It felt like L.A. was about to explode into an R&B party when Chris Brown’s 11:11 tour hit the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, August 6. As the second-to-last stop on the tour, anticipation filled the air over what Chris Brown might have up his sleeves. For the last two months, social media has been filled with hype-worthy and viral moments from the tour, whether it's the iconic meet-and-greet photos or some of the stunts he pulled on stage.
From the moment fans gathered inside the area, the energy was high. Breakthrough R&B artists Maeta and Muni Long warmed the crowd up as the opening acts. Following their performance, Chris Brown emerged and delivered a set that satisfied his fans, both old and new. With a setlist consisting of over 40 songs over two hours, Chris Brown certainly delivered on all fronts. He leaped into the classic hits that turned him into a star, as well as recent songs that we've had on consistent rotation.
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Chris Brown Made A Grand Entrance
Around the 9 p.m. mark of the night, the lights dimmed and the atmosphere reached a fever pitch when the LED screen behind the stage began its countdown. As the final seconds ticked away, the arena was plunged into darkness. Then, a single, dramatic beam of light illuminated Chris Brown on a raised platform. As the platform descended, he opened with "Angel Numbers / Ten Toes." Fire and sparks erupted around the stage, and cheers roared throughout the stadium. The audience was clearly captivated from the get-go and all eyes were on Chris to see what was next.
The Four Elements
The concert was thoughtfully segmented into four thematic acts: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Each element was specifically crafted to highlight different aspects and songs of Brown’s catalog. This created a cohesive visual experience that left fans guessing which songs would appear in each act. The screen behind the stage projected stunning and immersive visuals that complemented the theme.
The first act, "Fire," ignited the night with high-energy tracks and fiery visuals. With the crowd—mostly women—screaming their hearts out and backup dancers giving it their all, the energy could quite literally be described as explosive. During this set, he performed songs such as "Heat," "Party," "New Flame," "Ayo," "Summer Too Hot," and more.
He Performed On A Floating Platform
As the concert transitioned into the "Water" act, the energy shifted to something more fluid and moody. The visuals consisted of underwater scenes that contrasted with the fiery visuals of the previous act. He leaned into the more sultry records in his catalog during the "Water" act, including “Liquor," "Privacy," "Wrist," "Wet The Bed," "Take You Down," and "Under The Influence.” During this part of the evening, he was suspended mid-air on a floating platform.
Chris and his dancers delivered tight choreography on the circular platform, impressing the audience with his highly sensual moves. In between these acts, DJ Fresh kept the crowd energized with a mix of party classics and some of Chris Brown’s deeper cuts, keeping the crowd moving from start to finish.
The Energy Was High All Night
Accompanying the third act, "Air," was atmospheric, ethereal visuals and records like "Press Me," "She Ain't You," "No Air," and "Don't Judge Me." This part of the show saw Breezy floating and dancing over the stage. Though the majority of the show saw the crowd dancing along to his infectious hits, this set offered the audience a chance to catch their breath before the finale.
Chris concluded with the "Earth" act, which grounded the night with a return to more of his upbeat tracks. For this section, where the visuals became more earth and organic, he reserved some of his biggest hits to date. Songs like "No Guidance," "Call Me Every Day," "Sensational," and "Loyal," lit the arena up before he concluded with "Grass Ain't Greener." For roughly two hours, Chris Brown worked like a machine, maintaining high energy levels without missing a single beat of choreography.
The final act succinctly captured the evolution of his career, paying homage to his roots and celebrating his longevity with recent hits. During the final moments on stage, he took a bow and brought his two daughters, Royalty and Lovely, on stage. The 11:11 tour’s LA stop was undoubtedly a testament to Brown's artistry, longevity, charisma, and sheer talent. For those fortunate enough to attend, it was a night to remember.
