No massive wait this time because Erykah Badu is coming to St. Paul on June 30

The empress of neo-soul's 2021 Armory concert was magical — 20 years after her previous local headline gig.

April 17, 2023 at 7:25PM
Erykah Badu, pictured at the Armory in 2021, is coming to Xcel Energy Center on June 30 (Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Erykah Badu, the high priestess of neo-soul, hasn't released a proper album since 2010. But she's headlining Xcel Energy Center on June 30 as part of her Unfollow Me Tour.

Known for the 1990s hits "Tyrone" and "On & On," Badu was a mesmerizing presence in 2021 at the Armory in her biggest Twin Cities appearance; the magical performance was one of the top concerts of the year. She hadn't headlined here since 2001.

The "Bag Lady" hitmaker is undertaking a 25-city tour, which commences on June 11 in San Antonio.

Like David Bowie and Prince before her, and Beyoncé and Janelle Monáe after her, Badu is one of pop music's marvelous visionaries. In addition to being an innovative musician and occasional actor, the Dallas-launched artist is known for her arresting sense of fashion and her line of products, including her cannabis accessories and lifestyle brands.

Opening for Badu will be Yasiin Bey, the rapper/actor/visual artist.

Badu's music is the subject of the tribute album, "On & On," by Minneapolis-reared jazz artist José James.

Xcel Energy Center tickets will go on sale at 2:22 p.m. Thursday at unfollowmetour.com and ticketmaster.com. No prices have been announced.

about the writer

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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