A Soulful Night in Minneapolis With Ella Mai
Minneapolis welcomed British R&B star Ella Mai to the Amory on Monday night on her Do You Still Love Me? tour, celebrating the release of her latest album. Known for her breakout 2018 hit "Boo'd Up," Ella has built a career on blending contemporary R&B with timeless soul influences, creating a beautiful sound that feels fresh and nostalgic. Even for concertgoers unfamiliar with much of her catalog, including myself, the evening proved to be a pleasant surprise.
The night began with performances from two artists who complemented the headliner's style perfectly. First up was Mississippi native Girlfriend, an emerging artist whose set mixed soulful pop melodies with electronic textures. Her energetic presence and catchy songs quickly warmed up the crowd while establishing the evening's smooth R&B atmosphere.
Following Girlfriend was fellow British singer Ama, whose mellow and understated performance offered a different kind of charm. With a soft, inviting stage presence and soothing vocals, Ama drew the audience in and provided a seamless transition into the night's main event.
When it was finally time for Ella Mai to take the stage, she made such a cool-girl entrance. A huge curtain dropped, revealing her reclining on a chaise lounge, a direct nod to the cover art for her newest album. The theatrical opening set the tone for a performance centered around the new record. She launched into "There Goes My Heart," the album's opening track, with confidence and effortless vocals.
Throughout the evening, Ella balanced showcasing new material and revisiting fan favorites from earlier in her career perfectly. Songs from Do You Still Love Me? highlighted her growth as an artist, while throwback tracks such as "Naked" and "Trip" got some of the loudest crowd reactions of the night. I got the vibe after these songs that many audience members had been with her since the beginning, singing along word-for-word.
One of the standout aspects for me was Ella’s vocals. Her voice sounded just as powerful and polished live as it does on the record. Another element that I was surprised by and that really elevated the show was two backup singers. While backing vocalists are common in stadium-sized tours, they're less frequent in smaller to medium-sized shows, but wow, did their presence add depth and richness to the songs.
Going into the night with little to no familiarity with Ella Mai's music, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. By the end of the show, however, I found myself understanding her hype. Between her exceptional vocals, strong supporting acts, and a setlist that blended new material with beloved classics, Ella delivered a memorable night of soulful R&B that proved exactly why she continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
