Cincinnati Music Festival 2026 fills Paycor Stadium with R&B and hip‑hop acts

The 2026 Cincinnati Music Festival took place over a weekend at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati, drawing fans from across the Midwest to the Queen City.

The lineup featured an opening night with DJ Spinderella, Talib Kweli and local DJ Vader. Friday’s shows included Ledisi, Nelly, Charlie Wilson—who performed after a recent stroke—and Tyrese. Saturday was headlined by Mary J. Blige and also showcased Heatwave, Doug E. Fresh with Slick Rick, SWV and Trey Songz, delivering a mix of R&B, hip‑hop and soul.