Calling All Lovers: Tamar Braxton And October London Bring The Heat To The ATL

R&B is alive and thriving—and the mics are on.

R&B sensations October London and Tamar Braxton hit the stage in Atlanta on May 15, as part of their Calling All Lovers Tour with special guest Ro James. The singers performed for a sold-out audience at the Cobb Energy Centre. Sponsored by the Black Promoters Collective, the concert treated fans to a night filled with powerhouse vocals, romance, nostalgia, and a touch of comedy.

Ro James was the first to grace the stage, showcasing his signature style in a grey satin short set and a black hat. He had the ladies swooning in their seats as he performed some of his cult classic tunes like “Burn Slow.” The crooner rounded out his set, which lasted about 30 minutes, with his Grammy-nominated hit “Permission.”

Next, Tamar Braxton took the stage, looking ethereal in a metallic gold corseted mini dress and waist-length jet black tresses. Braxton opened with “Angels & Demons,” a song from the Calling All Lovers album, as she celebrated its 10th anniversary. Tamar engaged the audience with her quick-witted commentary and signature lip-popping, reminding everyone why she became the breakout star when she appeared on WE TV’s Braxton Family Values with her four sisters.

The songstress paid tribute to her sister Traci, who died in 2022 of esophageal cancer. Tamar left the stage as a photo of Traci appeared on a marquee, with the late singer’s single “Last Call” playing.

The “Let Me Know” singer reemerged wearing a black thong leotard, sparking an uproar from the audience.

“I’m single,“ she quipped, causing the audience to erupt into laughter.

There were approximately a dozen “Tamaritans” joining the singer on stage. The Tamar superfans won a raffle, and the prize was the opportunity to sit at tables on each side of the stage for an up-close and personal experience. Braxton passed the mic to some of her onstage guests as she closed her set with the chart-topping song “Love and War.” Most of the Tamaritans belted out unapologetically off-key, yet hilarious renditions of the music.

Wearing a tailored grey suit and dark shades, October London opened his hour-long set with a soul-stirring rendition of “Slander My Name” that would lead one to believe Marvin Gaye was behind the microphone. The singer displayed impressive vocal range, transitioning effortlessly from a D’Angelo-like falsetto to deep tenor tones reminiscent of Barry White.

James’ background singers were the icing on the cake. The three-woman group, called The Shindellas, wore identical long black dresses as they showcased their imperial harmonies while executing precise, choreographed steps. As James took a breather, the Shindellas performed a mini-medley, including a cover of Zhane’s “Hey Mr. DJ.” Meanwhile, James sat at a makeshift bar on the side of the stage, smoking a cigar and taking sips of his October London premium whiskey.

The night’s surprise was when London brought his friend, Tyrese, to the stage. The R&B legend was all smiles as the audience serenaded him with his song “Sweet Lady.” The actor initially shied away from the microphone, but when the audience pleaded for a taste of his velvety smooth voice, he eventually obliged. Tyrese belted a snippet of his ballad “What I’m Gonna Do.”

October London closed the night with an energetic performance that mixed modern sounds with an old-school flair and left the audience begging for more.

The Calling All Lovers Tour runs through June 1. Visit the Black Promoters website for information and tickets.