House of Blues Houston was the place to be on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, as JoJo’s Too Much To Say Tour took over the stage. With Emmy Meli as the opener and a full house crowd ready to experience powerhouse vocals and R&B, the night was unforgettable.
Before JoJo took the spotlight, Emmy Meli warmed up the crowd, kicking off her set with an unreleased track she had previously teased on TikTok. Fans are already hoping for an unofficial release soon as she performed the full version of the song, showering the crowd with her impressive vocals and charismatic and playful energy.
“I’m Emmy Meli! How are you doing tonight? Who’s excited to see JoJo?” she asked, met with roaring cheers. “I get excited to see her every single day. Well, I’m so excited to be here with you tonight because the majority of my set is brand-new music, and you’re the first people to ever hear it live. I’m just so excited!”
She didn’t disappoint, performing a string of new tracks, including “GODS FAV,” set to drop on March 14. Crowd favorites included “Breakthrough” and “I AM WOMAN,” the latter closing out her set with an empowering punch that had the audience singing along.
The anticipation for JoJo’s entrance was palpable as “off again” began playing through the speakers–except it kept looping and then turned off abruptly. Fans exchanged looks, speculating what was going on. After a few moments, JoJo’s voice reassured them through the speakers:
“Houston! We are experiencing technical difficulties! Just trying to give you THE best show possible. So, if you could just be patient with me–thank you so much! I love you, and I can’t wait to see you!” – JoJo
Cue the crowd erupting in cheers. And once “off again” played in full, the show was officially on.
JoJo delivered, blending her signature powerhouse vocals with an effortless stage presence. A highlight of the night? Her cover of Drake’s “Marvins Room,” with the entire venue singing along, turning House of Blues into a choir of heartbreak and nostalgia. Other standouts included “Nobody,” “Think About You” and “Ready To Love.
“Houston! Does anybody here have my new EP, NGL?” she asked, hyping up the crowd. “If this next one is your favorite, I want you to sing it!” before launching into “Start Over.”
Mid-set, JoJo switched things up, promising a section dedicated to love songs she adores. She shouted out SZA–”Nobody writes them like her!”–before launching into “Love Galore.” The throwbacks kept coming with SWV’s “Weak” and Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control.”
Then came one of the night’s most special moments. While performing “Weak,” JoJo invited two fans, Kendrick and Ciara, onstage to join her. Ciara, in particular, blew everyone away, hitting soulful notes that even left JoJo stunned.
When the opening notes of “Leave (Get Out)” rang through the speakers, the venue lost it. Jojo playfully remarked, “Houston, you know this one?” as the audience belted every lyric. She seamlessly transitioned into “Too Little Too Late,” giving the song a fresh new spin, yet still keeping the nostalgia intact. And yes, she made sure the crowd screamed, “I have so much to give!” before taking it home.
JoJo wrapped up the night with “Porcelain” from NGL, which features the iconic sample of Luke’s “I Wanna Rock,” making sure Houston left on a high.
“You have been the perfect audience tonight! Thank you so much! Give it to my band one more time!” she said, sending one last “I love you!” before disappearing backstage.
Despite the technical difficulties, JoJo turned it around like a pro, proving why she remains one of the most respected voices in R&B. Houston showed up, sang their hearts out, and left feeling every bit of the magic that only a JoJo show can bring.
I am a creative based in Houston, Texas. I am a University of Houston Alumni working as a Marketing and Communications Specialist for a local agency. I enjoy discovering new music, regardless of genre, as music is the universal language. In my free time, I enjoy thrifting and discovering new stories waiting to be explored.
