriness present in her music. She moved from a trench coat to a sleek fit, supported by 2 dancers who mirrored the intensity of her performance. At one point, she grew emotional reflecting on her career, having spent years writing for others before finally stepping into her own spotlight at the age of 36, headlining her first festival. It was powerful to witness her artistry in full bloom.
Despite a few technical hiccups and delays with soundchecks, the energy never faltered. Day 1 of SomeKinda R&B proved to be a promising start for Canada’s first R&B festival; a celebration that felt overdue but well worth the wait.
