“The microphones are on”: Maxwell tour brings R&B back to the forefront

Maxwell's Serenade Tour comes to Indianapolis this month.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Maxwell announced that the Serenade 2024 North American Tour will stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on October 9th. Maxwell will be joined on stage by special guest two-time Grammy winner Jazmine Sullivan and rising singer-songwriter October London.

Maxwell previously toured with Sullivan in 2008 for her debut album, but said it was incredible to be on the road with her again, with an artist like October London, who Maxwell described as new to the scene, but refreshing.

“What they (the audience) would like to take away is what they brought to me,” Maxwell said, “which is validation, a sense of belonging, a sense that I'm not alone.”

With the Serenade Tour emphasizing and bringing R&B back to the forefront, each artist is in their element.

“On this tour, the mics are on,” London said, emphasizing the importance of real singing without the help of autotune or “a lot of extra stuff.”

“You can’t force this creative process and making R&B,” London said. “We just wanted to bring it back and still pay tribute to all the other artists we grew up with.”

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Over the course of the tour, Maxwell will have the opportunity to delve deeper into his own catalog of music and perform songs that have not yet been played live. The artistic side of him – that just wants to make music to see who might relate to it, no matter what – is always “pleasantly tickled” when audiences get excited about hearing songs they've never heard before heard live.

London is also premiering new music on the Serenade Tour, as his latest album, October Nights, is set for release in October. The London setlist includes two new songs from the album: “A Beautiful Woman” and “Touch on Me”.

This tour marks the return to Indianapolis for both Maxwell and London. The latter said he was looking forward to returning to see new faces, have fun and get to know the audience.

“I've been there a few times and the atmosphere is always great,” said Maxwell, “and an understanding of music and its historical value is at the forefront of the people of Indianapolis.” It's always so easy to do what we do because they value songs and traditions. They appreciate music.”

Another thing that makes this tour special is the marriage proposals, London said.

“We’re doing two or three marriage proposals on this tour,” London said. “Those were very special moments when you saw people swaying to the music and also got the chance to come over and get on your knees. It is very nice.”

“The Serenade Tour” ends in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 9th at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit Gainbridgefieldhouse.com/events/detail/maxwell

Contact arts and culture reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.