Ella Mai
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
July 18th, 2026
Photos and Review by Austin Taitingfong
Mississippi-born rising R&B/soul artist Kenya Edwards, better known as girlfriend, opened the evening with a confident set that immediately captured the attention of the growing Bill Graham crowd. Blending silky vocals with effortless charisma, she showcased her artistry through standout originals like “Deep,” “Sticky Situation,” and “Emergency.” A heartfelt rendition of Tamia’s “So Into You / Can’t Explain It” highlighted both her vocal range and appreciation for classic R&B, earning one of the warmest reactions of her set. Equal parts polished and personable, girlfriend proved to be a fitting opener, setting an upbeat yet soulful tone for the night ahead.
London-born singer-songwriter Ama seamlessly carried that momentum forward, slowing the pace just enough to draw the audience further into the evening’s R&B atmosphere. Her smooth, expressive vocals shined on songs like “Holding Back,” “Trust Nobody,” and “Ride or Die,” while “Northside” showcased her ability to balance vulnerability with quiet confidence. Ama’s understated stage presence allowed the music to speak for itself, creating an intimate connection with the audience that perfectly bridged the energy between girlfriend’s opening set and Ella Mai’s headline performance. By the time she closed with “Aura,” the crowd was fully immersed and ready for the main event.
There are artists who command an arena through spectacle, and then there are artists like Ella Mai, who do it by making thousands of people feel as though they’re the only person in the room. At San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on July 18, the British R&B singer delivered a performance that leaned into intimacy over extravagance, letting her unmistakable voice and deeply personal songwriting take center stage.
Opening with “There Goes My Heart,” Ella Mai immediately established the night’s warm, vulnerable atmosphere. Early highlights like “100,” “My Mind,” and “Hearts On Deck” showcased the effortless blend of contemporary R&B and ‘90s soul that has become her signature, while “Shot Clock” provided one of the evening’s first bursts of energy as fans enthusiastically sang along.
The emotional heart of the show came with “DFMU,” “10,000 Hours,” and “Naked,” where Mai’s smooth vocals and understated delivery reminded the audience why her songs resonate so deeply. Rather than relying on elaborate production, she trusted the strength of her catalog, allowing each performance to breathe while maintaining an intimate connection with the crowd.
The final stretch was the evening’s strongest. “Chasing Circles” and “No Angels” built the anticipation before the unmistakable opening of “Boo’d Up.” Bill Graham transformed into a choir, with nearly every voice in the venue singing along from the first chorus to the last. If “Boo’d Up” was the celebration, “Trip” was the emotional release—its hypnotic groove and heartfelt delivery proving it remains one of the defining R&B songs of the past decade. Closing with “Little Things” brought the night to a fitting end, leaving the audience with the same warmth and sincerity that have defined Ella Mai’s music from the very beginning.
In an era where arena concerts often compete to be the biggest spectacle, Ella Mai proved that exceptional songwriting and genuine emotion are more than enough. Her San Francisco performance was a reminder that authenticity remains her greatest strength, and that sometimes the most memorable shows are the ones that simply let the music speak for itself.
Girlfriend
Ama
Ella Mai
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