SACRAMENTO — The East Bay’s Kehlani and New York’s Teyana Taylor topped the bill on another hot, muggy day at Sol Blume Festival at Discovery Park Sunday.

Oakland-native Kehlani kicked off with “Can I” as jungle beats filled the air and red lights pulsated from the main Blume Stage. She danced to the downtempo beat while singing and winding around her band—all women—while her voice came through amazingly clear, in perfect pitch and tempo.

Following slow jam “Open,” Kehlani continued with the midtempo “Water,” pointing her microphone to the audience to sing the dual-syllable hook. “Change Your Life” also became a singalong. She was chatty for the entire performance, asking the front row to let her know if she suffered any wardrobe malfunctions before beginning downtempo track “Hate The Club.”

“There’s a lot of bad bitches on stage,” she said of her band before they picked up the pace with “Wish I Never,” off 2022’s blue water road. DJ Noodles played hype-woman while Kehlani danced and sang. A slowed-down rendition of Usher’s “There Goes My Baby” was followed by hits like “Distraction,” “The Way,” “Serial Lover” and “Honey” to close out the sensual set that showcased Kehlani’s singing.

Teyana Taylor

New Yorker Teyana Taylor closed out the night on the Bless Stage, across the festival grounds. Though the performance was plagued with technical difficulties, the powerhouse singer pressed on.  Of course, Taylor, who’s also a choreographer and actor, also demonstrated her mastery of those skills during her dynamic performance. 

It began with a ’50s-set video of a woman escaping from someone, complete with a chase scene.  It cut to a shot of Taylor in zoot suit pants, suspenders, white collared shirt, long black gloves, a bright red wide-brimmed hat and shades, flanked by two similarly dressed dancers.

Performing next to a neon sign advertising “The Last Rose Motel,” Taylor started off with “No Manners,” a theatrical version of the interlude from 2018 album K.T.S.E. She launched into an energetic and athletic dance routine while singing “Bad,” from 2020’s The Album. After leaving the stage, Taylor appeared atop a platform in a yellow trench coat and slowed down the pace with “Shoot It Up” and “Bear With Me.”

After a snipper of “How Do You Want It,” Taylor transitioned into a steamy dance segment with her dancers on the racy “1-800-One-Night” and “Morning,” though there was no sign of her collaborator on the song—Kehlani. The segment ended with Taylor and her dancers dancing on a heart-shaped bed and in a ballroom vogue battle during “WTP,” off K.T.S.E.

After leaving the stage, Taylor reemerged alone in denim coveralls for “Wake Up Love,” during which the sound was out of sorts.

“A lotta people is in trouble after this show,” she said, before continuing on with “Lowkey,” accompanied only by a piano.

Chlöe

Chloe Bailey—half of duo Chlöe x Halle, with sister Halle Bailey—showcased some sexy and complicated moves during songs like “Worried” and “Cheatback.”

“This is my first performance since I broke my foot in June… and I’m wearing platforms,” Bailey announced. She and her dancers didn’t miss a step.

The performance included “Have Mercy,” with a choreography segment laden with twerking and snapping moves during a rap breakdown. Bailey moved on to a sassy “Told Ya.” She then spoke about infidelity, which led to a saucy “Body Do.”

Other highlights

Toronto artist Jessie Reyez was captivating during her spellbinding set. Performing songs like “Mutual Friend” and “Still C U,” she spoke about her hardships breaking through in the music industry, which included being taken advantage of both financially while being sexually harassed by a producer. The experience inspired songs like “Gatekeeper,” which, even years later, she sang like it just happened. Her voice was raw with emotion. Reyez ended on a high note, with new single, “Jeans.”

Backed by a full band, Pink Sweat$ sang in his signature falsetto on “Pink Money” and “17,” before ending with single “Honesty.” His bubbly personality made his set engaging and entertaining.

Self-proclaimed “King of R&B” Jacquees perform bits of his many popular songs, rather than focus on any one song. The Atlanta native’s medley included “What’s On Your Mind,” “B.E.D.” and “At The Club.” He was in good spirits and did some dancing to each song, supported by two back-up dancers.

Coco Jones‘ beautifully rich voice complemented each song the Nashville artist performed, such as “Spend It,” “No Chaser,” “Double Back” and a cover of SWV’s “Rain.” Jones then brought up Arin Ray, who’d performed earlier in the day, to dance before concluding with “ICU.”

Follow Mel Bowman at Twitter.com/melmichel and Instagram.com/coco_michel_coco. Follow photographer Marisela Delgado at Twitter.com/mariseladee and Instagram.com/mariseladee.