Behind the Vibes: An All-Access Experience at Bobby Brown’s Ladies Night Concert in Pittsburgh
- Juli "Candi" Long
- Dec 30, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2024
When my good friend Tobias hit me up about a last-minute trip to Pittsburgh for an all-access backstage experience at Bobby Brown’s Ladies Night concert, I knew I had to make it happen. Tobias, who works in concert production for some big names, has been one of my biggest supporters since way back in my early adulthood days. Over the years, he’s hooked me up with gigs, concert passes, and opportunities that I’m forever grateful for.
This time was no different. Tobias, being the amazing person he is, thought of me—his homegirl, pretty girl, MsiCandi—and asked if I’d be down for the trip. With Bobby Brown headlining alongside opening acts Ginuwine and Jagged Edge, it was an easy “yes!” I rearranged my schedule, reached out to my cohost Mocha, and we started planning for what was sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Setting the Scene
These experiences are always unpredictable- some artists keep it tight, others are more relaxed! I always go in with the mindset to be respectful of everyone’s space and the process. After all, I know what it’s like to be in that environment—I’m here to admire the art, enjoy the moment, and remain professional.
With that said, the last few times I’ve been lucky enough to get this level of access, I’ve been treated incredibly well. I’m always grateful for the opportunities, and this time was no exception. Tobias, being the pro he is, had everything lined up for us. He let me know which hotel the crew was staying at to make the transition seamless. So, we booked a room at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Pittsburgh, packed up for a quick one-night trip, and hit the road.
The Day of the Trip: Balancing Supermom and Travel Vibes
Before heading out on our girls’ trip, I had to make sure everything was squared away at home. Being the supermom that I am, I arranged something extra special for my son Cairo. As many of you know, Cairo is autistic and very attached to me, so I wanted to make sure he had a fun distraction while I was away. Thankfully, his school had gifted us two tickets to the Bengals game, and it was perfect timing for his very first game. His dad stepped up to take him, and let me tell you—my baby was beyond excited! Here’s a quick picture of Cairo ready for game day. (And the Bengals won, so shout out to my whole team for making this happen!)
Now, heading to Pittsburgh—home of the Steelers, rivals of the Bengals—was interesting, to say the least. Fun fact for my football fans out there!
Road Trip Ready
Once we had our girl Robin on board (who’s always down for a trip), it was officially on and popping! We decided to share a room because that’s just what girlfriends do on a quick trip, period. Robin, who’s an OG party girl, entrepreneur, boss diva, brought her A-game as always.
The four-and-a-half-hour drive to Pittsburgh was smooth and full of vibes. Robin came through with snacks, including her famous salmon salad—it’s like tuna salad, but made with salmon instead—and let me just say, it was chef’s kiss! We also prepped for the trip with charcuterie boards from my girl Tasha of Little Bits and Bites, and they were perfect for keeping us fueled and fancy on the road. Drinks, snacks, and good vibes all around made the drive fly by.
Arriving in Pittsburgh: A Tour and a Soundcheck Delay
As soon as we got to Pittsburgh, we headed straight to the concert venue. Tobias had already sent me the location and parking details, so we wanted to scope everything out. You know how concert parking can be—sometimes chaotic and always expensive—so we wanted to make sure we were prepared. Luckily, Tobias came through again and provided parking for us, making it a seamless experience.
Soundcheck was originally scheduled for 2:00 PM but got pushed back to 3:00 PM. So, with a little extra time on our hands, we took the opportunity to explore the venue and get a behind-the-scenes tour.
A Hotel Surprise: Running into Bobby Brown
After wrapping up our tour of the venue, we decided to head to the hotel and see if we could check in early. You know how hotel check-ins are—usually not until 3:00 PM—but we rolled up around 2:00 and lucked out! The staff was super accommodating, and our wonderful attendant Marty got us checked in with no problem.
We didn’t stay in the room long, though. Mocha and Robin headed back down to the car while I took a quick moment to freshen up. Gotta stay cute, right? And then… it happened.
As I was taking the elevator down, the doors opened, and guess who was standing there? Bobby Brown himself. Yes, y’all—the Bobby Brown. To say I played it cool might be a stretch, but I did my best. I greeted him, and he said, “Hey,” right back to me. I kept it brief, knowing we’d see him again at soundcheck, but whew, what a moment!
The Soundcheck: Behind The Scenes
The drive back to the venue was smooth, and since we’d already been there earlier for our tour, the staff recognized us, making the entrance process a breeze. Walking into an empty venue was surreal—seeing the transition from bare seats to what would soon be a packed, lively concert was an experience in itself.
We found seats in the empty stands and watched the magic unfold. The band was tuning their instruments, the production crew was testing mics and adjusting sound levels, and the lighting crew was working their magic with fog machines and spotlights. It was chaotic, yet fascinating. You could hear the crew shouting things like, “Check, check, one-two, one-two!” and various instructions flying back and forth.
At one point, we got to watch the background singers rehearse several songs, including "Good Enough". By the time they were done, we felt like we were part of the crew—we knew all the background parts by heart! So when Bobby Brown finally arrived to do his soundcheck, we were ready.
Bobby’s Arrival and a Private Show
When Bobby stepped onto the stage, the first thing he did was spot us sitting in the audience. He waved, and let me tell you, we felt like VIPs at that moment. It was like a private concert just for us.
