The tour officially began on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, as rising R&B artist Fia took the stage at the intimate The Observatory for the first stop of his new tour. With a packed crowd eager to experience the launch night, the evening delivered smooth vocals, nostalgic covers, and heartfelt moments that highlighted both Fia’s artistry and the community of musicians supporting him on the road.
Before the headliner took the spotlight, fans were treated to two opening sets that helped set the tone for a night dedicated to classic and modern R&B.
CHANTE Sets the Mood
The evening began with a performance from CHANTE, whose smooth delivery immediately warmed up the room. Opening with a rendition of Smooth Criminal, CHANTE quickly captured the audience’s attention before transitioning into original songs including “Next to You” and “Lost in Love.”
One of the most memorable moments of the set came when CHANTE performed Bartender by T-Pain. The nostalgic hit instantly sparked a singalong throughout the venue, with fans dancing and shouting the lyrics together. The energy in the room continued to build as the set closed, setting the stage for the next performer.
Johnny Suite Returns to the Observatory Stage
Next up was Johnny Suite, who delivered a heartfelt performance that mixed smooth ballads with personal storytelling. Performing songs such as “Man You Need” and “Cutie Fasho,” Johnny Suite showed off his vocal range while keeping the crowd engaged.
During his set, he shared a personal milestone with the audience, explaining that he had been happily married for three years and was completely “obsessed” with his wife. That sentiment carried into his performance of “God Gave Me You,” which felt especially meaningful given the story behind it.
Johnny Suite also reflected on how special the venue was for him. He revealed that the last time he was at the Observatory back in 2013, he wasn’t performing — he was working security. Now, more than a decade later, he stood on that same stage as the artist. The crowd responded warmly as he thanked them for supporting his journey.
Fia Takes the Stage
When it was finally time for Fia to take the spotlight, the room erupted with cheers. From the start of his set, the singer delivered a blend of his original songs and beloved R&B covers, keeping the atmosphere intimate and interactive. Fia has always been an engaging performer that holds the audience captive.
Among the highlights were performances of his originals including “Let Me Hold You Tonight,” “Take Me,” “All About You,” “Sweet Candy Apple,” “Tricky Girl,” and “Fly Away.” Each track showcased his smooth vocal tone and romantic lyricism, perfectly suited for the close-knit venue.
Fia also paid tribute to some of the artists who influenced his sound. During the night, he performed covers including I Wanna Know and Residuals by Chris Brown, Folded by Kehlani, Snooze by SZA, and You Got It Bad by Usher.
He also spoke openly about being a huge fan of Chris Brown, which led into a performance of “Residuals”.
Special Moments and Collaborations
One standout moment came when CHANTE returned to the stage to join Fia for their collaboration “Escape.” The chemistry between the two performers added another layer of energy to the show and gave fans a taste of the musical partnership that helped kick off the night. Johnny Suite also came out to perform “Threat (Fall in Love)” with Fia to add more spice to the track that originally features The Green.
Later in the set, Fia surprised fans with a creative twist during “Love Me,” briefly blending in Treasure by Bruno Mars, which gave the performance a funky and playful vibe.
A Promising Start to the Tour
As the first stop of the tour, the Santa Ana concert felt very personal. The crowd at The Observatory responded to every note, singalong moment, and heartfelt story, creating the perfect atmosphere for opening night.
