What to know
- Chris Brown and Usher kicked off their two-night Toronto run at Rogers Stadium with a nearly sold-out crowd and a set packed with R&B and pop hits.
- From “Yeah!” and “Party” to “Wall to Wall” and “Deuces,” the show delivered a major nostalgia trip complete with live vocals, choreography and Brown’s signature aerial moments.
- The premium experience included access to the American Express Lounge, featuring a selection of food and drinks alongside premium seating in the Rogers North Lodge decks.
- The biggest tip for concertgoers? Plan your exit ahead of time, as crowds, cars and rideshare demand can make leaving Rogers Stadium a challenge.
Chris Brown and Usher just performed the first night of their R&B Tour at Rogers Stadium, and it was exactly what you’d expect: nostalgic, energetic and packed with hits.
The duo took to the stage Tuesday night for the first of two shows at Rogers Stadium, performing for a nearly sold-out crowd that seemed ready to sing and dance along to every song.
This was my fifth show at Rogers Stadium and the first time I was able to experience a concert from the venue’s premium seats in the Rogers North Lodge decks, and, to put it simply, it elevated the experience.
The bowl opened with a DJ set at 7 p.m., playing some of the best throwback pop and R&B tracks to get the crowd hyped. And yes, the crowd was certainly hyped. You rarely go to a concert where the pre-show DJ set feels like a concert of its own, but Tuesday’s show felt like a double bill. While I was more than ready for Brown and Usher to take the stage, saying goodbye to the DJ was honestly bittersweet.
Brown and Usher kicked off their portion of the show around 8:30 p.m., and, best believe, the crowd was on its feet, and stayed there for the rest of the show. Myself included.
They opened their set with hits including “Yeah!,” “Party,” “Poppin,” “Wall to Wall,” “Bad Girl” and “Deuces.”
For a moment, it really did feel like 2007 all over again. When Brown started performing “Wall to Wall,” I was literally dancing from wall to wall. Nothing else mattered in that moment.
Between the live vocals, synchronized choreography and, of course, Brown’s signature flights across the stadium suspended in the air, the show felt like a true stadium-level production. The duo proved exactly why they belonged in that space.
The premium experience
But as mentioned, this wasn’t just any concert experience. This was my first premium concert experience at Rogers Stadium.
With my premium seats, I also had access to the American Express Lounge, which offers bites and beverages as well as a full multi-course dining experience, with a menu designed by Liberty Oak View Entertainment (LOVE).
This year, LOVE and Rogers Stadium partnered to expand the food and beverage offerings, not just in the lounge but across the venue. That includes artist-inspired menu items, for example, when Bruno Mars was in town, a show I also attended, guests could grab the “Uptown Funky Fries.”
Inside the lounge, menu options included Miami-style short ribs, Korean dumplings and the highly anticipated matcha churro poutine. Although I wasn’t able to try everything on the menu at Rogers Stadium, I will say the venue does a great job at offering a wide variety of food options.
As a frequent concertgoer who has visited venues across the city, it genuinely felt like there was something for everyone, from Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and poutine to chicken tenders, Philly cheesesteak sliders and more.
So, last night’s show brought the food, energy and performances that feels like I had been waiting a lifetime to see.
One thing to know before you go
If you’re heading to night two of Toronto’s leg of The R&B Tour, or any concert at the stadium, my biggest tip is to plan your exit.
Leaving the stadium can feel like it takes a lifetime, with crowds and cars flooding the area at the same time. Transit is truly your best option. If you’re planning to take an Uber, be prepared for a potentially long wait, that was my one and only mistake from the show.
Besides that, the premium experience and the concert itself were a 10/10.
But It doesn’t really matter where you are in the venue or which section you sit in, both Brown and Usher put on the kind of show that leaves you with memories you won’t forget.
