Music
28 Apr 26

Live Report : Ne-Yo & Akon's club classics shake up the 3arena

Ne-Yo and Akon

Their impressive discographies blended together, powering a non-stop playlist that kept the arena on its feet all night.

This weekend Ne Yo and Akon kicked off their Nights Like This tour with three nights at the 3arena. The tour is a powerhouse collaboration, uniting two artists whose extensive catalogues made up 2000s club culture. The dynamic duo created a night bursting with energy all set to a hit filled playlist of classics.

The Nights Like This Tour was a rush of nostalgia with the arena being taken on a journey across three decades of their music, spanning from 2006, through 2016, and into 2026. The stage time, perfectly split between the two artists, felt like getting two concerts for the price of one. Both artists, perhaps slightly forgotten kings of contemporary R&B, together were nothing short of memorable.

NE-YO opened the show, appearing in a flared black suit and his signature black fedora. His initial set drew from his 2006 debut album, In My Own Words, with hits like ‘So Sick’ and ‘Sexy Love.’ Accompanied by a jazz trumpet trio, this part of the show exhibited a certain polished maturity and sleekness. He then transitioned to tracks from his 2010 album Libra Scale, including ‘One in a Million’ and the funk-infused ‘Champagne Life,’. Ne-Yo’s set was akin to an elite gentleman's club, complete with dancers in bikinis waltzing around poles and a memorable moment featuring a woman acting as a human chandelier.

NE-YO & AKON at 3Arena on April 23th, 2026. Copyright Cat Gundry-Beck/www.hotpress.com

Following NE-YO's set, AKON took the stage, opening with his hit ‘Akon’s Beautiful Day.’ Appearing in an all-white bedazzled outfit behind a montage of his music videos, Akon’s energy was infectious. While his performance was less polished than Ne-Yo, his enthusiasm and party spirit were undeniable. ‘Smack That’ followed, sparking a rowdy reaction from the audience. Akon also played earlier tracks like ‘Locked Up’ and ‘Ghetto,’ bringing it back to his roots which contrast with his more recent Afropop and dance music focus.

NE-YO & AKON at 3Arena on April 23th, 2026. Copyright Cat Gundry-Beck/www.hotpress.com

The two artists reunited on stage for a "song battle" segment, designed to showcase their impressive production credits. Hits they helped create, such as Akon’s ‘Hold My Hand’ sung with Michael Jackson, or Lady Gaga’s ‘Just Dance,’ and Ne-Yo’s ‘Irreplaceable’, sung by Beyoncé or ‘Pretty Girl Rock,’ were featured, culminating in their collaboration with David Guetta on ‘Play Hard.’ While the concept allowed for banter and quips, the segment felt slightly overly theatrical and at times awkward, resembling a poorly rehearsed play.

After a short break, NE-YO then reappeared, ready for the country fair, complete with a cowboy hat and tassels, announcing a new musical direction. He introduced his new country-leaning single, 'Up, Out & Gone'. The backup singer's impressive vocals were showcased as they brought out soul elements of this new music. While Akon's chaotic energy roused up the audience, Ne-Yo's more refined performance was much calmer and this slowed-down, country interlude felt somewhat out of place, breaking the flow of the night.

NE-YO & AKON at 3Arena on April 23th, 2026. Copyright Cat Gundry-Beck/www.hotpress.com

Akon later embodied the "play hard" spirit by throwing himself into the crowd inside what looked like a blow-up hamster ball, a brave and entertaining move that had fans passing him around. With fans attempting to throw Akon from one part of the stage to another, this possible security threat was a wild watch. After playing his song 'Lonely' he brought on stage a group of audience members who dance on stage with Akon. Then was projected a Pan-African flag while he played the conga, bringing the concert back to his Senegalese origins.

The night concluded with the pair reuniting for their final hit songs. Akon also seized the opportunity to announce the release date of his new album, Beautiful Day. This 15-track project marks Akon's return to music, blending Afrobeat's, pop, and R&B. This new album is his first since 2008. Despite their releases not yet comparing to the celebrated classics, NE-YO and AKON delivered a night of hit after hit. Their impressive discographies blended together, powering a non-stop playlist that kept the arena on its feet all night.