One of the funniest moments of the soundcheck was when the music suddenly stopped mid-song. Mocha was in her own world and kept singing (loud and off key lol), Bobby noticed, laughed, and shook his head, and we couldn’t help but crack up too. It was one of those candid, behind-the-scenes moments that made the experience even more special. Mocha was a good sport about it as well.
Watching the dancers rehearse their routines and the band fine-tune every detail was a treat. Seeing all the separate elements—the lighting, sound, dancers, background singers, and Bobby himself—come together gave us a whole new appreciation for the effort that goes into a live show. By the time the soundcheck ended, we were buzzing with excitement for what was to come.
Glammed Up and Ready for Ladies Night
After the soundcheck, it was time to head back to the hotel, freshen up, and get fabulous for Ladies Night! The day before, Mocha—who also happens to double as my stylist—helped me pick out the perfect outfit during a shopping trip to Akira. I went with a stunning sheer black top adorned with crystals, paired with tight faux leather pants and combat boots. The look was equal parts chic and functional because, let’s be real, you don’t go to a Bobby Brown concert without planning to dance.
Once hair, makeup, and outfits were on point, we headed downstairs to the hotel bar where the crew was chilling. Turns out, they weren’t set to leave for the venue until 8:45 PM—even though the show started at 8:00 PM. We decided to stay and enjoy a pregame drink with the crew, Bobby included, before making our way to the venue.
Finding Our Seats and the Vibe
We arrived at the venue early to soak in the full Ladies Night experience. Our VIP wristbands gave us all-access privileges, allowing us to move backstage and around the venue. But we also had tickets with excellent seats: front row on the top level, dead center. The view was chef’s kiss—no one blocking us, and we could see everything clearly.
We settled in to watch Ginuwine and Jagged Edge from our seats. Both acts brought the energy, and the crowd was loving it! After their performances, we decided to stretch our legs, grab drinks, and mingle a bit before Bobby took the stage.
The Bad Boy of R&B: Mr. Bobby Brown
For Bobby’s performance, I decided to switch things up. I spent part of the first song in the production area with Tobias and one of his colleagues (whose name I, unfortunately, can’t remember—so many names that day!). They were working the boards, and it was fascinating to see them in action, fine-tuning the show from behind the scenes.
But the fan in me couldn’t resist getting closer to the stage, so I maneuvered my way to the front to party with the other fans. And let me tell you—Bobby Brown did not disappoint. From the soundcheck earlier in the day to the full production that night, everything was flawless.
The lights, the fog machines, the dancers, the band, the background singers—it all came together in an electrifying performance that had the crowd on their feet. It was amazing to see the raw elements during soundcheck transformed into a full spectacle with fans screaming, the energy soaring, and everyone dancing like no one was watching.
A Diverse Crowd, A Universal Love
One thing that stood out to me was the diversity of the crowd. Young, old, black, white, Latino, Asian—it didn’t matter. Bobby Brown brought everyone together. Seeing so many different people vibing to the same music was a beautiful thing.
We danced, partied, and sang our hearts out. Two days later, I’m still feeling it! Bobby Brown gave an unforgettable performance, and I couldn’t have asked for a better Ladies Night experience.
The Afterparty Vibes
As soon as Bobby took his final bow, we made our way backstage to connect with the crew and prepare to head back to the hotel. Along the way, we got a chance to meet Jagged Edge—yes, the Jagged Edge—and they were super nice. We also chatted with some of Bobby’s background singers and members of the production crew about what was next for the evening. In true hospitality fashion, we even offered one of the background singers a ride back to the hotel with us so he wouldn’t have to wait around.
Once we arrived back at the hotel, the vibe was still lively. The crew was gathered in the lobby with food—and drinks—and being the foodies we are, we joined right in! It was such a chill, welcoming atmosphere, with everyone eating, chatting, and recapping the night.
From Party Glam to Pajama Chic
After hanging in the lobby for a while, I decided it was time to change out of my party attire. Let’s be real—if I’m going to kick it late into the night, I need to be comfortable. Thanks to my amazing friend Tobias, who hooked us up with two extra hotel rooms (thanks to some crew members leaving early), we didn’t have to share anymore. Each of us had our own space, which was such a treat.
I went up to my room, slipped into my cheetah-print silk pajamas—very TLC-style—and headed back downstairs. Now fully cozy, I was ready to kick it with the crew a little longer. There’s something about hanging out in a relaxed setting after such a high-energy event that just hits different.
An Unforgettable Night
Heading back down to the hotel lobby bar area to kick it with the crew was simply indescribable. There are no words that truly capture how incredible the vibe was—it was beyond amazing. We laughed, we talked, we vibed, and we even snagged pictures and videos with the Bobby Brown. Let me tell you, he was such a good sport about everything, and it was surreal to just hang out with the king of R&B in such a relaxed and genuine setting.
The night was filled with good food (pizza and chicken wings!), drinks, and unforgettable conversations. I had the chance to network, fellowship, and connect with some truly incredible people. One highlight? I was invited to check out the upcoming New Edition residency in Las Vegas, which is a trip I’m definitely looking forward to. Fingers crossed that everything works out, because that would be another dream come true.
Reflections on an Epic Trip
This entire experience was nothing short of magical. From seeing the behind-the-scenes magic of an amazing production to meeting and vibing with incredible people—both on stage and off—it was a journey I’ll never forget. And to top it all off, I got to hang out with the bad boy of R&B himself, Mr. Bobby Brown.
This trip was everything I could’ve hoped for and more: amazing, epic, a true dream come true. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store.
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