Ledisi and Marsha: “Love You Too” Tour Ignites Columbia
- CUBNSC
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
By Javar Juarez | Columbia Urban Broadcast Network (CUBNSC)
Sunday night was electric in Columbia, South Carolina, as the Township Auditorium welcomed two of the most soulful voices in contemporary R&B—Marsha Ambrosius and Ledisi—for what was Ledisi’s first-ever full feature performance in the Capital City. The “Love You Too” Tour brought out a packed house, buzzing with anticipation and steeped in cultural resonance.
Marsha Ambrosius: Spirit-Filled and Soul-Centered
Opening the night was Marsha Ambrosius, the Liverpool-born singer-songwriter formerly of Floetry and the pen behind Michael Jackson’s hit “Butterflies.” But what she offered Sunday night wasn’t just vocal excellence—it was spiritual engagement.
“I can feel the ancestors here,” she said mid-set, pausing to reflect on the energy of the space. “Whatever that spirit is—we have to move past it. Good vibes only.”
Ambrosius’ set was soulful and commanding. She took the audience to church with raw, emotional delivery before sliding into sultry R&B mode, performing fan favorites like “Late Nights & Early Mornings” and “Wet.” Her pitch-perfect, emotionally intelligent performance was nothing short of remarkable. And when she belted out a tribute to Patti LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew,” it became abundantly clear—Marsha had conquered the room.
Whether knowingly or not, Ambrosius tapped into the heavy historical weight of the Township Auditorium, located just steps from the Hampton-Preston Mansion, once owned by one of the largest enslavers in the country. The very ground beneath her feet carries the stories of Black resistance, including the 1946 Southern Negro Youth Congress—an event led by Modjeska Simkins and featuring civil rights icon Paul Robeson—where over 2,500 people gathered to strike a blow to Jim Crow.
Ledisi: A Jazzy Giant with Room to Grow
Headliner Ledisi took the stage with undeniable presence but admitted early on that she was battling a head cold. While her effort to connect with the crowd was earnest, there was a noticeable gap between artist and audience when it came to her new material.
“Too bad y’all don’t know the song,” she quipped during “Day Dreaming.” “We could party together, but maybe next time.”
It was a surprising tone from the Grammy-winning singer known for her warmth and vocal agility. For many in the audience, including myself, this was our first time seeing Ledisi live—and it felt like she never fully found her footing in Columbia.
That said, her classics still hit home. Songs like “Pieces of Me” reminded us why Ledisi remains a powerhouse in the R&B and soul scene. Her jazzy, gospel-infused style shone through even when her voice faltered, and diehard fans in the audience cheered her on, rooting for her with every note.
Her background vocalists struggled to match the room’s acoustics during a tribute segment honoring Frankie Beverly and Columbia’s own late, great Angie Stone, adding to the sense that this venue may have gotten the better of them—for now.
Epilogue
Despite a few missteps, Ledisi’s new songs—“Day Dreaming” and the title track “Love You Too”—show real promise. With time, they’ll likely become staples in her catalog. We hope to see her return to Columbia, full voice and fully connected, because the city is ready to embrace her all over again.
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