[Review] Coco Jones’ What I Didn’t Tell You Tour

Despite the bad weather, fans lined up outside the House of Blues in New Orleans for Coco Jones’ What I Didn’t Tell You Tour!

S!MONE

The night kicked off with S!MONE, who most attendees recognized as Lisa from the series, Bel-Air (in which Jones also stars). From covering Estelle’s “American Boy” to playing her track “Lucky” – which drops this Friday, she captivated the crowd with lively energy and melodic vocals. And although Jones experienced some audio difficulties, the crowd rooted her on as she finished her 30-minute set.

Ebony Riley

Next up was up-and-coming R&B singer, Ebony Riley. One thing was evident about the Detroit native, she is real and 100% herself. During her performance of “Save Me,” Riley got emotional as she sang about losing family, shady friendships, watching her sister get shot, and leaving a man who played her. But the singer quickly got ‘out of her feelings and back in her bag’ before performing the second single from her EP, ebony — “Deuce Deuce.” Like a true 90s baby, Riley covered SWV’s “Weak” and Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” (who Riley reminded me of style and energy-wise). The 33-year-old finished her set with “Open” from her EP.

Coco Jones

Coco Jones has had quite the year from earning her first Billboard entry for her single, “ICU” to being name Outstanding New Artist at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. And after multiple chants of her name throughout the night, the woman of the hour took the stage. The stage set-up included a planet hanging above her with the word “COCO” shining on it. Throughout her set, the Tennesse native, along with two dancers, transported fans into her world and a real-life depiction of her debut EP, What I Didn’t Tell You.

“New Orleans is one of my favorite places…always eating good here,” Jones shared with the sold-out crowd. The 25-year-old actor-singer was recently in The Big Easy back in July for ESSENCE Festival at the Caesar’s Superdome. In less than two months, she returned for a sold-out show on her first headlining tour!

Her setlist included every song from her EP, including the bonus tracks from the deluxe edition like “Plan B” and “Simple” which features Babyface. But one of my favorite parts of her set continues to be her mash-ups. She took a moment to shout out fellow TN native, Justin Timberlake, who recently jumped on the “ICU” Remix. She covered his and Beyoncé’s 2006 hit, “The End of Time.” She also covered SWV’s “Rain,” which is sampled in her song “Double Back.”

And despite winning Best New Artist this year at the BET Awards, Jones is not new on the scene. The rising R&B star played the lead role of Roxie in the 2012 Disney Channel original movie, Let It Shine. But she has proved she is a long way from the child star she once was and it’s great seeing Jones get the recognition she deserves. “Y’all have been riding for me since I was a little kid and I never take that for granted,” Jones wholeheartedly shared with the crowd. One thing is for certain, Coco Jones loves her fans. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face all night as the crowd sang back to her throughout her set. And during “Fallin” she brought one lucky fan on stage whom she met earlier during VIP.

Consider this your sign to see Coco Jones live next time she is in New Orleans or whatever city you live in! Jones is a triple threat and you’re in for a night of smooth vocals, crisp choreography, unmatchable vibes, and just real R&B music!