Music, News, Review

Ne-Yo @ AO Arena gallery – 2000s R&B evening with Ne-Yo and Mario

2 177

Featured image and gallery: Gracie Hall


Photographer Gracie Hall captures Grammy-nominated artist Mario as he takes to the AO Arena’s stage to open for R&B legend Ne-Yo on his ‘Champagne and Roses’ Tour. 

R&B singer Mario opens up the evening, dripping in diamond-studded chains and an Alexander McQueen bomber.

He treated the crowd to hit singles ‘Let Me Love You’ and ‘How Do I Breathe’, as well as his latest single ‘Main One’, featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga.

Mario is set to release his sixth studio album, accompanied by a headline tour, this year.

Ne-Yo opens in a red suit and matching hat, accompanied by a full band and contingent of backing dancers. He smoothly serenades with slick choreography and velvety vocals.

His latest Champagne & Roses tour celebrates his veteran status as an R&B superstar, spanning over two decades. Back in November, Ne-Yo added extra shows to his tour owing to the unprecedented demand seeing the original dates sell out. 

The “new classics” portion of his set includes chart-toppers ‘Sexy Love’, ‘Closer’, and ‘So Sick’. The show also included hits off his most recent record, 2022’s Self Explanatory, including ‘You Got the Body’, ‘U 2 Luv’ and ‘Don’t Love Me’. 

Ne-Yo has been keeping busy – this latest tour comes off the back of him competing on the US Masked Singer, winning as season as ‘Cow’. He also released an EP in December, a festive album titled Another Kind of Christmas Reimagined. 

No Ne-Yo show is complete without collaborative mega-hits with Calvin Harris (‘Let’s Go) and David Guetta (‘Time of our Lives’). The show closes with global smash ‘Give me Everything’.

About the author / 

Gracie Hall

2 Comments

  1. Fin 25th March 2024 at 10:07 pm -  Reply

    Sooo good!!

  2. Fin 25th March 2024 at 10:07 pm -  Reply

    Sooo good!!

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • New Year’s Eve in Manchester: Where is Hot to Go?

    Featured image: WendyWei.pexels With the most anticipated night of the year right around the corner, the big question is looming: where are you going to celebrate it? Whether you dread it or count down the days, are new to the Manchester nightlife scene or are a regular, we’ve got your New Year’s Eve plans sorted….

  • Fashion predictions for 2025

    By Georgia Robinson Featured image and gallery: Ruby Sharp Get one step ahead of your 2025 aesthetic and plan your outfits for the new year with this guide to all the trends we expect to see next year. Why not jazz up your wardrobe with trending accessories or browse Depop and Vinted for a pre-loved…

  • Warehouse Project Presents: The Prodigy @ Depot Mayfield review – a night of war cries and warrior dances from rave electronica pioneers

    Featured image and gallery: Kaitlyn Brockley The rumble of trains passing through Piccadilly station, the hollers of touts (“tickets, buy or sell?”) and security (“have your IDs ready”), and the excitable chatter of gig-goers all audibly backdrop the outskirts of Manchester’s Mayfield Depot this dark, damp evening.  Leaving the outside chill and travelling along the…

  • The QuietManDave Prize crowns 2024 winners

    Featured image and gallery: Leo Woollison Crook Angela Cheveau and Kate Carne were crowned winners of the 2024 QuietManDave Prize on Friday. The short-form writing prize is held biennially to honour the memory of the much-loved and well-known Manchester writer and critic Dave Murray, who passed away in 2019. The writers were each awarded £1000…