Concert Review: Musiq Soulchild at The Grove of Anaheim
If you miss the vibe of nostalgic R&B, with real instruments, soulful vocals, and honest emotion, then Friday night, May 29, 2026, at the City National Grove of Anaheim was the place to be. The R&B veteran Musiq Soulchild, (born Taalib Johnson) took the stage and completely transported the Southern California crowd straight back to the golden era of early 2000s neo-soul.
Right out of the gate, the vibe was just pure nostalgia. It felt like everyone in the room collectively stepped back in time.
The Event Vibe: Musiq Soulchild Brings That Smooth 2000s R&B Atmosphere
Seeing Musiq Soulchild live in 2026 is a masterclass in staying true to your roots. Taalib Johnson has always been a pioneer of the neo-soul movement alongside icons like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, and he proved exactly why his catalog has aged so gracefully.
The City National Grove of Anaheim had the ultimate date night atmosphere with dim lighting, smooth rhythms, and plenty of couples swaying in the crowd. But you didn’t need a partner to enjoy the music. The sense of community in the room was incredible. To my left, there was a couple who had recently moved out here to Southern California all the way from Philadelphia, Musiq’s hometown. They were singing along to every track at the top of their lungs, completely happy to be experiencing a piece of home on the West Coast. Meanwhile, to my right, a granddaughter was sharing the night with her grandmother, and watching them experience the music together was just incredibly cute.
There were also quite a few Gen Z concertgoers scattered throughout the venue, which really proved how far this catalog reaches. Moments like that showed how this music connects generations. Everyone was just locking into the vibe together, laughing, and enjoying the nostalgia as if we were all hanging out back in the early aughts.
Powerful Vocals and Classic Hits at The Grove
Musiq’s vocal control continues to impress.Backed by an incredibly tight band and background singers who brought powerful energy to the stage, he delivered the smooth, melodic tracks and vocal runs that defined a generation. Hearing tracks from iconic albums like Aijuswanaseing and Juslisen performed live in an intimate venue like The Grove of Anaheim reminded everyone in attendance of the timeless power of real instrumentation over computerized tracks.
If Musiq Soulchild ever returns to Southern California, do yourself a favor and secure a ticket. For everyone who packed the City National Grove of Anaheim, this nostalgia-fueled dive into the 2000s delivered exactly what the soul needed.
Photos captured on mobile; not shot with professional equipment.
